GHK-Cu: Safety Profile & Research Summary
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Buy GHK-CU Peptide 100mg24 PubMed CitationsExpert ReviewedLast Reviewed: February 2026
Preclinical Research Summary
Key Preclinical Studies
| Study | Model | Key Findings | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canapp et al. (2003) | Rats โ ischemic open wounds, topical daily ร 13d | Wound size โ 64.5% vs 28.2% control; โ TNF-ฮฑ, MMP-2, MMP-9 | [11] |
| Maquart et al. (1993) | Sprague-Dawley rats โ wound chambers | Dose-dependent โ Collagen I/III, GAGs, DNA content (days 3โ14) | [10] |
| Zhang et al. (2022) | C57BL/6J mice โ CS-induced emphysema, 0.2โ20 mg/kg/day ร 12 wk | Significantly โ airspace enlargement; reversed MMP-9/TIMP-1 imbalance; Nrf2/Keap1 activation | [5] |
| Mao et al. (2025) | BALB/c mice โ DSS-induced colitis, 20 mg/kg oral ร 14d | โ DAI score; mitigated colon shortening; SIRT1/STAT3 mechanism; โ ZO-1/Occludin | [6] |
| Dou et al. (2020) | 28-month-old C57BL/6 mice โ 10 mg/kg, 3-wk design | Significantly faster maze completion; โ inflammation; โ histone deacetylase 2 | [15] |
| Bobyntsev et al. (2015) | Rats โ 0.5 ยตg/kg | Analgesic, anxiolytic effects; aggression reduced 5-fold | [15] |
| Gul et al. (2008) | Rabbits โ full-thickness wounds ร 21โ28d | Faster granulation, improved contraction, increased neovascularization | [17] |
| Cherdakov et al. (2010) | Rats โ bone fractures, 0.5 ยตg/kg ร 10d | Marked โ reparative osteogenesis; โ antioxidant activity | [16] |
Clinical / Human Studies
| Study | Population | Key Results | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photoaged Skin (12-wk) | n=71 women | Laxity, clarity, firmness, fine-line and skin-density endpoints | [19] |
| vs. Vitamin C & Retinoic Acid | n=20 women | Collagen endpoint vs Vitamin C and retinoic acid | [12] |
| Periorbital Wrinkles (12-wk) | n=41 women | Wrinkle endpoints vs placebo and Vitamin K cream | [19] |
| Nano-Lipid Carrier (RCT, 8-wk) | Female volunteers | Wrinkle volume and depth endpoints vs control and Matrixylยฎ 3000 | [18] |
| Skin Hydration (8-wk) | n=30 | Hydration and epidermal/dermal thickness endpoints | [18] |
| Hair Loss โ MDCT | n=7 men | SALT and TSAR endpoints | [13] |
| IBD (12-wk) | n=16 | Disease-severity endpoint | [2] |
Safety Summary
| Parameter | Finding |
|---|---|
| Handling | Handle with standard laboratory PPE. Consult the SDS. |
| Half-Life | ~0.5โ1 hour in plasma; susceptible to carboxypeptidase degradation |
The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body. These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.
For Laboratory Research Only. Not for human use, medical use, diagnostic use, or veterinary use.
ALL ARTICLES AND PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
In Vitro / Preclinical Disclaimer: The research findings described above were observed in laboratory (in vitro) and/or animal model studies. These results may not translate to human outcomes. No claims are made regarding human therapeutic applications.
Educational Use Only: This content summarises published laboratory and clinical literature for research reference only. It is not medical advice.
Editorial Research Note
โPreclinical Research Summary Key Preclinical Studies StudyModelKey FindingsRef Canapp et al.โ
References
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. Cosmetics. 2015;2(3):236-247.
- Pickart L. Journal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition. 2008;19(8):969-988.
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(7):1987.
- Park JR, Lee H, Kim SI, Yang SR. The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. Oncotarget. 2016;7(36):58405-58417.
- Zhang Q, Yan L, Lu J, Zhou X. Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ attenuates cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema and inflammation by reducing oxidative stress pathway. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences. 2022;9:925700.
- Mao S, Huang J, Li J, et al. Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025;16:1551843.
- Campbell JD, McDonough JE, Zeskind JE, et al. A gene expression signature of emphysema-related lung destruction and its reversal by the tripeptide GHK. Genome Medicine. 2012;4(8):67.
- Miller DM, DeSilva D, Pickart L, Aust SD. Effects of glycyl-histidyl-lysyl chelated Cu(II) on ferritin dependent lipid peroxidation. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. 1990;264:79-84.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. BioMed Research International. 2014;2014:151479.
- Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Letters. 1988;238(2):343-346.
- Canapp SO Jr, Farese JP, Schultz GS, et al. Veterinary Surgery. 2003;32(6):515-523.
- Abdulghani AA, Shirin S, Morales-Tapia E, et al. Journal of Dermatological Science. 1998;16(Suppl 1):S214 (abstract).
- Kuceki G, Coppinger AJ, Ragi SD, et al. JAAD International. 2025;20:38-40.
- Pollard JD, Quan S, Kang T, Koch RJ. Effects of copper tripeptide on the growth and expression of growth factors by normal and irradiated fibroblasts. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2005;7(1):27-31.
- Dou Y, Lee A, Zhu L, et al. Aging Pathobiology and Therapeutics. 2020;2(1):58-61.
- Cherdakov VYu, et al. Peptide combination (GHK, Dalargin, Thymogen) promotes reparative osteogenesis in rats with bone fractures. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2010.
- Gul NY, Topal A, Cangul IT, Yanik K. Veterinary Dermatology. 2008;19(1):7-14.
- Badenhorst T, Svirskis D, Merrilees M, et al. Journal of Aging Science. 2016;4(3):166.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:648108.
- Hong Y, Downey T, Eu KW, et al. Clinical & Experimental Metastasis. 2010;27(2):83-90.
- Pickart L, Freedman JH, Loker WJ, et al. Growth-modulating plasma tripeptide may function by facilitating copper uptake into cells. Nature. 1980;288(5792):715-717.
- Simeon A, Emonard H, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX. The tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression by fibroblast cultures. Life Sciences. 2000;67(18):2257-2265.
- Kang YA, Choi HR, Na JI, et al. Copper-GHK increases integrin expression and p63 positivity by keratinocytes. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2009;301(4):301-306.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, et al. Brain Sciences. 2017;7(2):20.
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This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Products are furnished for in-vitro studies only and are not medicines, drugs, or supplements. Not approved by the FDA to prevent, treat, or cure any condition.