GHK-Cu Copper Peptide: Identity and Research Record

GHK-Cu is a copper peptide formed when glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, also written Gly-His-Lys or GHK, binds copper(II). Freedman and colleagues' primary chemistry paper describes the complex; the CIR ingredient assessment defines copper tripeptide-1.

Research material destination: GHK-Cu 50 mg research listing at Curo.

TL;DR

• GHK is the peptide; GHK-Cu is its copper complex. Copper-complex chemistry record.

• The research includes cell and animal experiments, gene-expression work and a study of a finished topical cosmetic. Cell paper, Animal paper, Gene-expression paper and Cosmetic study.

• The FDA substance identifier and compounding-category documents have different purposes. UNII record and 503A category document.

• For laboratory material, follow GHK-Cu powder identity and lot records.

What is GHK-Cu?

The FDA record for UNII 6BJQ43T1I9 uses PREZATIDE COPPER as its preferred name. It maps COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1, GHK COMPLEX WITH COPPER and 89030-95-5.

PubChem CID 73587 describes free glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, with formula C14H24N6O4 and molecular weight 340.38 g/mol. These values belong to the free-peptide record.

In their 1982 solution experiment, Freedman and colleagues used optical, EPR and electron spin-echo spectroscopy. The authors reported a mononuclear 1:1 copper(II) complex at neutral pH and a histidyl-imidazole contribution to coordination. 1982 primary record, PMID 6291585.

When was GHK discovered?

Pickart and Thaler's 1973 paper describes a tripeptide in human serum. 1973 Nature: New Biology record, PMID 4349963. Maquart and colleagues' later primary paper identifies GHK as a peptide isolated from human plasma. 1988 primary record, PMID 3169264. The original record uses "serum"; the later paper uses "plasma".

What do cell and animal studies report?

1988: collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures

Maquart and colleagues studied GHK-Cu in fibroblast cultures. The authors reported increased collagen synthesis independent of a change in cell number. 1988 primary study, PMID 3169264.

1993: connective tissue in rat experimental wounds

Maquart and colleagues used a rat wound-chamber model. The authors reported increased collagen and glycosaminoglycan accumulation, with higher type I and III collagen messenger RNA. TGF-beta messenger RNA did not increase, and the control tripeptide had no significant effect. 1993 primary study, PMID 8227353.

2024: experimental silicosis

Bian and colleagues used silicosis mice and RAW264.7 cells. The authors reported GHK-Cu binding to PRDX6, reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis, and reduced silica-related oxidative stress. 2024 primary study, PMID 38879894.

2026: acute inflammation

Hu, Zhang and Wang studied copper-sulfate or LPS inflammation in zebrafish larvae. The authors reported reduced neutrophil and macrophage migration, lower pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, increased il-10 expression and changes in oxidative-stress measurements. 2026 primary study, PMID 41997403.

These experimental models do not establish a clinical result in people.

Gene expression and the review literature

Campbell and colleagues' 2012 study combined gene-expression analysis of human lung tissue with experiments in cultured human lung fibroblasts. The authors identified 127 genes associated with regional emphysema severity. They reported that GHK induced expression patterns consistent with TGF-beta pathway activity and restored collagen-gel contraction and remodeling in the cell experiments. The experimental compound is labelled GHK in this paper. 2012 primary paper, PMID 22937864.

Pickart and Margolina's 2018 article is a review of GHK-Cu, tissue repair and gene-expression literature. It discusses Connectivity Map analyses and proposed mechanisms. It is a review, not a new human trial, and its discussion includes work on GHK with and without copper. 2018 review, PMC6073405.

Human studies of topical cosmetic products

Badenhorst and colleagues' 2016 randomized, double-blind, split-face study enrolled 40 women aged 40 to 65 and followed a GHK-Cu cosmetic serum in a lipid-based carrier for eight weeks. The comparators were a commercial Matrixyl 3000 product and a control serum. 2016 primary report, methods and Tables 2-3.

The authors reported lower wrinkle volume against both comparators and lower wrinkle depth against the control serum. The wrinkle-depth comparison with the commercial product was not statistically significant. One participant developed minor skin reactions on both comparison sides and stopped; the authors reported that the symptoms resolved. Table 2 reports outcomes for 39 volunteers. 2016 primary report, results and Tables 2-3.

This finding concerns the finished formulation: the control serum lacked both GHK-Cu and the carrier. The paper discloses funding from Snowberry New Zealand Ltd with Callaghan Innovation. 2016 primary report, materials and disclosure.

Open the GHK-Cu primary source ledger.

For a short guide to reading GHK-Cu claims against their sources, see the GHK-Cu research claim notes.

What do the FDA records say?

The FDA UNII record identifies Prezatide Copper and states that having a UNII does not imply regulatory review or approval.

FDA's May 14, 2026 503A bulk drug substance categories document lists "GHK-Cu (except for injectable routes of administration)" in Category 1, "Bulk Drug Substances Under Evaluation." The same document says that FDA intends to consult its Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee before the end of February 2027 about GHK-Cu and the 503A bulks list.

FDA's bulk drug substance safety page lists "GHK-Cu (for injectable routes of administration)" among nominations that the nominators withdrew. For that entry, FDA wrote that compounded injectable drugs containing GHK-Cu may pose a risk of immunogenicity from aggregation and peptide-related impurities, and that human data are limited. These are summaries of FDA records, not legal conclusions.

Human registry record

• NCT07706361: LifeWave's interventional X39 patch study measures circulating GHK and GHK-Cu in healthy adults. The record is not yet recruiting, with no posted results; its last posted update is July 15, 2026. X39 registry record.

Record status checked October 14, 2026. A registration does not report a result. GHK-Cu is a measured substance in this patch study.

Cosmetic ingredient identity and research material

The 2014 CIR assessment defines copper tripeptide-1 as a complex of copper and tripeptide-1 and addresses specified cosmetic ingredient uses. A supplied laboratory lot needs its own identity and analytical documents.

For material records, see GHK-Cu powder identity and lot records.

Single compound and blend

KLOW contains GHK-Cu alongside other components, as listed in the KLOW kit listing at Curo. For the blend's separate reference, see KLOW blend reference. Single-compound results do not establish a blend result.

GHK-Cu questions

Are GHK and GHK-Cu the same material?

GHK is the free peptide described in PubChem CID 73587. GHK-Cu includes coordinated copper, examined in the primary copper-complex paper. Check which identity a paper or material listing uses.

Is copper tripeptide-1 another name for GHK-Cu?

The CIR assessment defines copper tripeptide-1 as the copper complex of tripeptide-1, and the FDA substance record maps it to Prezatide Copper. A product label still needs its own material description.

Where are GHK-Cu powder and lot documents listed?

Start with the GHK-Cu 50 mg research listing at Curo and the GHK-Cu powder documentation page. The GHK-Cu research kit at Curo is a second material destination.