GHK (Basic) (Tripeptide-1)
Also known as: GHK, GHK Basic, Tripeptide-1
GHK is a naturally occurring human tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) studied for skin remodeling, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. The copper-free 'basic' form is the parent peptide that readily binds copper in tissue.
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Mechanism of Action
GHK has a high affinity for copper(II) ions and acts as a physiological carrier that delivers copper to cells, modulating the activity of copper-dependent enzymes. It regulates the expression of a large set of genes governing extracellular matrix turnover, stimulating fibroblast synthesis of collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and proteoglycans while modulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs). It also exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes angiogenesis and nerve outgrowth in wound models.
- Half-life
- Short; rapidly cleared from plasma (minutes) and metabolized by peptidases
- Administration Routes
- topical, subcutaneous
- Research Status
- Research Chemical
Reported Benefits
- Stimulates collagen and elastin synthesis in dermal fibroblasts
- Supports wound healing and skin barrier repair
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity
- Promotes extracellular matrix remodeling
- May improve skin firmness and reduce fine lines in topical studies
- Supports angiogenesis in injured tissue
Potential Side Effects
- Localized skin irritation or redness with topical use
- Possible contact sensitization in susceptible individuals
- Limited human safety data for systemic administration
Common Dosing
Research-use only, not medical advice. Topical formulations in the literature typically use GHK at roughly 0.05% to 2% in serums or creams; reconstituted research solutions are studied at low microgram-per-application amounts.
The dosing information above is aggregated from research literature and anecdotal community reports for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation, prescription, or medical advice. Peptides are sold as research chemicals only and are not intended for human use.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to the peptide or copper
- Application to open or infected wounds without supervision
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding due to insufficient data
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