AHK-Cu 100mg

About AHK-Cu

AHK-Cu is copper tripeptide-3 — Ala-His-Lys complexed with copper(II). It is closely related to GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys copper complex, tripeptide-1) in concept: both are short copper-chelating peptides with the histidine residue serving as the primary Cu(II) binding site, and both are studied for connective tissue and skin biology applications. The sequences differ, and so do the research profiles. Where GHK-Cu has an extensive cross-tissue literature covering fibroblast proliferation in cited models, anti-inflammatory signaling, and gene expression, AHK-Cu research has focused more specifically on hair follicle biology and dermal papilla cell function.

Dermal papilla cells are specialized fibroblasts at the base of each hair follicle that regulate cycling and growth. AHK-Cu stimulates their proliferation in vitro and extends hair follicle elongation ex vivo in human follicle models. The mechanism involves two growth factors moving in opposite directions: VEGF is upregulated (improving follicular vascularity) while TGF-beta1 is downregulated (reducing the growth-inhibitory signaling that can prematurely terminate the anagen phase). Both shifts support anagen maintenance, and both are consistent with what the published follicle models show.

Research Context

For dermal papilla and hair follicle research, AHK-Cu fills a specific niche. It is one of the few copper-chelating tripeptides with published human ex vivo follicle data, which is a meaningful step beyond cell culture toward physiologically relevant models. Skin penetration studies have characterized transdermal delivery kinetics across skin layers, useful for researchers designing topical delivery systems where tissue distribution of copper peptides needs to be tracked. For comparative copper tripeptide studies alongside GHK-Cu, the sequence difference gives a structure-activity dimension that neither compound provides alone.

Specifications: MW 354.87 Da. Sequence: Ala-His-Lys + Cu(II). CAS 767286-83-9. Purity 99.3% avg HPLC. Lyophilized powder, 100mg.

Storage: -20°C, protected from light. Copper peptides are stable lyophilized. Reconstitute in sterile water; use within 4 weeks at 4°C.

Quality: HPLC purity analysis, mass spec identity confirmation, endotoxin testing. COA with every order. EU QC under CERTALAB S.R.L.

Product Specifications

• Purity: 99.3% avg (HPLC verified)
• Form: Lyophilized powder
• CAS: 767286-83-9
• SKU: CP-AHK100

Certificate of Analysis available for every batch. View COAs →

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption.