Peptide research profile

GHK-Cu

Also known as Copper tripeptide-1 · Gly-His-Lys copper complex

An endogenous copper-binding tripeptide complex studied mainly in skin, matrix remodeling, and wound contexts. Topical human evidence does not establish injectable dosing.

  • Repair & regeneration
  • Skin & connective tissue
Early human evidence3 referencesEducational use

Dosing literacy

Dosing & scaling, explained

The 1.5–5 mg daily entries are injectable research presets. Human evidence is predominantly topical and does not establish those systemic amounts. This is educational source context—not a protocol or recommendation.

Scaling framework

How sourced amounts are organized

  1. Starting pointNot clinically established
    No validated titration window

    There is no regulator-approved starting dose for this research use. A low-looking number is not automatically safe.

  2. Recorded preset1.5–5 mg / day
    Calculator library reference

    This is the range represented in the in-app protocol library. It describes the source record; it does not validate the regimen.

  3. Higher exposure5 mg / day is the high library row
    Risk and uncertainty increase

    Higher exposure is not established as more effective. Human pharmacokinetic and long-term safety data may be absent.

Topical percentages, mg/mL wound gels, and injected milligrams are not interchangeable exposure measures.

Schedule literacy

Patterns described in source material

  • Daily in recorded presets

    The cadence represented by the recorded calculator presets.

  • Topical human studies use concentration-based gels

    Published experiments may use a different route, formulation, timing, or population and should not be treated as interchangeable.

  • No universal schedule

    No single schedule has been validated across products or research contexts.

Clinical context

No controlled human trial establishes a systemic GHK-Cu injection regimen.

Research best practices

Storage, handling and interpretation

Lyophilized material

Keep cold, dry, and protected from light according to the manufacturer certificate or validated lab SOP.

After reconstitution

Use sterile technique, refrigerate as validated, and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

Traceability

Record lot, concentration, preparation date, and the identity/purity documentation used by the lab.

Research orientation

What researchers are exploring

These themes describe recurring questions in published research. They are not claims of effectiveness or recommendations for use.

  • 01

    Wound repair

    Cell, animal, and limited topical human studies examine closure and matrix remodeling.

  • 02

    Skin extracellular matrix

    Research measures collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and metalloproteinase balance.

  • 03

    Copper delivery

    GHK binds copper and may modulate its local availability.

  • 04

    Topical cosmetics

    Most human experience concerns topical formulations, not injection.

Evidence map

What the current evidence can support

Study models remain visible so laboratory and animal findings are not mistaken for established human outcomes.

  • Human

    Mixed topical trial findings

    A small diabetic-ulcer study reported benefit, while a post-laser split-face trial found no objective improvement.

  • Animal

    Repair models

    Wound models report changes in epithelialization, collagen, and inflammatory markers.

  • Review

    Broad mechanistic literature

    Reviews summarize multiple pathways but contain claims not yet validated in controlled humans.

Recorded protocol library

Amounts recorded for GHK-Cu

These amount records are independent from vial strength, reconstitution volume and measuring device. A recorded source is not the same as study backing, and these values are not recommendations.

  • 01

    Dose · lower endpoint

    1 mg

    Sign in for schedule, duration and source context.

  • 02

    Lower recorded

    1.5 mg

    Sign in for schedule, duration and source context.

  • 03

    Dose · upper endpoint

    5 mg

    Sign in for schedule, duration and source context.

Technical reference

Identity, limitations and unknowns

Molecular profile

Class
Copper(II)-complexed tripeptide
Sequence
GHK
Amino acids
3
Approx. MW
403.9 Da
Origin / design
Naturally occurring GHK complexed with copper

Important limitations

  • Topical concentration data cannot validate subcutaneous or intramuscular dosing.
  • Copper balance, formulation, and peptide degradation affect interpretation.
  • A calculator preset is a recorded research convention, not a recommendation or evidence of clinical benefit.
  • Identity, purity, sterility, and stability can vary substantially outside regulated manufacturing.
  • Route, formulation, and population can make results from one study inapplicable to another use.

Curated sources

3 curated references

  1. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene DataInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2018 · Review
  2. Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical GHK-CuWound Repair and Regeneration · 1994 · Human
  3. Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skinArchives of Facial Plastic Surgery · 2006 · Human

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