SNAP-8 is a synthetic acetylated octapeptide (INCI Acetyl Octapeptide-3, also listed as Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1) marketed as a topical cosmetic active for the appearance of expression lines. It is an elongated analog of Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline), originally developed by Lipotec, and is reported to mimic the N-terminal domain of the SNAP-25 protein.13 It is a cosmetic ingredient and laboratory reference material, not an approved drug; published evidence is limited to in-vitro/cell SNARE studies and manufacturer-conducted cosmetic testing rather than peer-reviewed clinical trials.12 Multiple molecular descriptors circulate in the literature, so the values below are derived from the verified amino-acid sequence and cross-checked against PubChem.4
Sequence & identity
Structure and identity per PubChem CID 76283482 (InChIKey KMACPCJUCHVVGP-FNRPHRCSSA-N), the C-terminally amidated octapeptide (Ac-…-Asp-NH₂), consistent with supplier specifications for Acetyl Octapeptide-3.4
Mechanisms studied
Researchers describe SNAP-8 as a competitive mimic of the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, a component of the SNARE complex that mediates calcium-dependent fusion of neurotransmitter vesicles at the neuromuscular junction.3 The conceptual basis traces to studies in which synthetic peptides corresponding to SNAP-25 sequences inhibited regulated exocytosis: Gutiérrez and colleagues reported that a SNAP-25 C-terminal peptide blocked the slow, ATP-dependent docking step of catecholamine secretion in bovine chromaffin cells, causing accumulation of docked dense-core vesicles.1 By analogy, SNAP-8 is proposed to destabilize SNARE assembly and thereby attenuate stimulated catecholamine/acetylcholine release; direct mechanistic data specific to the SNAP-8 octapeptide itself remain limited.13
Dosing in the research literature
The figures below summarise regimens as reported in published research — they are not recommendations or directions for use.
| Source / model | Regimen reported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| r2 | Topical cosmetic emulsions formulated at roughly 3–10% of the supplier’s peptide solution (which is itself a dilute active concentrate), applied to expression-line areas in manufacturer testing. | Reported as used in cosmetic formulation/manufacturer studies, not a clinical dosing protocol. RUO material is not for human application; no established therapeutic dose exists. |
| r1 | In-vitro chromaffin-cell exocytosis assays used micromolar SNAP-25-derived peptide concentrations introduced intracellularly. | Cell-model concentrations only; not translatable to topical or systemic human dosing. |
Effects observed in research
In bovine chromaffin-cell models, SNAP-25-derived peptides were observed to inhibit the ATP-dependent docking component of regulated secretion, reducing stimulated catecholamine release.1 For the SNAP-8 octapeptide specifically, the manufacturer (Lipotec) reported in its own in-vivo cosmetic testing a reduction in periorbital wrinkle depth (figures around a ~63% relative reduction) over 28 days of twice-daily topical use of a 10% formulation versus vehicle; these figures derive from company technical literature rather than independent peer-reviewed trials and should be read with that caveat.23 Suppliers describe topical use as well tolerated with no systemic neuromuscular effects reported, a claim consistent with the limited skin penetration expected of a hydrophilic charged peptide but one for which rigorous independent safety and efficacy data are sparse.3
Strength of evidence
Grade C. The mechanistic rationale rests on in-vitro and cell-based SNARE/SNAP-25 exocytosis studies1 rather than studies of SNAP-8 in humans. Anti-wrinkle efficacy claims originate largely from manufacturer-conducted cosmetic testing and trade literature, not randomized controlled trials, and independent replication is limited.23 Analytical characterization (e.g., LC-MS/MS quantification methods) has been published.5 No reliable human pharmacokinetic half-life for topical SNAP-8 has been established. SNAP-8 is a cosmetic ingredient / research reagent and is not an approved therapeutic drug.
Reconstitution & storage
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water for laboratory handling. Store lyophilised material frozen and reconstituted material refrigerated. Use Peptigo’s reconstitution calculator and storage cheat sheet for working figures.
References
- Gutiérrez LM, Viniegra S, Rueda J, Ferrer-Montiel AV, Canaves JM, Montal M. A peptide that mimics the C-terminal sequence of SNAP-25 inhibits secretory vesicle docking in chromaffin cells. J Biol Chem. 1997 Jan 31;272(5):2634-2639. PMID: 9006897.
- Lipotec S.A.U. SNAP-8 (Acetyl Glutamyl Heptapeptide-1) technical/marketing documentation, including in-vivo anti-wrinkle test data. Manufacturer literature (UL Prospector / Lotioncrafter product listings). https://www.ulprospector.com/en/na/PersonalCare/Detail/2670/81055/SNAP-8-peptide-solution-C
- INCI / cosmetic ingredient profile: Acetyl Octapeptide-3 (SpecialChem cosmetics ingredient database; supplier monographs describing SNAP-25 / SNARE mimicry mechanism). https://www.specialchem.com/cosmetics/inci-ingredients/acetyl-octapeptide-3
- PubChem Compound Summary for CID 76283482, Acetyl octapeptide-3 / SNAP-8 (molecular formula C41H70N16O16S; InChIKey KMACPCJUCHVVGP-FNRPHRCSSA-N; CAS 868844-74-0). National Library of Medicine. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/76283482
- Method development for acetyl octapeptide-3 analysis by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Science and Technology. 2020;11:38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40543-020-00232-8