GHK-Cu 50mg Extracellular matrix
The most studied copper tripeptide. 99.5%.
- Certificate of analysis
- In stock in France
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Research Use Only (RUO) · Prohibited for human or veterinary use.
Key facts
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine, Cu2+ copper complex) is a tripeptide of 340 Da free, 403 Da complexed with copper, discovered by Loren Pickart in 1973 at the University of San Francisco. It appears in human plasma at approximately 200 ng/ml in young subjects, with a drop of more than 60 % between ages 20 and 60, an observation that motivated forty years of research on its role in tissue repair, wound healing, hair growth and cutaneous longevity. Its short sequence Gly-His-Lys binds Cu2+ ions with exceptional affinity through the histidine imidazole ring and the terminal amine, forming the characteristic blue complex.
Protocol and preparation
| Water added | Concentration | Reading marker |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ml | 50 mg/ml | 10 UI = 5 mg |
| 2 ml | 25 mg/ml | 10 UI = 2,5 mg |
The volume of water does not change the product, only its concentration. Add the water slowly along the vial wall, then swirl without shaking.
Asepsis
Disinfect surfaces and stoppers (70% alcohol).
Solvent
Draw the required volume of bacteriostatic water.
Introduction
Add gently against the vial wall (avoid a direct jet on the powder).
Solubilization
Roll the vial gently. Do not shake vigorously (degradation risk).
Solution storage Once reconstituted: 2-8°C (refrigerator).
Warning Theoretical tool for chemical handling. Does not constitute medical advice.
I open the dilution calculator- The amount of powder looks tiny. A lyophilisate takes up a few millimetres at the bottom of the vial, sometimes just a translucent film. The stated weight is there.
- The powder is compact, stuck to the wall or to the stopper. Transport moves the freeze-dried cake around. It changes nothing to reconstitution.
- The vial carries no individual label. That is our standard packaging, not a downgraded vial.
- After reconstitution, deposits or filaments appear. This is common, especially with small molecules. Let it settle and roll the vial between your palms, never shake it.
- The parcel is plain. Nothing on the outside indicates the contents or the brand name.
What is not normal: a cracked vial, an uncrimped cap or a stopper that moves, powder that has liquefied or changed colour. In those specific cases, write to us with a photo and we take the vial back.
- Topical minoxidil + topical GHK-Cu: effect addition on androgenetic alopecia (mechanisms are distinct: minoxidil acts on potassium channels, GHK-Cu on dermal papilla and collagen)
- Microneedling + GHK-Cu applied immediately: increased penetration, strengthened regenerative effect
- Fractional laser + GHK-Cu post-procedure: reduction of recovery times
This product is not intended for human use. The protocols described are examples drawn from scientific literature, provided strictly for informational purposes for research work on non-human models.
Technical data
- Reconstitution
- 1 ml d'eau → 50 mg/ml. 2 UI = 1 mg ; 4 UI = 2 mg.
- Peptide sequence
- Gly-His-Lys · Cu²⁺
- Molecular formula
- C14H23CuN6O4
- Molecular weight
- 402.92 g/mol
- CAS number
- 89030-95-5
- Physical form
- Poudre lyophilisée bleutée
- Recommended solubility
- Eau bactériostatique, NaCl 0,9%
- Storage conditions
- Au réfrigérateur (+2 à +8 °C), à l'abri de la lumière. En poudre, possible au congélateur pour une conservation longue. Une fois préparé : réfrigérateur, jamais au congélateur.
- Use
- Research reagent, in vitro only (RUO)
Storage & handling
Sealed unreconstituted vialIn the fridge (+2 to +8 °C); for long-term storage (over 3 months), a -20 °C freezer is an option, stability 36 months (copper complex is particularly stable compared to free peptides thanks to chelation). At 2-8 C, stability 18 months. At room temperature (20-25 C), stability 2-3 months, significantly longer than most peptides.
- Loss of blue coloration: complex dissociation, free peptide or precipitated copper (non-toxic but loss of activity).
- Brown or green coloration: oxidation of copper to non-complexed Cu2+ or Cu3+ (toxic form).
- Greenish precipitate: reaction with residual phosphates or chlorides, lost chelation.
- Milky veil: peptide aggregation, hydrolytic degradation.
Recommended aliquotingFor extended use beyond 30 days, prepare 5-10 aliquots of 0.2 ml in 0.5 ml microtubes, frozen at -20 C. Thaw one aliquot as needed, store 7-10 days at 4 C after thawing.
Laboratory documentationReconstitution date, lot, storage conditions, aliquot usage must be systematically recorded in a laboratory logbook for experimental result traceability.
Mechanism of action
The mechanism of GHK-Cu articulates around three axesCopper chelation, extracellular matrix remodelling, and massive transcriptional modulation.
First axis, copper chelation and transport. Free Cu2+ is toxic (Fenton reactions, hydroxyl radicals), but the GHK-Cu complex is stable, diffusible and delivers copper in a targeted manner to copper-dependent metalloenzymes: lysyl oxidase (collagen/elastin crosslinking), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1, antioxidant defence), tyrosinase (controlled melanogenesis), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. This controlled delivery explains why GHK-Cu restores copper-dependent enzymatic functions without metallic toxicity (Pickart & Margolina 2018 Int J Mol Sci).
Second axis, extracellular matrix and tissue regeneration. Maquart 1988 J Clin Invest showed that GHK-Cu at nanomolar concentration stimulates type I collagen synthesis by fibroblasts by 60-200 %, of glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid, heparan sulphate) and proteoglycans. Simeon 2000 Life Sci simultaneously documented the stimulation of matrix repair and the suppression of degradation by MMP-2 and MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteases), a unique profile of constructive rather than destructive remodelling. Pollard 2005 J Biomed Mater Res confirmed the acceleration of cutaneous healing in injured animals and humans.
Fourth axis, stem cells and hair growth. Pyo 2007 Biofactors demonstrated that GHK-Cu activates the hair follicle by stimulating dermal papilla stem cells, increases follicle size, prolongs the anagen phase and inhibits early catagen follicle apoptosis. Daily topical applications at 0.05-0.1 % in liposomal vehicle have been validated in several controlled trichology dermatology studies.
PharmacokineticsThe complex is unstable in plasma (apparent half-life <30 min) but copper is rapidly taken up by target tissues where it is incorporated into copper-dependent enzymes. The biological effect thus persists well beyond plasma presence.
Studies and references
The GHK-Cu literature exceeds 300 PubMed-indexed publications since 1973, including several systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Initial discovery and characterisationPickart 1973 Nature described the effect of young plasma fractions on hepatic restoration, isolating the GHK tripeptide sequence. Pickart & Thaler 1973 Nature New Biology confirmed activity in a purified system. The following 10 years established the exceptional Cu2+ binding (Lau & Sarkar 1981 Biochem J) and tissue distribution.
Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory propertiesMcCormack 2001 Int J Biol Sci (TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6 suppression in LPS-stimulated cultures), Hong 2015 Front Pharmacol (neuroprotection preclinical Alzheimer and Parkinson models, cerebral antioxidant action). Cebrian 2005 J Biol Chem (fibrinogen reduction, anti-thrombotic effect).
Bone and tendon regenerationPollard 2005 J Biomed Mater Res (bone healing acceleration through incorporation in grafts), several studies on tendon matrices repaired with GHK-Cu incorporated.
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- 2Remodelage tissulaireThe human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling
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Frequently asked questions
Why is the reconstituted solution blue?
What is the difference between free GHK and GHK-Cu?
How long to observe an effect on skin or hair?
Can GHK-Cu be combined with BPC-157 or TB-500?
Read before you orderDermatological peptides in research: GHK-Cu, Matrixyl, Argireline and the science of cosmeceuticalsScientific synthesis on research dermatological peptides: GHK-Cu and copper complexes, Matrixyl and synthetic tripeptides, Argireline and acetylhexapeptides, collagen mechanisms and in vitro studies. Strict RUO framework.Read the article 