GHK-Cu
Animal-onlyCopper tripeptide-1 · Copper peptide GHK · Gly-His-Lys copper · Prezatide copper acetate · GHK-copper
Limited evidence: the strongest curated study is Animal-only; no human-trial data found as of 2026-06-04.
Chemical & identity
- Sequence
- GHK
- Length
- 3 residues
- Molecular formula
- C14H21CuN6O4-
- Molecular weight
- 400.9 g/mol · PubChem
- PubChem CID
- 139035031 · PubChem
- SMILES
- C1=C(N=CN1)C[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)[O-])[N-]C(=O)C[NH-].[Cu+2]
- InChIKey
- LREZPQNYQZAPJC-ACMTZBLWSA-L
- Category
- Cosmetic/Regenerative
Chemical/structural fields are auto-pulled and source-linked.
Mechanism (curated)
No established mechanism of action has been curated yet.
Research
Fu SC et al. · Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · 2015 · Animal study
A randomized controlled study in 72 rats compared intra-articular injections of the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu at two doses (0.3 or 3 mg/ml) versus saline following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). GHK-Cu groups showed reduced knee laxity at 6 weeks post-operation compared to saline, and the 0.3 mg/ml group demonstrated higher graft stiffness at 6 weeks, but these benefits were not sustained at 12 weeks post-operation. No significant differences were found in ultimate load, gait parameters, or histological scores among treatment groups, and all grafts failed mid-substance during pull-out testing. The authors conclude that intra-articular GHK-Cu improved early graft healing following ACLR in rats, but effects did not persist after treatment discontinuation.
Jiang F et al. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology · 2023 · In-vitro study
This study investigated the combined effect of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid (HA) on collagen synthesis using human dermal fibroblasts and an ex-vivo skin model. GHK-Cu and HA together promoted collagen I, IV, and VII expression, with a synergistic effect on collagen IV specifically. At a 1:9 ratio with low molecular weight HA, the combination increased collagen IV synthesis 25.4-fold in cell tests and 2.03-fold in ex-vivo skin tests. The authors conclude that the combination may support dermal-epidermal junction health through collagen IV stimulation.
Ma WH et al. · Life sciences · 2020 · Animal study
GHK-Cu (a copper complex of the tripeptide GHK) was tested in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Mice were treated with GHK-Cu at doses of 0.2, 2, or 20 μg/g/day administered intraperitoneally on alternate days. GHK-Cu reduced inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, MPO activity), decreased collagen deposition, inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and modulated multiple signaling pathways (Nrf2, NF-κB, TGFβ1/Smad2/3). The authors conclude GHK-Cu has protective effects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis through anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms.
Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity · 2012 · Narrative review
This narrative review discusses the tripeptide GHK and its copper complex (GHK-Cu) as a potential therapeutic agent for age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. The authors note that GHK was discovered in 1973 for its ability to stimulate protein synthesis in aged liver tissue, and it forms a complex with copper ions. The review states that GHK possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, and recent studies report its ability to regulate human genes relevant to neuronal development and maintenance. The authors propose GHK-Cu as a compound that may address oxidative stress, copper homeostasis, and neuroinflammation implicated in neurodegenerative conditions.
Wen H et al. · Biogerontology · 2026 · Animal study
This study examined GHK-Cu (glycine-histidine-lysine complexed with copper) in Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism study. GHK-Cu extended lifespan and improved multiple aging-related phenotypes including stress resistance, motility, and reduced lipid accumulation. Mechanistically, GHK-Cu preserved mitochondrial function by increasing membrane potential, reducing fragmentation, and promoting ATP production. GHK-Cu also activated DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathways and upregulated multiple antioxidant genes.
Wang X et al. · Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society · 2017 · Animal study
This study evaluated GHK-Cu-liposomes (GHK-Cu encapsulated in nanoscaled liposomes) for wound healing in mice with scald burns and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. In cell culture, GHK-Cu-liposomes increased HUVEC proliferation by 33.1%, altered cell cycle progression, and enhanced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, and cell cycle proteins. In a mouse scald wound model, GHK-Cu-liposomes showed better angiogenesis than free GHK-Cu, increased markers of endothelial cells (CD31) and proliferation (Ki67), and shortened wound healing time to 14 days post-injury. The authors conclude GHK-Cu-liposomes could be developed as a treatment for skin wounds.
Mazzola J et al. · 2026 · Animal study
This animal study examined how GHK-Cu, an endogenous copper-peptide complex with reported regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, affects cognitive aging in aged C57BL/6J mice (20–21 months old). Mice received GHK-Cu either via short-term intraperitoneal injection (5 days) or longer-term intranasal administration (8 weeks). Intranasal GHK-Cu improved escape latency in a spatial learning task across multiple trials in both sexes and altered hippocampal protein markers and gene expression patterns; intraperitoneal dosing showed transient improvement in males only and activated different molecular pathways. The authors conclude that GHK-Cu improves cognitive function through distinct biological mechanisms depending on delivery route and exposure duration.
Hu J, Zhang C, Wang F · European journal of pharmacology · 2026 · Animal study
This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of GHK-Cu (a bioactive tripeptide complex) in zebrafish larvae exposed to copper sulfate (CuSO₄) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute inflammation. GHK-Cu decreased neutrophil and macrophage migration, suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines (tnf-α, il-1β, il-6), and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine il-10. The peptide also reduced oxidative stress markers (nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species) while enhancing superoxide dismutase activity, and pathway analysis showed downregulation of the JAK1 pathway. The authors conclude that GHK-Cu has dual anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.
Animal-onlyPark JR et al. · Oncotarget · 2016 · Animal study
This study examined GHK-Cu, a tripeptide-copper complex, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) using both in vitro and animal models. In RAW 264.7 macrophages (in vitro), GHK-Cu reduced reactive oxygen species production, increased superoxide dismutase activity, and decreased TNF-α and IL-6 production through suppression of NF-κB p65 and p38 MAPK signaling. In an LPS-induced ALI mouse model, GHK-Cu attenuated lung histological alterations and suppressed inflammatory cell infiltration. The authors conclude that GHK-Cu possesses protective effects in LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting excessive inflammatory responses and may represent a novel therapeutic approach for ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Mao S et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025 · Animal study
This study evaluated GHK-Cu in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced mouse model of ulcerative colitis. GHK-Cu alleviated disease activity, reduced inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), promoted mucosal repair, and increased tight junction protein expression (ZO-1, Occludin). The mechanism involved upregulation of SIRT1 and suppression of phosphorylated STAT3, with STAT3 silencing experiments confirming STAT3's role in mucosal healing effects. In vitro studies using mouse colonic epithelial cells and macrophages corroborated the mucosal healing and anti-inflammatory effects.
Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data.
Animal-onlyPickart L, Margolina A · International journal of molecular sciences · 2018 · Narrative review
This narrative review discusses the human peptide GHK (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) and its reported biological actions. According to the authors, GHK stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, increases collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and supports dermal fibroblast function. The review claims GHK has demonstrated tissue repair capacity in skin, lung connective tissue, bone, liver, and stomach lining, and reports cell protective actions including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, DNA repair, and anti-anxiety effects. The authors suggest recent genetic data may explain these diverse actions through multiple regulated biochemical pathways.
Deng M et al. · Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2023 · Other
This study compared plasma GHK levels in COPD patients (n=9) versus healthy controls (n=11), finding significantly lower levels in COPD patients and associations with muscle area and inflammatory markers. GHK-Cu was tested in both C2C12 myotubes (in vitro) and cigarette smoke-exposed mice (in vivo), showing rescue of muscle dysfunction through increased myosin expression, reduced atrophy markers, improved mitochondrial content, and enhanced oxidative stress resistance. In mice, GHK-Cu treatment (0.2 and 2 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced smoke-induced muscle mass loss, increased muscle cross-sectional area, and improved grip strength. Mechanistically, GHK-Cu directly binds SIRT1 to activate its deacetylase activity, reducing protein degradation via FoxO3a inhibition and increasing antioxidant defense via Nrf2 deacetylation and PGC-1α expression.
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Regulatory status
- FDA approved
- No
- WADA prohibited
- No
- Compounding status
- Widely used as a topical cosmetic ingredient (copper tripeptide-1); not an approved drug.
- Notes
- Not an FDA-approved drug. Commonly used in topical skincare/cosmetic products as copper tripeptide-1, as of 2026-06-04. Not listed on the WADA prohibited list.
Legal/regulatory status varies by jurisdiction and changes over time — accurate as of last review (2026-06-04).
Data sources: Curated IDs (PubChem/UniProt/ChEMBL) + Europe PMC + ClinicalTrials.gov (2026-06-04).
Last reviewed 2026-06-04