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 CJC-1295 is used in research to chronically elevate endogenous growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, enabling studies of body composition, metabolic, and anti-aging effects of prolonged GH exposure10, 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 CJC-1295 works as a tetrasubstituted 29-amino-acid analog of GHRH(1–29) that acts as a potent agonist at the GHRH receptor and, in its DAC form, covalently binds serum albumin to extend half-life from minutes to days, resulting in sustained pulsatile GH and IGF-1 increase1082, 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.
CJC-1295
GHRH
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: CJC-1295 is more often discussed in the realm of Metabolic and endocrine and Aging and longevity, whereas Melanotan II is more often associated with the realm of Dermatology and aesthetics and Reproductive health. Both appear to work through Receptor agonist, but the functional emphasis still separates, with CJC-1295 leaning toward Anabolic growth, Lipolysis and fat loss, and Metabolic regulation and Melanotan II leaning toward Melanogenesis modulation. Both are synthetic in origin with CJC-1295 in Preclinical development and Melanotan II approved for Research use only. CJC-1295 takes the form of a peptide conjugate, whereas Melanotan II is closer to a cyclic peptide, CJC-1295 carries d-amino acid substitution features, while Melanotan II instead reflects acetylation changes; while their sequence patterns also diverge, with CJC-1295 showing alpha-helical domain features and Melanotan II showing protein-mimetic sequence features.