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): both are short copper-chelating peptides with the histidine residue serving as the primary Cu(II) binding site, and both are studied in connective-tissue and skin biology. The sequences differ, and so do the research profiles — GHK-Cu has an extensive cross-tissue literature, while AHK-Cu research has focused more specifically on hair follicle biology and dermal papilla cell function.

Mechanism of Action

Dermal papilla cells are specialized fibroblasts at the base of each hair follicle that regulate cycling and growth. In published follicle models, AHK-Cu stimulates dermal papilla cell proliferation and extends hair follicle elongation ex vivo. The signalling shifts two growth factors in opposite directions: VEGF is upregulated (supporting follicular vascularity) while TGF-beta1 is downregulated — both consistent with anagen-phase maintenance in the cited in vitro models.

Published Research

• Human hair growth in vitro: a tripeptide-copper complex (AHK-Cu) at 10^-12–10^-9 M stimulated elongation of human hair follicles and proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells in vitro ("The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro").
• Growth-factor modulation: in cited dermal-fibroblast models, AHK-Cu elevated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production while decreasing transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) secretion.
• Transdermal delivery: skin-penetration studies have characterized copper-tripeptide distribution across skin layers, relevant to researchers designing topical delivery systems.

Product Specifications

• Purity: ≥98% (supplier batch spec; 99.3% avg across independently tested lots)
• Form: Lyophilized powder
• Sequence: Ala-His-Lys + Cu(II)
• CAS: 767286-83-9

Storage: -20C, protected from light; reconstitute in sterile water and use within 4 weeks at 4C. Shipped to a ≥98% supplier batch specification; selected lots are independently tested by Janoshik Analytical (HPLC + mass spectrometry; 99.3% average purity across published reports), searchable by batch code at certapeptides.com/verify. View reports →

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. No medical claims are made or implied.