GHK-Cu 50mg

Description

GHK-Cu is copper chemistry dressed as peptide chemistry. The tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) was isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart in 1973, and the bioactive form is the copper-chelated complex where copper is coordinated through the histidine imidazole and the terminal amino group. Strip the copper out, and activity in dermal fibroblast assays drops significantly. The metal is part of the molecule, not an accessory.

Proposed Mechanism

In dermal fibroblast research, GHK-Cu modulates extracellular matrix gene expression — collagens I and IV, elastin, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors. Pickart and Margolina (2018) reviewed the 45-year literature on skin biology and dermal research. The copper-binding mechanism sits at the center of the activity profile. Uncomplexed GHK shows reduced activity in comparable assays, which is why most of the published research uses the Cu-chelated form specifically.

Research Literature

Pickart (1973) is the original isolation from plasma. Maquart et al. (1988) is the foundational extracellular matrix paper. Pickart and Margolina (2018, International Journal of Molecular Sciences) is the 45-year review and the best single entry point. Pickart et al. (2015, BioMed Research International) reported gene expression profiling in skin-cell research showing modulation of over 4000 genes, which gives a sense of the breadth of the transcriptional signal even if the full biological meaning is still being worked out.

Further reading: PubMed references for this compound.

Research Applications

Used in dermal fibroblast research, extracellular matrix gene expression assays (collagen I/IV, elastin, decorin), copper-chelation chemistry studies, and cutaneous wound-biology research. 45+ year published research history.

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 GHK-Cu (copper peptide)?

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycine-histidine-lysine). It is the copper peptide widely used in topical skincare formulations, and in research it is studied for collagen synthesis and tissue-related pathways.

Is GHK-Cu the same as the copper peptide in skincare?

Yes. GHK-Cu is the copper peptide found in many serums and creams. Research studies it for its role in collagen and skin biology, which is why it is one of the more mainstream compounds in this category.

Is GHK-Cu legal in Canada?

GHK-Cu is offered as a research-use-only material in Canada. Note that injectable GHK-Cu is in the deferred batch of the US FDA’s review, which we explain in are peptides legal in 2026.

{“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “What is GHK-Cu (copper peptide)?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide (glycine-histidine-lysine). It is the copper peptide widely used in topical skincare formulations, and in research it is studied for collagen synthesis and tissue-related pathways.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is GHK-Cu the same as the copper peptide in skincare?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Yes. GHK-Cu is the copper peptide found in many serums and creams. Research studies it for its role in collagen and skin biology, which is why it is one of the more mainstream compounds in this category.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Is GHK-Cu legal in Canada?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “GHK-Cu is offered as a research-use-only material in Canada. Note that injectable GHK-Cu is in the deferred batch of the US FDA’s review, which we explain in are peptides legal in 2026.”}}]}