Longevity & Cellular Renewal
GHK-Cu
Copper tripeptide-1
Copper Tripeptide-1 (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Cu²⁺)
Research context
GHK is a tripeptide present in human plasma whose concentration declines with chronological age. Its copper complex has been characterised in collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis assays in fibroblast culture. Broader transcriptomic work has reported expression changes across large numbers of human genes in cultured cells.
Common assays: Collagen synthesis quantification · Fibroblast gene expression profiling · Metal-binding characterisation
Specification
| Designation | Copper tripeptide-1 |
|---|---|
| Full name | Copper Tripeptide-1 (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Cu²⁺) |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys · Cu²⁺ |
| CAS number | 89030-95-5 |
| Molecular formula | C14H24N6O4·Cu |
| Molecular weight | 403.94 g/mol |
| Formats | 10 mL Vial · 15 mL Advanced Liquid Peptide Spray |
| Solubility | Sterile water, bacteriostatic water |
| Storage | Lyophilised: 2–8 °C, protected from light |
| Regulatory status | Not an approved drug. Injectable forms were removed from FDA 503A Category 2 in April 2026 and await advisory committee review; non-injectable forms are listed in Category 1. 2026 status by compound → |
| Current lot | GHK50N0426 → |
GHK-Cu COA: certificates of analysis by lot
3 lots of GHK-Cu have a published certificate of analysis from AxisPharm, LLC, an independent laboratory. Each certificate reports the laboratory's results for that lot.
| Lot | Format | Purity (HPLC-UV) | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHK50N0426 | 50 mg Spray | >99.1% | 2026-05-11 |
| GHK50V1225C | 50 mg Vial | >99% | 2025-12-17 |
| GHK50N1125 | 50 mg Spray | >99.0% | 2025-11-13 |
Published literature
Selected peer-reviewed references describing research involving this compound. Listed for reference only; inclusion is not a claim about any outcome.
- Pickart L, Margolina A.Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene dataInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2018 Find on PubMed ↗
- Pickart L.The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodelingJournal of Biomaterials Science, Polymer Edition · 2008 Find on PubMed ↗
Common questions
Why is GHK supplied as a copper complex?
GHK has high affinity for copper(II), and the copper-bound form is the species characterised in most of the published literature. The complex is also more stable in storage than the free peptide.
How is the copper complex confirmed?
By mass. The copper-bound complex and the free tripeptide differ in molecular weight, so LC-MS distinguishes them directly — the published lot record shows the detected mass.
Where can I see the GHK-Cu certificate of analysis?
Every published GHK-Cu lot has its own certificate page on this site, listed under "GHK-Cu COA" above. There are 3 published lots; the most recent, lot GHK50N0426, was reported on 2026-05-11 at >99.1% purity by HPLC-UV. The certificates are issued by AxisPharm, LLC, an independent laboratory.
Components, blends and pathway
Related compounds
KLOW
BPC-157 / TB-500 / GHK-Cu / KPV
A prepared four-component blend combining repair-signalling and cytokine-pathway compounds.
GHK-Cu / KPV
Peptide blend
A prepared blend combining a copper tripeptide with the α-MSH C-terminal fragment.
NAD+
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
The central redox cofactor of cellular metabolism and substrate for sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38.
MOTS-C
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
A 16-residue peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome, studied in AMPK signalling.