GHK-Cu: Published Research and Lab Handling

Research Use Only. Peptides Lab UK supplies research-grade materials for in-vitro laboratory research only. Nothing on this page is medical advice or an instruction for human or animal use, and no product sold on this website is a medicine.

What is GHK-Cu?

GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1; glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) complex, also written GHK Cu or GHKCu) is a naturally occurring tripeptide with high affinity for copper(II) ions. It is widely studied in cosmetic science and cell biology. It is not an authorised medicine in the UK.

Published research

Reviews summarise gene-expression and antioxidant findings from cell studies and discuss its coordination chemistry and formulation, including liposomal carriers for topical cosmetic research. Animal studies have examined GHK-Cu in models such as rat ACL reconstruction and silica-induced lung fibrosis in mice. Human evidence is largely limited to cosmetic topical studies.^[1,2,3,4,5]

Limitations of the evidence

Much of the available literature is preclinical (cell and animal models) or comes from small numbers of research groups. Findings in defined experimental systems cannot be extrapolated to other settings, and this page does not provide dosing, administration or human-use information.

Laboratory handling and storage

Lyophilised peptides are generally stored sealed, protected from light and moisture, at low temperature as specified on the certificate of analysis. Once reconstituted for in-vitro work, solutions are typically kept refrigerated and used within a validated stability window. Researchers should follow their institution’s procedures and the batch documentation (HPLC purity and mass-spectrometry identity) supplied with each lot.

UK regulatory status

In the UK, medicines are regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Research-grade compounds sold by Peptides Lab UK are supplied strictly for laboratory research; they are not medicinal products, are not manufactured to medicinal GMP standards and must not be used in humans or animals.

Related research pages

• View GHK-Cu research compound →

References

1. Pickart L et al. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012; 2012:324832. doi:10.1155/2012/324832 PMID: 22666519.
2. Mateescu DM et al. GHK-Cu as a Bioactive Metallopeptide and Drug-Delivery Cargo: Coordination Chemistry, Formulation Science, Therapeutic Evidence, and a Translational Roadmap. Pharmaceutics. 2026; 18(9). doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics18091077 PMID: 42797253.
3. Dymek M et al. Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application. Pharmaceutics. 2023; 15(10). doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15102485 PMID: 37896245.
4. Fu SC et al. Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction. J Orthop Res. 2015; 33(7):1024-33. doi:10.1002/jor.22831 PMID: 25731775.
5. Bian Y et al. The glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu(2+) tripeptide complex attenuates lung inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis by targeting peroxiredoxin 6. Redox Biol. 2024; 75:103237. doi:10.1016/j.redox.2024.103237 PMID: 38879894.

Disclaimer: All products sold by Peptides Lab UK are for laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for consumption, and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This page is an educational literature summary and is not medical advice.