GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide)

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is a copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (Gly-His-Lys). The free tripeptide occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine, and its concentration in plasma declines with age. GHK binds copper with high affinity through the histidine imidazole and amino groups, and the resulting complex has a characteristic blue colour when reconstituted.

Known in cosmetic ingredient nomenclature as copper tripeptide-1, GHK-Cu has been studied for more than four decades. Published research covers fibroblast collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, matrix remodelling, angiogenesis, hair follicle models and broad changes in gene expression in cell culture. Our GHK-Cu research guide summarises this body of work.

GenoPept supplies GHK-Cu as a lyophilised powder in 50mg and 100mg vials for in-vitro laboratory research in the UK, with a batch Certificate of Analysis for every lot.

GHK-Cu research applications

GHK-Cu is one of the most extensively published research peptides, with data from cell-culture, animal and ex-vivo skin models. The main areas of study are outlined below and none constitute approved uses.

Collagen and extracellular matrix research

In fibroblast cultures GHK-Cu has been reported to increase synthesis of collagen, elastin, decorin and glycosaminoglycans, and to modulate matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors.

Wound and tissue remodelling models

Animal studies in rats, mice, rabbits and pigs have examined GHK-Cu in dermal wounds, ischaemic wounds and bone models, measuring contraction, vessel formation and tissue quality.

Skin and cosmetic science

Ex-vivo skin and cell models investigate GHK-Cu for effects on keratinocyte proliferation, dermal thickness markers and antioxidant enzymes, which is why the peptide is widely used in cosmetic formulation research.

Hair follicle biology

Studies in cultured follicles and animal models explore copper peptides for effects on follicle size and the anagen phase; the related AHK-Cu is often compared in this setting.

Gene expression and inflammation

Computational and cell-based work reports that GHK modulates the expression of a large number of human genes, including those involved in DNA repair, antioxidant defence and inflammatory signalling such as NF-κB.

Mechanism of action (preclinical)

GHK-Cu acts partly as a copper delivery molecule: the tripeptide binds Cu(II) and can transfer it to cellular copper-dependent enzymes such as lysyl oxidase, superoxide dismutase and cytochrome c oxidase, which are required for collagen cross-linking and antioxidant defence. In cell models this is associated with increased extracellular matrix production and remodelling.

Independently of copper transfer, the peptide has been reported to alter expression of many genes, to attract immune and endothelial cells in chemotaxis assays, and to reduce oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine output in cultured cells. These findings are preclinical and are summarised for research context only.

GHK-Cu product specifications

The values below refer to the copper complex and are drawn from public chemical databases; LC-MS identity testing confirms each batch.

Available sizes

GHK-Cu is offered in two vial sizes, both larger than most peptides because it is typically used at higher working concentrations in matrix and skin models:

• 50mg vial – suited to cell-culture and formulation studies
• 100mg vial – for larger or repeated experiments

Bulk boxes of 10 vials save 20–50% against single-vial pricing; see the bulk and wholesale page for details. Orders of £200 or more qualify for free tracked UK delivery.

Reconstitution, handling and storage (laboratory)

Unopened vials should be stored at –20 °C for long-term storage, or at 2–8 °C for short periods, always protected from light. Keep vials sealed until the day they are needed.

To reconstitute, allow the vial to reach room temperature, then add bacteriostatic water or another sterile diluent slowly down the inside wall of the vial. Swirl gently until the powder dissolves; never shake, because shear can damage peptide chains. Reconstituted GHK-Cu forms a clear blue solution; a 50mg vial in 5 ml of diluent gives a 10 mg/ml stock that can be diluted to the working concentration your assay requires.

Once in solution, keep the vial at 2–8 °C and use it within the period stated in your laboratory protocol. See our guides on how to reconstitute research peptides and how to store research peptides.

Quality assurance and Certificate of Analysis

Purity and identity results are batch-specific. Consult the applicable supplied report for its results and methods; confirm the batch covers current stock and verify the laboratory’s accreditation scope directly.

Use the “View Certificate of Analysis” button on this page to open the COA for the current batch, or browse the complete library at genopept.co.uk/coa-certificates. Our guide on what a Certificate of Analysis shows explains how to read the chromatogram and mass spectrum. Vials carry lot number and expiry so results trace to the exact material supplied.

Related research compounds

• AHK-Cu – the alanine-histidine-lysine copper analogue studied mainly in hair follicle models.
• GLOW Blend (BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu) – combines GHK-Cu with two repair peptides in one vial.
• BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound) – a repair peptide often co-investigated with GHK-Cu.
• Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 (Pal-KTTKS) – another collagen-signalling peptide used in cosmetic-science research.

GHK-Cu frequently asked questions

What is GHK-Cu used for in research?

GHK-Cu is used in preclinical research on collagen synthesis, extracellular matrix remodelling, wound models, hair follicle biology and gene expression. Fibroblast and keratinocyte cultures, ex-vivo skin and animal wound models are the most common systems. It is also a standard reference peptide in cosmetic-science formulation studies. GenoPept supplies GHK-Cu solely for in-vitro laboratory research.

How is GHK-Cu supplied and what purity is it?

Purity and identity results are batch-specific. Consult the applicable supplied report for its results and methods; confirm the batch covers current stock and verify the laboratory’s accreditation scope directly.

How should GHK-Cu be stored?

Store unopened GHK-Cu vials at –20 °C for long-term storage or at 2–8 °C for short-term use, protected from light. After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water the blue solution should be kept at 2–8 °C and used within the period set out in your laboratory protocol. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and contact with metal surfaces that could compete for copper.

Is GHK-Cu for human use?

No. GHK-Cu from GenoPept is for in-vitro laboratory research only. It is not a medicine or a cosmetic product, is not approved for human or veterinary use, and is not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. We do not provide application or dosing guidance, and purchasers must confirm the peptide is for legitimate research.

What is the difference between GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu is the copper complex of glycyl-histidyl-lysine, the naturally occurring plasma tripeptide with the largest research literature on collagen and matrix remodelling. AHK-Cu replaces glycine with alanine and is studied mainly in hair follicle and dermal papilla models. Both deliver copper to cells, but GHK-Cu is the better characterised compound and the usual reference in comparative studies.

Research use only. This product is supplied strictly for in-vitro laboratory research in the UK. It is not for human or veterinary use, is not a medicine, and is not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Nothing on this page is medical advice. See our research use only policy and UK legal guide.