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 GHK-Cu acts as a tissue-remodeling and wound-healing signal, enhancing skin regeneration, angiogenesis, and repair while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in experimental models31383, Melanotan I is approved in some regions for prevention of phototoxicity in erythropoietic protoporphyria and is studied as a skin-darkening, photoprotective peptide3444.
While GHK-Cu works as an endogenous tripeptide, Gly-His-Lys, that chelates Cu²⁺ and modulates gene expression, stimulating collagen, elastin, proteoglycan, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis while exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects31383, Melanotan I is a linear 13-amino-acid analog of α-MSH (afamelanotide) that selectively activates MC1R on melanocytes, increasing eumelanin synthesis and providing photoprotection3444.
GHK-Cu
Not assigned in the current dataset.
Melanotan I
POMC
GHK-Cu and Melanotan I are noticeably different, with limited direct overlap in their usual biological context. Both are often discussed in Dermatology and aesthetics contexts, while GHK-Cu is more of a signal peptide and Matrikine and Melanotan I is better described as a hormone peptide. They also influence different molecular systems, with GHK-Cu tracking more closely to Extracellular matrix proteins while Melanotan I centers more on Melanocortin receptor. GHK-Cu has a more natural endogenous origin, while Melanotan I is closer to synthetic analog background and their development context also differs, with GHK-Cu cosmetic grade while Melanotan I is approved for Research use only. Melanotan I incorporates d-amino acid substitution features that are not part of GHK-Cu.