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GHK-Cu

Tripeptide / Copper Complex

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide complex that carries a substantial body of indexed research literature, with 155 PubMed-indexed publications spanning human and animal studies.

Price range: $20.00 through $25.00

GHK-Cu (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine-Copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma that declines significantly with age (~200 ng/mL at 20 → ~80 ng/mL at 60). It

SKU: LL-GHKCU Category:

PubMed Literature Index

155

studies indexed in the public literature

Q2 2026 · view PubMed search ↗

59
Human
90
Animal
2
Clinical Trials
0
EU Trials

Overview

Studies describe GHK-Cu as operating through a broad gene-expression-regulator mechanism rather than as a classical receptor agonist. In the literature, the copper ion is proposed to function as a catalytic cofactor, while the GHK tripeptide is described as signaling through multiple surface receptors and intracellular pathways to influence genes involved in tissue remodeling, antioxidant defense, and regeneration. Reported effects are characterized as concentration-dependent, with studies describing lower concentrations as associated with repair-related gene activity and very high concentrations as associated with activation of degradation pathways.

Chemical & Molecular Properties

FormulaC14H21CuN6O4-
Mol. Weight400.9 g/mol
PubChem CID139035031

Key Areas of Research Interest

  • Investigated in the context of gene expression regulation across tissue remodeling pathways
  • Investigated in the context of antioxidant defense-related gene activity
  • Investigated in the context of regeneration-associated signaling
  • Investigated in the context of copper as a catalytic cofactor in peptide signaling
  • Investigated in the context of concentration-dependent effects on repair versus degradation pathways

FAQ

What is GHK-Cu commonly researched for?

GHK-Cu is commonly researched for its proposed role as a gene expression regulator, with studies describing its involvement in tissue remodeling, antioxidant defense, and regeneration-related gene activity. It is sold strictly for laboratory research use, not for human or animal use.

Is GHK-Cu FDA-approved?

No. Sold for laboratory research use only, not FDA-approved, not for human or veterinary consumption.

How is GHK-Cu stored?

Lyophilized and frozen, protected from light; refrigerated after reconstitution for research use.

What purity standard does Legendary Labz hold GHK-Cu to?

Every lot of GHK-Cu is independently, third-party tested for research use.

Is a Certificate of Analysis available for GHK-Cu?

Certificates of Analysis are published per lot as testing completes.

Materials referenced on this page are intended for laboratory research purposes. No claims regarding therapeutic efficacy are made or implied. Not for human or veterinary use. Not evaluated by the FDA. Must be 21+.

Description

Overview

GHK-Cu (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine-Copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma that declines significantly with age (~200 ng/mL at 20 → ~80 ng/mL at 60). It binds copper ions and activates over 4,000 human genes related to tissue remodeling, anti-inflammation, and regeneration. TOPICALLY: one of the most-studied anti-aging compounds in dermatology, with human trial data showing meaningful collagen increases. INJECTABLE: evidence is primarily animal-based with human dosing extrapolated from scaling. The copper component is essential as a catalytic cofactor for key healing enzymes. FDA prohibited injectable commercial compounding as of 2023.

Structure & Chemistry

  • Molecular formula: C₁₄H₂₁CuN₆O₄
  • Category: SKIN / HAIR / NEURAL REPAIR
  • Molecular size: 340.4 Da (Tripeptide-copper complex)

Regulatory & Research Status

  • FDA 2023: Injectable GHK-Cu is prohibited for commercial compounding in the US.
  • TOPICAL evidence is strong (human trials: 28-70% collagen increase); INJECTABLE evidence is extrapolated from animal scaling.
  • Injectable dosing is based on animal-to-human scaling (~2.2 mcg/kg); no human dose-finding trials for injectable form.
  • HIGH-DOSE CAUTION: At elevated concentrations, GHK-Cu may paradoxically upregulate MMP-1 (matrix metalloprotease), potentially accelerating collagen degradation, sometimes called 'copper uglies' anecdotally.

Specifications

Purity >99% by HPLC
Form Lyophilized powder (reconstitute with bacteriostatic water for laboratory use)
Category SKIN / HAIR / NEURAL REPAIR
For laboratory and research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not approved by the FDA for any therapeutic use. No claims regarding therapeutic efficacy are made or implied. Must be 21 or older.

Additional information

Size

50mg, 100mg

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Overview

GHK-Cu (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine-Copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma that declines significantly with age (~200 ng/mL at 20 → ~80 ng/mL at 60). It binds copper ions and activates over 4,000 human genes related to tissue remodeling, anti-inflammation, and regeneration. TOPICALLY: one of the most-studied anti-aging compounds in dermatology, with human trial data showing meaningful collagen increases. INJECTABLE: evidence is primarily animal-based with human dosing extrapolated from scaling. The copper component is essential as a catalytic cofactor for key healing enzymes. FDA prohibited injectable commercial compounding as of 2023.

Structure & Chemistry

  • Molecular formula: C₁₄H₂₁CuN₆O₄
  • Category: SKIN / HAIR / NEURAL REPAIR
  • Molecular size: 340.4 Da (Tripeptide-copper complex)

Regulatory & Research Status

  • FDA 2023: Injectable GHK-Cu is prohibited for commercial compounding in the US.
  • TOPICAL evidence is strong (human trials: 28-70% collagen increase); INJECTABLE evidence is extrapolated from animal scaling.
  • Injectable dosing is based on animal-to-human scaling (~2.2 mcg/kg); no human dose-finding trials for injectable form.
  • HIGH-DOSE CAUTION: At elevated concentrations, GHK-Cu may paradoxically upregulate MMP-1 (matrix metalloprotease), potentially accelerating collagen degradation, sometimes called 'copper uglies' anecdotally.

Specifications

Purity >99% by HPLC
Form Lyophilized powder (reconstitute with bacteriostatic water for laboratory use)
Category SKIN / HAIR / NEURAL REPAIR
For laboratory and research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not approved by the FDA for any therapeutic use. No claims regarding therapeutic efficacy are made or implied. Must be 21 or older.

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