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Evidence current through August 2026

GHK-Cu

Copper(II) coordination system of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine

Also indexed as Copper Tripeptide-1, prezatide copper

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide coordination system studied across copper chemistry, extracellular-matrix biology, skin appearance, wound research, hair research, and safety or regulatory contexts.

The evidence record separates free GHK, GHK-Cu, prezatide copper acetate, AHK-Cu, ALAVAX, and proprietary copper-peptide formulations so findings remain tied to the tested identity and material.

Research areas

  • copper chemistry
  • matrix biology
  • skin appearance
  • wound research
  • hair research
  • safety and regulatory context

Evidence at a glance

What the current record supports

Copper coordination and exchange behavior are well characterized under defined laboratory conditions. Matrix-biology findings are primarily preclinical.

Controlled human signals include objective wrinkle imaging with a finished nanocarrier serum, a positive Phase II diabetic-ulcer comparison followed by a failed pivotal program, a small vehicle-controlled eyebrow study, and a mixed post-laser regimen comparison.

Overall evidence is scientifically active but formulation-, population-, endpoint-, and model-specific.

Qualification

Limitations and evidence gaps

Research path

Connected research articles

Overview

GHK-Cu Research Overview

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide complex built from glycine, histidine, and lysine. The peptide without copper is called GHK. When it coordinates copper, it becomes part of a dynamic chemical system commonly described as...
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Full review

GHK-Cu Full Evidence Review

GHK-Cu is best understood as an equilibrating Cu(II)-coordination system involving the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. Its coordination chemistry is substantially better established than its human clinical effects. A 1:1 complex is a useful dominant representation under...
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Study map

Connected study records

Source ledger

References

  1. GHK-P001Database

    PubChem identity records for GHK, GHK-Cu, and prezatide copper acetate

    PubChem

    Identity control. Related records: free GHK CID 73587; prezatide copper acetate CID 9876021.

  2. GHK-P002Primary paper

    The interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma

    Lau SJ; Sarkar B. Biochemical Journal(1981). DOI: 10.1042/BJ1990649

    Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1163421/

  3. GHK-P003Primary paper

    Structure of the glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-copper(II) complex in solution

    Freedman JH; Pickart L; Weinstein B; Mims WB; Peisach J. Biochemistry(1982). DOI: 10.1021/bi00262a004

  4. GHK-P004Primary paper

    Copper(II) binding to GHK peptide and its ternary complexes

    Bossak-Ahmad K et al.. International Journal of Molecular Sciences(2020). DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176190

    Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7503498/

  5. GHK-P005Primary paper

    Mechanism of copper(II) reduction by glutathione in the presence of GHK

    Zhukov I et al.. Inorganic Chemistry(2021). DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c02669

    Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8653159/

  6. GHK-P006Safety assessment

    Safety Assessment of Tripeptide-1, Hexapeptide-12, their metal salts and fatty acyl derivatives, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 as used in cosmetics

    Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Cosmetic Ingredient Review(2014)

  7. GHK-P007Primary paper

    Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+

    Maquart FX; Pickart L; Laurent M; Gillery P; Monboisse JC; Borel JP. FEBS Letters(1988). DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-X

    PMID 3169264.

  8. GHK-P008Primary paper

    Stimulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesis by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+

    Wegrowski Y; Maquart FX; Borel JP. Life Sciences(1992). DOI: 10.1016/0024-3205(92)90504-I

    PMID 1522753.

  9. GHK-P009Primary paper

    In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ in rat experimental wounds

    Maquart FX; Bellon G; Chaqour B et al.. Journal of Clinical Investigation(1993). DOI: 10.1172/JCI116842

    PMID 8227353. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC288419/

  10. GHK-P010Primary paper cluster

    GHK-Cu modulation of wound glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2

    Simeon A; Wegrowski Y; Bontemps Y; Maquart FX et al.. Journal of Investigative Dermatology; Life Sciences(2000). DOI: 10.1016/S0024-3205(00)00803-1

    Connected 2000 reports. PMIDs 11121126 and 11045606.

  11. GHK-P011Primary paper

    The effect of topical tripeptide copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds

    Canapp SO Jr; Farese JP; Schultz GS et al.. Veterinary Surgery(2003). DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2003.00515.x

    PMID 14648529.

  12. GHK-P012Primary paper cluster

    Topical tripeptide-copper complex in rabbit open-wound models

    Cangul IT; Gul NY; Topal A; Yilmaz R et al.. Veterinary Dermatology(2006). DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2006.00551.x

    Includes a related 2008 low-level laser comparison. PMIDs 17083573 and 18177285.

  13. GHK-P013Primary paper

    The effect of topical copper tripeptide complex on irradiated wound healing in a rat model

    Parker NP; Hohman MH; Kleiner DE et al.. Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery(2013). DOI: 10.1177/0194599813492644

    PMID 23744835.

  14. GHK-P014Primary paper

    GHK-Cu liposomes accelerate scald-wound healing in mice

    Wang X et al.. Wound Repair and Regeneration(2017). DOI: 10.1111/wrr.12520

    PMID 28370978.

  15. GHK-P015Primary paper

    GHK-Cu-incorporated polymer film for infected burn-wound healing

    Sharma S et al.. ACS Omega(2019). DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b00655

    PMID 31815212. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6893953/

  16. GHK-P016Primary paper

    The effect of copper complexes on fibroblast proliferation and wound reorganization

    Buffoni F et al.(1995)

    PMID 8836453.

  17. GHK-P017Primary paper

    Effects of GHK-Cu on MMP and TIMP expression, collagen and elastin production, and facial wrinkle parameters

    Badenhorst T; Svirskis D; Merrilees M; Bolke L; Wu Z. Journal of Aging Science(2016). DOI: 10.4172/2329-8847.1000166

    Full text: https://www.walshmedicalmedia.com/open-access/effects-of-ghkcu-on-mmp-and-timp-expression-collagen-and-elastin-production-and-facial-wrinkle-parameters-2329-8847-1000166.pdf

  18. GHK-P018Primary paper

    Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin

    Miller TR; Wagner JD; Baack BR; Eisbach KJ. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery(2006). DOI: 10.1001/archfaci.8.4.252

    PMID 16847171.

  19. GHK-P019Primary paper

    Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper

    Mulder GD; Patt LM; Sanders L et al.. Wound Repair and Regeneration(1994). DOI: 10.1046/j.1524-475X.1994.20406.x

    Phase II matched-vehicle comparison. PMID 17147644. Must remain linked to GHK-P020 pivotal failure.

  20. GHK-P020Sponsor trial report

    Contemporary reports of ProCyte's 511-participant pivotal diabetic-ulcer program

    BioWorld; Seattle Times(1994)

    No peer-reviewed full report located. Seattle Times archive: https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19941017/1936453/procyte-drug-fails-test-stock-plunges----clinical-trials-cast-doubt-on-companys-future. Must remain linked to GHK-P019.

  21. GHK-P021Primary paper

    The efficacy of 2% copper peptide (GHK-Cu) serum for eyebrow hypotrichosis: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study

    Bo SL et al.. Procedia of Multidisciplinary Research(2026)

    Journal record and thesis full text. Thesis: https://mfuir.mfu.ac.th/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/1706/141538-Fulltext.pdf?sequence=1

  22. GHK-P022Exclusion-control paper

    The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro

    Pyo HK et al.. Archives of Pharmacal Research(2007). DOI: 10.1007/BF02978833

    Exclusion control: tested AHK-Cu, not GHK-Cu. PMID 17703734.

  23. GHK-P023Exclusion-control paper

    Efficacy of a photodynamic GHK conjugate (ALAVAX) in male androgenetic alopecia

    Lee CM et al.. Annals of Dermatology(2016)

    Exclusion control: copper-free GHK conjugate, not GHK-Cu. Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4969472/

  24. GHK-P024Review / provenance control

    GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration

    Pickart L; Vasquez-Soltero JM; Margolina A(2014)

    Claim-provenance control: reanalysis of free-GHK Connectivity Map profiles; not GHK-Cu exposure.

  25. GHK-P025Primary paper cluster

    GHK-Cu lung-injury and fibrosis model cluster

    Park JR et al.; Ma S et al.; Zhang et al.; Bian et al.. Multiple journals

    Heterogeneous mouse/model cluster, not exact replication. Includes PMID 31809714; Frontiers 2022 DOI/article; PMID 38879894.

  26. GHK-P026Primary paper

    GHK-Cu after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in rats

    Fu SC et al.. Journal of Orthopaedic Research(2015). DOI: 10.1002/jor.22831

    PMID 25731775.

  27. GHK-P027Primary paper

    Transdermal GHK-Cu delivery by a choline/geranic-acid microemulsion for hair growth in mice

    Liu et al.. Bioactive Materials(2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.10.002

    Full text: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10643103/

  28. GHK-P028Primary paper cluster

    Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro

    Hostynek JJ; Dreher F; Maibach HI(2010). DOI: 10.1007/s00011-010-0214-4

    2010–2011 cadaver-diffusion program; measured copper, not intact GHK-Cu. Related DOI 10.1007/s00011-010-0238-9.

  29. GHK-P029Trial registry

    NCT07437586 — CuHeal split-wound Phase 2 study of GHK-Cu gel versus identical vehicle

    ClinicalTrials.gov

    Recruiting protocol; no results.

  30. GHK-P030Regulatory record

    FDA records on compounded GHK-Cu safety risks and 503A category status

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA

    Route-specific compounded injectable context and interim compounding evaluation; not approval. 503A document: https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download

  31. GHK-P031Device record

    FDA Iamin wound-dressing device records K953853 and K970153

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA 510(k) database

    Device clearance, not drug approval. Related record K970153.

  32. GHK-P032Regulatory record

    Health Canada unauthorized GHK-Cu active pharmaceutical ingredient warning and TGA peptide guidance

    Health Canada; Therapeutic Goods Administration(2026)

    Health Canada warning plus TGA Peptides and social media guidance: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/news-articles/peptides-and-social-media