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 50mg 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 50mg 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 50mg 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.

The free tripeptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) has a molecular weight of 340.38 Da and molecular formula C₁₄H₂₄N₆O₄. When complexed with copper(II) (Cu²⁺), the complex has a molecular weight of approximately 403.91 Da (GHK-Cu). CAS number: 89030-95-5. The copper ion is coordinated through the amino terminus, the imidazole nitrogen of histidine, and the deprotonated amide nitrogen — forming a square-planar coordination geometry that is characteristic of copper(II) peptide complexes. This chelation is confirmed by the characteristic blue-green colour of the reconstituted solution. Not for human consumption — for research use only.

Published preclinical research has identified GHK-Cu activity across several signalling pathways: upregulation of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis via TGF-β 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 concentrations used in published in-vitro cell culture research typically range from 1 nM to 10 µM, depending on the cell line, endpoint, and assay type. Given the 50mg vial size, researchers will prepare a concentrated stock solution (e.g., 10mg/mL in BAC water or sterile PBS) and then perform serial dilutions to reach nanomolar or low micromolar working concentrations. Example: dissolve 50mg in 5mL BAC water (10mg/mL stock = ~24.8 mM), then dilute serially to reach target concentrations. Always use endotoxin-tested diluents for cell culture work. 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 50mg 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.

The CAS number for GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is 89030-95-5. The free tripeptide GHK alone has CAS 49557-75-7. Identity is confirmed in our batch (PW-260304) via mass spectrometry with copper complex verification, as documented in the COA. Not for human consumption — 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.