Mechanism overviews · 29 papers
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GHK-Cu

Also known as: Copper peptide · Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper

A copper-binding tripeptide investigated in skin-matrix and wound-research literature.

Written by Peptidoteca Research Desk·Reviewed by Peptidoteca Research Desk·Last reviewed 2026-06-14·3 sources

§ In brief

GHK-Cu (also known as Copper peptide, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper) is a copper-binding tripeptide investigated in skin-matrix and wound-research literature. It is supplied for laboratory research use only and is not approved for human or veterinary use. Its 3-residue amino-acid sequence is GHK.

What is GHK-Cu?

A copper-binding tripeptide investigated in skin-matrix and wound-research literature.

GHK-Cu is catalogued here as a reference compound for tissue-repair and regenerative research. The entry covers its chemical identity and the public databases that describe it; it is not a usage guide.

How is GHK-Cu studied?

GHK-Cu appears in the tissue-repair and regenerative literature, primarily in in-vitro and preclinical (animal) models. This page indexes 3 primary papers on GHK-Cu, each tagged with its study type below. Peptidoteca summarizes the proposed mechanism class and the primary sources rather than human outcomes; for the wider library, see the research library.

Is GHK-Cu approved for human use?

No. GHK-Cu is supplied for laboratory (in-vitro) research use only. It is not approved by the FDA or any comparable regulator for human or veterinary use, and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, dosing guidance or a treatment recommendation.

What are the research limitations?

Most available evidence for GHK-Cu is preclinical — in-vitro and animal models — and findings in those models do not establish efficacy or safety in humans. Human clinical data is limited or absent, and GHK-Cu is not an approved drug. Treat the literature as mechanistic research, not clinical guidance.

§ Primary literature

  1. 1.Jiang F (2023). Synergy of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid on collagen IV upregulation via fibroblast and ex-vivo skin tests. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.In-vitroIn human dermal fibroblast cultures and an ex-vivo skin explant model, the study reported that combining GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) with hyaluronic acid upregulated collagen I, IV, and VII expression, with a synergistic effect observed for collagen IV.
  2. 2.Parker NP (2013). Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on wound healing in an irradiated rat model. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery.Rodent studyIn an irradiated rat dorsal-flap model, a topical glycyl-histidyl-lysine-copper (GHK-Cu) gel was compared with a control ointment, with flaps assessed for ischemic area and immunohistochemical markers of vascular endothelium (caveolin-1) and VEGF expression in fibroblasts.
  3. 3.Pickart L (2018). Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.ReviewThis review surveys reported biological actions attributed to the GHK (and GHK-Cu) peptide, including reported stimulation of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis and effects on dermal fibroblasts, interpreted alongside gene-expression data discussed by the authors.
Compound spec
Sequence
GHK
Length3 aa
ClassRecovery
CAS89030-95-5
Research vial50 / 100 mg

For in-vitro research only. Not medical, clinical or dosing advice.