GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring tripeptide-copper complex found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. It consists of the tripeptide Gly-His-Lys chelated with a copper (Cu²⁺) ion. In preclinical research, GHK-Cu has been studied for wound healing and skin remodelling (collagen synthesis, MMP regulation), angiogenesis and tissue repair mechanisms, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant signalling pathways, and nerve regeneration models. It is one of the most studied copper peptides in dermatological and regenerative research. Supplied at 99.3% HPLC purity.

Reconstitution: Add 1–2mL of bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside glass wall of the vial using a 31G syringe. Gently swirl to dissolve. Important: GHK-Cu solution will appear slightly blue-green in colour due to the copper complex — this is normal and expected. Do not mistake the discolouration for contamination. The solution should be clear (not cloudy or particulate). Storage: Lyophilised — store at −20°C up to 24 months. Reconstituted — store at 2–8°C and use within 4 weeks, protected from light. The 100mg vial provides enough material for extended research protocols without frequent reconstitutions.

GHK-Cu is a small tripeptide (MW ~340 Da free peptide, ~403 Da as copper complex) that is commonly used in research at relatively higher molar concentrations compared to larger peptides. The 100mg size offers better cost-per-milligram efficiency for labs conducting cell culture, in-vitro assay, or extended research protocols. It also eliminates frequent reordering for active research programs. At 99.3% HPLC purity with full COA, the 100mg format delivers the same research-grade quality as our smaller sizes — just with greater flexibility.

Legal status: GHK-Cu is legal to purchase in Australia for legitimate research purposes. It is not a scheduled substance under the Poisons Standard when sold for research use. Not for human consumption, therapeutic, cosmetic, or veterinary use. Quality: Batch PW-260304, independently verified at 99.3% HPLC purity. COA includes: HPLC purity %, mass spectrometry identity confirmation (including copper complex verification), and sterility screening. Full COA available in our COA Library. Sourced from GMP-certified manufacturing facilities with full chain-of-custody documentation.

Published preclinical research has identified GHK-Cu activity across several signalling pathways: upregulation of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis via TGF-beta pathway modulation; regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and their inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2), affecting extracellular matrix remodelling; induction of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) expression, supporting angiogenesis models; activation of antioxidant gene expression including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase; and modulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system affecting protein turnover in ageing cell models. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

The blue-green colour of GHK-Cu in solution is a direct consequence of the copper(II) coordination chemistry. Cu²⁺ ions coordinated in a square-planar or distorted octahedral geometry with nitrogen and oxygen donors — as in the GHK-Cu complex — absorb light in the red-orange wavelength range (~600–700 nm), resulting in the characteristic blue-green appearance by transmitted light. This is the same principle behind the colour of copper sulfate solution and many other Cu²⁺ complexes. The colour intensity scales with concentration. A clear, blue-green solution indicates correct reconstitution; a cloudy or particulate solution would indicate a problem. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

GHK-Cu is frequently cited in dermatological research literature in the context of topical application models — it is one of the most studied peptides for skin biology research, including wound healing, collagen remodelling, and anti-ageing pathway investigation in skin cell and tissue models. Our GHK-Cu 100mg is supplied as a lyophilised research-grade powder intended for in-vitro laboratory use. Researchers working with topical formulation models would typically dissolve it in an appropriate aqueous vehicle suited to their experimental design. Not for human consumption or cosmetic use — for research use only.

GHK-Cu is the most extensively researched copper peptide in the scientific literature, with hundreds of published studies. It is distinct from other copper peptide complexes such as AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys-Cu) or GHK alone (without copper). The copper chelation in GHK-Cu is essential to many of its studied effects — the free tripeptide GHK has a different activity profile than the copper complex. Compared to synthetic copper peptides developed for cosmetic use (e.g., Lamin, Iamin), GHK-Cu has a vastly deeper research bibliography and is considered the reference standard for copper peptide biology research. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

GHK-Cu appears in preclinical literature examining hair-follicle biology, including studies on follicle cell cultures and markers associated with the hair growth cycle. As with its skin research, these are cell-culture and animal-model findings used to study follicle biology, not evidence of any cosmetic or therapeutic effect. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

Cosmetic products may list copper peptides at low, formulation-bound concentrations. Our GHK-Cu is a research-grade lyophilised powder supplied at ≥99% HPLC purity with a full COA and mass-spectrometry identity confirmation, intended for in-vitro laboratory research rather than topical or cosmetic use. The two are not interchangeable. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

GHK-Cu is widely known as the copper peptide, and by its formal name Copper Tripeptide-1. You may also see it written GHK copper, Cu-GHK or simply GHK. These all refer to the same copper-bound tripeptide studied in skin and tissue research. For in-vitro research use only.