Melanotan II 10mg

Description

Melanotan II sits at an interesting point in peptide research history. It is the parent compound from which PT-141 (bremelanotide) was derived — not by extending the sequence, but by isolating a narrower piece of the receptor-engagement profile. Understanding Melanotan II’s pan-melanocortin receptor activity is the entry point for understanding why PT-141 was engineered in the first place, and why the melanocortin class is such an active structure-activity research area.

Proposed Mechanism

The cyclic heptapeptide structure is the key engineering decision. Native alpha-MSH is a linear 13-residue peptide that degrades rapidly in plasma and shows narrow receptor selectivity for MC1R. Melanotan II’s lactam bridge between Asp and Lys residues, combined with a D-Phe substitution at position 7, produces a compound that is metabolically stable and binds across the full MC receptor family (MC1R-MC5R). Dorr et al. (1996, Life Sciences) characterized the binding profile and pharmacokinetics in human research. The receptor breadth is what distinguishes Melanotan II from its derivatives — PT-141 was later engineered to preferentially engage MC4R while shedding the MC1R activity that drives pigmentation response.

Research Literature

Dorr et al. (1996) is the foundational paper. Hadley and Haskell-Luevano (1999) laid out the structure-activity relationships that the whole Melanotan series depended on — the lactam bridge, the D-Phe7 substitution, the cyclization geometry. Hadley and Dorr (2006) reviewed the subsequent research on cyclic melanocortin analogues including the emergence of PT-141 as a receptor-selective offshoot. For researchers coming to the melanocortin literature fresh, the useful mental model is that Melanotan II is the broad-engagement reference and PT-141 is the selectivity-isolated derivative. Both are legitimate research tools; the choice depends on which receptor subset the research question actually targets.

Further reading: PubMed references for this compound.

Research Applications

Used in melanocortin receptor pharmacology research across MC1R-MC5R, pigmentation biology research, and comparative studies against receptor-selective analogues such as PT-141. Frequently used as the broad-affinity reference compound when characterizing new melanocortin-class tool compounds.

Supplied strictly for laboratory research use. Not for human or veterinary use.

Reconstitution

Supplied as a lyophilized powder. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water prior to use. Use the Peptigo reconstitution calculator for guidance on volume and concentration.

Storage

• Unopened: room temperature up to 30 days during transit; refrigerate at 2-8°C long-term.
• Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2-8°C; stable 4-6 weeks. Protect from light.

Quality Verification

Every batch is independently tested by Janoshik Analytical. Certificates of Analysis include HPLC-UV purity, LC-MS identity confirmation, LAL bacterial endotoxin quantification, and USP <71> sterility testing.

Not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic. For in vitro research use only. Not for human consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this product legal to purchase in Canada for research use?

Peptigo supplies all products strictly for laboratory and in vitro research use. The compound is not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic, and is not sold for human or veterinary use. Researchers purchasing for their own laboratory work, university research programs, or independent in vitro protocols are the intended customer base. Health Canada’s April 2026 advisory specifically addresses unauthorized injectable peptide use; the research-use framing of this product is independent of that consumer-use category.

How is purity verified, and where can I see the Certificate of Analysis?

Every batch is tested independently by Janoshik Analytical, an accredited third-party laboratory. The standard testing panel includes HPLC-UV purity verification, LC-MS identity confirmation, LAL bacterial endotoxin quantification, and USP sterility testing. The Certificate of Analysis for each batch is available on the product page after purchase, and the testing methodology is detailed on the Lab Testing reference page.

What is the standard reconstitution and storage protocol for laboratory use?

The compound is supplied as a lyophilized powder. The standard diluent for reconstitution in research protocols is bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol). The Peptigo reconstitution calculator handles the volume-and-concentration arithmetic for a given target research dose. Unopened lyophilized peptide is stable at room temperature for up to 30 days during transit and should be refrigerated at 2-8°C for long-term storage. Reconstituted peptide should be refrigerated at 2-8°C and is typically functional for 4-6 weeks; protect from light.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Melanotan II?

Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). In research it is studied for its activity at melanocortin receptors and pigmentation-related pathways in laboratory models.

Is Melanotan II being reclassified by the FDA?

It was removed from the FDA’s Category 2 list, but unlike BPC-157 and TB-500 it was not fast-tracked to the July 2026 review; it was deferred to a later consultation. We explain the whole reshuffle in are peptides legal in 2026.

Is Melanotan II legal in Canada?

Melanotan II is sold strictly as a research-use-only material in Canada and is not approved for human use.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is Melanotan II?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Melanotan II is a synthetic analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). In research it is studied for its activity at melanocortin receptors and pigmentation-related pathways in laboratory models.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is Melanotan II being reclassified by the FDA?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “It was removed from the FDA’s Category 2 list, but unlike BPC-157 and TB-500 it was not fast-tracked to the July 2026 review; it was deferred to a later consultation. We explain the whole reshuffle in are peptides legal in 2026.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is Melanotan II legal in Canada?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Melanotan II is sold strictly as a research-use-only material in Canada and is not approved for human use.”}}]}