COPPER PEPTIDE

Copper peptide is a bioactive copper complex widely valued in advanced skin and hair care formulations.
Copper peptide is commonly incorporated into cosmetic products designed to improve the appearance of firmness, elasticity, and overall skin quality.
Copper peptide's distinctive copper-peptide structure makes it a versatile active ingredient for anti-aging, restorative, and scalp-care applications.

CAS Number: 49557-75-7
Chemical Formula: C14H24N6O4
Molar Mass: 340.38 g/mol

Synonyms: Copper peptide, Copper Tripeptide-1, GHK-Cu, Copper GHK, Copper Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine, Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine Copper Complex, Copper Tripeptide, Copper peptide Complex, GHK Copper Complex, Cu-GHK, Copper(II) GHK Complex, Copper-GHK Peptide, Copper Tripeptide Complex, Copper peptide-1, Copper Complex of Glycyl-Histidyl-L-Lysine, Blue Copper peptide, Copper Binding Peptide, Copper peptide Active, Cosmetic Copper peptide, Bioactive Copper peptide

Copper peptide is a naturally occurring copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine.
The tripeptide has strong affinity for copper(II) and was first isolated from human plasma.
Copper peptide can be found also in saliva and urine.

Copper peptide is a bioactive complex formed by copper ions bound to short-chain peptides, commonly represented by GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide-1).
Copper peptide is widely used in cosmetic, personal care, and skin-conditioning formulations because of its affinity for biological tissues and its role in supporting skin appearance and conditioning.

Copper peptide is typically supplied as a blue to blue-green powder, solution, or formulated active ingredient, depending on concentration and carrier system.
Copper peptide is valued in anti-aging, skin-repair, scalp-care, and hair-care formulations where it may help support collagen-related processes, skin elasticity, and overall skin renewal.

Copper peptide is commonly incorporated into serums, creams, lotions, eye-care products, scalp treatments, and other advanced cosmetic formulations.
Copper peptide's performance and stability depend on formulation pH, concentration, chelating agents, oxidizing conditions, and compatibility with other ingredients.

Copper peptide is a powerful anti-aging peptide complex formed by the binding of three amino acids with copper ions.
Copper peptide occurs naturally in the body but decreases with age.
This active ingredient supports collagen and elastin production, and scientifically proven results have shown it can promote skin regeneration and reduce signs of aging.

Copper peptide is a well-studied peptide, due to its ability to reduce visible signs of aging.
Copper peptides are found naturally within the body where they play a role in many important processes within the skin.

Copper peptides have been researched for their role in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, whilst improving skin elasticity and firmness due to their role in helping support collagen production.
As one ages, the natural levels of this peptide diminish, potentially contributing to visible signs of aging.

Copper peptides are naturally occurring complexes consisting of copper ions bonded to small protein fragments (peptides).
These molecules, especially the tripeptide known as GHK-Cu, have been shown to play a vital role in cellular communication, wound healing, and tissue regeneration.

In aesthetic medicine, Copper peptides are valued for their ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production, reduce inflammation, and enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms.
They are often introduced during recovery phases after microneedling, laser, or chemical procedures.
Current protocols in regenerative aesthetics highlight their role in maintaining skin health without aggressive exfoliation, aligning closely with the broader understanding of what are Copper peptides.

Overview of Copper Peptide:
Several copper(II)-peptide complexes occur naturally.
In human plasma, the level of GHK-Cu is about 200 ng/ml at age 20.

By the age of 60, the level drops to 80 ng/ml.
In humans, Copper peptide  is proposed to promote wound healing, attraction of immune cells, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, stimulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in skin fibroblasts and promotion of blood vessels growth.

Recent studies revealed Copper peptide's ability to modulate expression of a large number of human genes.
Synthetic Copper peptide  is used in cosmetics as a reparative and anti-aging ingredient.

Uses of Copper Peptide:
Copper peptide is widely used in anti-aging serums, creams, lotions, and other advanced skincare formulations.
Copper peptide is used in skin-conditioning products designed to support firmness, elasticity, and a smoother skin appearance.

Copper peptide is incorporated into cosmetic formulations intended to support collagen-related skin renewal processes.
Copper peptide is used in scalp-care and hair-care products formulated to support healthier-looking hair and scalp condition.

Copper peptide is commonly added to eye creams and facial treatments targeting fine lines and signs of skin aging.
Copper peptide is used in post-treatment and restorative cosmetic formulations designed to improve overall skin appearance.
Copper peptide can also be used as a functional active ingredient in professional and premium personal-care products.

Cosmetic use:
Copper peptide is widely used in anti-aging and hair loss prevention cosmetics (INCI name: Copper tripeptide-1).
Several controlled facial studies have shown anti-aging, firming and anti-wrinkle activity of Copper peptide Copper peptide  but with relatively small sample sizes and short duration of use, and further research is required to draw definitive conclusions.

Benefit the Skin:
One of the key benefits of Copper peptides for skin is their ability to activate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen synthesis.
By encouraging extracellular matrix remodeling, Copper peptides improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and restore firmness.

Additionally, Copper peptide has been noted for supporting skin hydration, reducing the appearance of pores, and helping fade hyperpigmentation.
These properties make Copper peptides a valuable option for improving barrier integrity and reversing signs of oxidative stress in sensitive or aging skin.
Copper peptides for skin are often included in recovery protocols for patients with minimal tolerance for acids or exfoliants.

Wound healing:

Biochemical studies:
In the late 1980s, Copper peptide started attracting attention as a promising wound healing agent.
At picomolar to nanomolar concentrations, Copper peptide  stimulated the synthesis of collagen in skin fibroblasts, increased accumulation of total proteins, glycosaminoglycans (in a biphasic curve) and DNA in the dermal wounds in rats.

They also found out that the GHK sequence is present in collagen and suggested that the GHK peptide is released after tissue injury.
They proposed a class of emergency response molecules which are released from the extracellular matrix at the site of an injury.

Copper peptide  also increased synthesis of decorin – a small proteoglycan involved in the regulation of collagen synthesis, wound healing regulation and anti-tumor defense.
Copper peptide  has been shown to produce anti-inflammatory effects and stimulate release of growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2).

Copper peptide was also established that GHK-Cu stimulates both the synthesis of metalloproteinases, the enzymes which break down dermal proteins, and their inhibitors (anti-proteases).
The fact that Copper peptide  not only stimulates the production of dermal components, but also regulates their breakdown suggests that it should be used with caution.

Biological chemistry:

Copper binding:
Replacement of histidine with other amino acids showed that the glycine residue plays major role in copper binding, whereas lysine can interact with copper only at alkaline pH.
At physiological pH, lysine is able to interact with a cellular receptor.

The ability of GHK to interact both with copper and with a cellular receptor may allow it to transfer copper into and from cells.
The small size of GHK permits speedy traveling in extracellular space and its easy access to cellular receptors.

The molecular structure of the GHK copper complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography, EPR spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, as well as other methods such as titration.
In the Copper peptide  complex, the Cu (II) ion is coordinated by the nitrogen from the imidazole side chain of the histidine, another nitrogen from the alpha-amino group of glycine and the deprotonated amide nitrogen of the glycine–histidine peptide bond.

Since such a structure could not explain a high stability constant of the Copper peptide  complex (log 10 =16.44 vs. 8.68 of the GH copper complex, which is similar to the GHK-Cu structure), Copper peptide was proposed that another amino group participates in the complex formation.
Cu(II) is also coordinated by the oxygen from the carboxyl group of the lysine from the neighboring complex.

Another carboxyl group of lysine from a neighboring complex provides the apical oxygen, resulting in the square-planar pyramid configuration.
Many researchers proposed that at the physiological pH, Copper peptide  complexes can form binary and ternary structures which may involve amino acid histidine and/or the copper binding region of the albumin molecule.

Lau and Sarkar found also that GHK can easily obtain copper 2+ bound to other molecules such as the high affinity copper transport site on plasma albumin (albumin binding constant log 10 =16.2 vs. GHK binding constant 16 log 10 =16.44).
Copper peptide has been established that copper (II) redox activity is silenced when copper ions are complexed with the GHK tripeptide, which allows the delivery of non-toxic copper into the cell.

Biological significance:
Copper is vital for all eukaryotic organisms from microbes to humans.
A dozen enzymes (cuproenzymes) use changes in copper oxidation state to catalyze important biochemical reactions including cellular respiration (cytochrome c oxidase), antioxidant defense (ceruloplasmin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), detoxification (metallothioneins), blood clotting (blood clotting factors V and VIII), melanin production (tyrosinase) and the connective tissue formation (lysyl peroxidase).

Copper is required for iron metabolism, oxygenation, neurotransmission, embryonic development and many other essential biological processes.
Another function of copper is signaling – for example, stem cells require a certain level of copper in the media to start their differentiation into cells needed for repair.
Thus, Copper peptide 's ability to bind copper and to modulate its tissue level is a key factor determining its biological activity.

History of Copper Peptide:
Loren Pickart (1938–2023) isolated the Copper peptide from human plasma albumin in 1973.
Copper peptide was noticed that liver tissue obtained from patients aged 60 to 80 years had an increased level of fibrinogen.

However, when liver cells from old patients were incubated in the blood from the younger group, the older cells started functioning in nearly the same way as the younger liver tissue.
Copper peptide turned out that this effect was due to a small peptide factor that behaved similarly to the synthetic peptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine (GHK).
Pickart proposed that this activity in human plasma albumin was a tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine and that it might function by chelating metal ions.

In 1977, the growth modulating peptide was shown to be a glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine.
Copper peptide is proposed that GHK-Cu modulates copper intake into cells.

Stability and Reactivity of Copper Peptide:

Chemical Stability:
Stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.

Reactivity:
May be affected by strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong bases, and incompatible chelating substances.

Conditions to Avoid:
Excessive heat, prolonged light exposure, moisture, and incompatible materials.

Incompatible Materials:
Strong oxidizing agents, strong acids, strong alkalis, and powerful chelating agents.

Handling and Storage of Copper Peptide:

Safe Handling:
Avoid contact with eyes and prolonged skin exposure and minimize dust or aerosol formation.

Storage Conditions:
Store tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place protected from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.

First Aid Measures of Copper Peptide:

Inhalation:
Move the affected person to fresh air and seek medical attention if irritation or discomfort persists.

Skin Contact:
Wash thoroughly with soap and water and remove contaminated clothing.

Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with plenty of water for several minutes and obtain medical attention if irritation continues.

Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water and seek medical advice if a significant amount has been swallowed.

Firefighting Measures of Copper Peptide:

Suitable Extinguishing Media:
Use water spray, dry chemical, foam, or carbon dioxide according to the surrounding fire.

Specific Hazards:
Thermal decomposition may produce carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, and copper-containing fumes.

Protective Equipment:
Firefighters should wear suitable protective equipment and self-contained breathing apparatus where necessary.

Accidental Release Measures of Copper Peptide:

Personal Precautions:
Avoid dust generation, direct contact, and inhalation and use suitable protective equipment.

Cleanup Methods:
Carefully collect spilled material into a suitable closed container and clean the affected area.

Environmental Precautions:
Prevent significant quantities from entering drains, soil, or surface waters.

Exposure Controls/Personal Protection of Copper Peptide:

Engineering Controls:
Provide adequate general or local ventilation where dust or aerosols may be generated.

Eye Protection:
Wear suitable safety goggles.

Hand Protection:
Wear protective gloves.

Skin Protection:
Wear appropriate protective clothing during bulk handling.

Respiratory Protection:
Use suitable particulate respiratory protection where ventilation is inadequate or dust is generated.

Identifiers of Copper Peptide:
CAS Number: 49557-75-7, (Cu complex): 89030-95-5
ChEBI: CHEBI:95185
ChemSpider: 66263, (Cu complex): 335491
PubChem CID: 342538, (Cu complex): 378611
UNII: 39TG2H631E, (Cu complex): 6BJQ43T1I9
CompTox Dashboard (EPA): DTXSID20237492 DTXSID30197831, DTXSID20237492
InChI: InChI=1S/C14H24N6O4/c15-4-2-1-3-10(14(23)24)20-13(22)11(19-12(21)6-16)5-9-7-17-8-18-9/h7-8,10-11H,1-6,15-16H2,(H,17,18)(H,19,21)(H,20,22)(H,23,24)
Key: MVORZMQFXBLMHM-UHFFFAOYSA-N, (Cu complex): InChI=1S/C14H24N6O4.Cu/c15-4-2-1-3-10(14(23)24)20-13(22)11(19-12(21)6-16)5-9-7-17-8-18-9;/h7-8,10-11H,1-6,15-16H2,(H,17,18)(H,19,21)(H,20,22)(H,23,24);
Key: DIWZQABMLHSNJR-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES: O=C(N[C@@H](CC1=CN=CN1)C(N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(O)=O)=O)CN, (Cu complex): C1=C(NC=N1)CC(C(=O)NC(CCCCN)C(=O)O)NC(=O)CN.[Cu]

INCI Name: Copper Tripeptide-1
Common Name: Copper peptide
Phonetic Spelling: kop-er trahy-pep-tahyd won

Chemical Name: Copper Tripeptide-1
Common Name: Copper peptide
INCI Name: Copper Tripeptide-1
CAS Number: 89030-95-5
EC Number: Not commonly assigned
Molecular Formula: C14H24CuN6O4
Molecular Weight: Approximately 403.9 g/mol
IUPAC Name: Copper complex of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine

Properties of Copper Peptide:
Chemical formula: C14H24N6O4
C14H22CuN6O4 (Cu complex)
Molar mass: 340.38 g/mol
Solubility in water: 130.98 g/L

Appearance: Blue to blue-violet powder or solution
Odor: Slight or characteristic odor
Solubility: Soluble in water
Color: Blue to blue-green
Physical Form: Powder, liquid solution, or formulated active
pH: Typically mildly acidic to near neutral depending on concentration
Molecular Weight: approx. 403.9 g/mol

Names of Copper Peptide:

IUPAC name:
6-Amino-2-[[2-[(2-aminoacetyl)amino]-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]hexanoic acid

Other names:
Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine
Growth-modulating peptide
Kollaren
Liver cell growth factor
Liver growth factor Cu-GHK
Glycyl-histidyl-lysine, monocopper salt, Prezatide copper