Acetyl tetrapeptide-5
is used in cosmetic eye formulations to decrease puffiness, eye bags, and dark circles by reducing edema and protecting proteins such as SOD from glycation
Alanine
Ala / A · hydrophobic residue · neutral charge
AOD-9604
is studied as an anti-obesity peptide that can reduce weight gain and increase fat oxidation in obese animal models with generally neutral effects on IGF-1 and glucose metabolism in early human trials
Arginine
Arg / R · basic residue · positive charge
Argireline
is a topical cosmetic peptide reported to decrease dynamic wrinkles by partially mimicking the mechanism of botulinum toxin in a non-invasive manner
Asparagine
Asn / N · polar residue · neutral charge
Aspartic acid
Asp / D · acidic residue · negative charge
BPC-157
is investigated for accelerating healing of gastrointestinal mucosa, tendons, ligaments, bone, and nervous tissue in preclinical models, with anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects
Comparison
While AOD-9604 is studied as an anti-obesity peptide that can reduce weight gain and increase fat oxidation in obese animal models with generally neutral effects on IGF-1 and glucose metabolism in early human trials71111115, Melanotan II is studied as a tanning and libido-enhancing agent; increases melanin production and can reduce food intake and modulate sexual arousal in animal models and humans3545.
While AOD-9604 works as a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone corresponding to residues 176–191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine, retaining lipolytic but not growth-promoting actions; proposed to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis in adipose tissue, partly via β3-adrenergic pathways without significantly activating the full GH receptor–IGF-1 axis6171111, Melanotan II is a cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin analog (Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2) that acts as a non-selective, high-potency agonist at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, influencing pigmentation, appetite, and sexual behavior3545.
AOD-9604
GH1
Melanotan II
POMC
Both peptides fall into a similar broad context as Hormone peptides, although the details of how they are used and discussed still diverge. Their typical research and application settings separate fairly clearly: AOD-9604 is more often discussed in the realm of Metabolic and endocrine, whereas Melanotan II is more often associated with the realm of Dermatology and aesthetics and Reproductive health. Their biological logic is quite different: AOD-9604 is a hormone analog, whereas Melanotan II is a receptor agonist. Both are synthetic in origin with AOD-9604 in Preclinical development and Melanotan II approved for Research use only. AOD-9604 takes the form of a linear peptide, whereas Melanotan II is closer to a cyclic peptide, Melanotan II incorporates acetylation features that are not part of AOD-9604; while their sequence patterns also diverge, with AOD-9604 showing hydrophobic domain features and Melanotan II showing protein-mimetic sequence features.
No related articles are linked to these peptides yet.