GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine)
Also known as: GHK-Cu, Copper tripeptide, Glycine-Histidine-Lysine, GHK tripeptide, Glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Cu2+
Naturally occurring tripeptide / copper-binding peptide
What it is
GHK is a naturally occurring tripeptide (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine) found in human plasma and urine that forms a complex with copper (GHK-Cu). Based on the reviewed abstracts, proposed mechanisms include: (1) upregulation of proangiogenic factors (VEGF, bFGF) from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells via integrin-mediated signaling (α6 and β1 integrins); (2) stimulation of fibroblast collagen synthesis (COL1 mRNA expression, procollagen type I C-peptide production) and bFGF secretion; (3) anti-aging effects in C. elegans through mitochondrial preservation (increased membrane potential, shifted dynamics toward fusion via drp-1/fzo-1 regulation, ATP biosynthesis promotion) and activation of DAF-16/SKN-1 pathways with upregulation of sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7, lys-8; (4) anti-inflammatory activity via suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), reduction of ROS/NO, improvement of SOD activity, and downregulation of the JAK1 pathway; (5) mucosal healing in colitis via regulation of the SIRT1/STAT3 pathway and tight junction protein (ZO-1, Occludin) upregulation; (6) membrane permeation as GHK-Cu and (GHK)2-Cu complexes through stratum corneum models.
Class: Naturally occurring tripeptide / copper-binding peptide
What it's studied for
- Wound healing and tissue repair In vitro only
- GHK covalently coupled to alginate hydrogels increased VEGF and bFGF secretion from human MSC; enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubule formation. Effect was integrin-mediated (α6 and β1 integrins). PMID 24468583 Jose et al., Acta Biomaterialia (2014)
- Cu-GHK combined with LED photoirradiation increased collagen production (197.6 ng/mL P1CP), bFGF secretion (~230% increase), and COL1 mRNA expression (~70% increase) vs LED alone in human fibroblasts (HS68). PMID 17603859 Huang et al., Photomedicine and Laser Surgery (2007)
- GHK-Cu (1×10⁻⁹ mol/L) accelerated growth of normal and irradiated fibroblasts and increased bFGF and VEGF production early after exposure in irradiated fibroblasts. PMID 15655171 Pollard et al., Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery (2005)
- Peptide nanofiber-gold nanoparticle hybrids functionalized with GHK demonstrated wound-healing capabilities; amino acid sequence (GHK vs KHG) influenced lysine surface exposure and wound-healing efficacy. PMID 40019920 Jeon et al., ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025)
- Anti-aging / geroprotection Animal studies only
- GHK-Cu significantly extended lifespan of C. elegans, improved motility, pharyngeal pumping, defecation rhythm, resistance to oxidative and thermal stress, and reduced lipofuscin/lipid accumulation. Mechanisms involve mitochondrial preservation and DAF-16/SKN-1 pathway activation. PMID 42084774 Wen et al., Biogerontology (2026)
- Anti-inflammatory activity Animal studies only
- GHK-Cu decreased neutrophil and macrophage migration, suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and increased IL-10 in zebrafish larvae models of CuSO4 and LPS-induced inflammation. Reduced NO and ROS; improved SOD activity; downregulated JAK1 pathway. PMID 41997403 Hu et al., European Journal of Pharmacology (2026)
- GHK-Cu alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice, suppressing TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, promoting mucosal repair, upregulating ZO-1 and Occludin, and regulating the SIRT1/STAT3 pathway. Also reduced Th17 cells (RORγt suppression). PMID 40672369 Mao et al., Frontiers in Pharmacology (2025)
- Antioxidant activity Animal studies only
- GHK-Cu enhanced resistance to oxidative stress in C. elegans, upregulated antioxidant genes (sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7, lys-8) via DAF-16/SKN-1 pathways. PMID 42084774 Wen et al., Biogerontology (2026)
- GHK-Cu reduced levels of ROS and NO, and improved SOD activity in zebrafish larvae. PMID 41997403 Hu et al., European Journal of Pharmacology (2026)
- Pharmaceutical co-former / drug solubility enhancement In vitro only
- GHK used as a co-former in co-amorphous systems achieved complete amorphization of mebendazole, tadalafil, and indomethacin within 15 min of ball milling, significantly enhanced dissolution performance, and maintained physical stability for at least 6 months. PMID 41771428 Huang et al., European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (2026)
- pH nanosensing / fluorescent nanoparticle construction In vitro only
- GHK co-assembled with oxidized dopamine to form fluorescent pH nanosensors with a quantum yield of 20.82%, demonstrating utility for biolabeling/imaging/sensing applications. PMID 32598511 Zheng et al., Luminescence (2021)
- Cancer cell killing / photothermal therapy (as nanohybrid component) In vitro only
- GHK-functionalized peptide nanofiber-gold nanoparticle hybrids demonstrated superior NIR light absorption and photothermal conversion efficiency, enabling effective eradication of cancer cells and organoids under NIR irradiation. PMID 40019920 Jeon et al., ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2025)
- Transdermal / topical delivery (formulation studies) In vitro only
- GHK-Cu characterized as highly hydrophilic (log D -2.38 to -2.49 at pH 4.5–7.4); stable in water and pH 4.5–7.4 buffers for at least 2 weeks at 60°C; susceptible to hydrolytic cleavage under basic and oxidative stressors; compatible with Span 60-based niosomes. PMID 25384620 Badenhorst et al., Pharmaceutical Development and Technology (2016)
- Only GHK tripeptide and its copper complexes (GHK-Cu and (GHK)2-Cu) were able to migrate through a liposome model membrane of stratum corneum. Permeability coefficients increased with increasing pH. PMID 19071668 Mazurowska & Mojski, Talanta (2007)
Community-reported dosing
| Route | Dose | Frequency / Duration | Population / context | Source tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In vitro cell culture medium | 1×10⁻⁹ mol/L (1 nM) | Not explicitly stated (acute exposure) | in_vitro | Research PMID 15655171 |
| In vitro cell culture / covalently coupled to alginate hydrogels | Wide range tested; specific concentrations not enumerated in abstract (dose-dependent increase in VEGF noted) | Not explicitly stated | in_vitro | Research PMID 24468583 |
| In vitro cell culture supplementation | Cu-GHK concentration not explicitly stated in abstract | Not explicitly stated | in_vitro | Research PMID 17603859 |
| Not explicitly stated (C. elegans model) | Specific dose not stated in abstract | Lifespan study (duration not explicitly stated) | animal | Research PMID 42084774 |
| Not explicitly stated (zebrafish larvae model) | Specific dose not stated in abstract | Not explicitly stated | animal | Research PMID 41997403 |
| Not explicitly stated (murine model) | Specific dose not stated in abstract | DSS induction for 14 days; GHK-Cu treatment duration not explicitly stated | animal | Research PMID 40672369 |
| subcutaneous injection | 1-2 mg | daily | biohackers and anti-aging enthusiasts exploring GHK without copper chelation | [S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data |
| subcutaneous injection | 1 mg | daily | biohackers interested in wound healing and anti-fibrotic effects | [S] Claude Sonnet 4.6 — synthesized from aggregate training data |
Tier key: Research = PMID-cited study · [C] = scraped community source · [S] = model-synthesized from aggregate community reports (softer evidence). How we source.
Safety signals
- No apparent cytotoxic effects on human MSC in culture over a wide range of concentrations (in vitro; no specific concentration range stated). PMID 24468583
- Poor biological stability and limited efficacy in physiological medium identified as significant hindrances to clinical application of native GHK tripeptide. PMID 40019920
- GHK-Cu susceptible to hydrolytic cleavage under basic and oxidative stressors; degradation products include the amino acid histidine (identified by HPLC-MS). PMID 25384620
- No human safety or adverse event data identified in the reviewed abstracts. All biological effect data derive from in vitro or non-mammalian/rodent animal models. PMID 42084774
Contraindications
- No contraindications stated in the reviewed literature. Human safety data are absent from all reviewed abstracts. PMID 25384620
Frequently asked
What is GHK-Cu and where does it come from naturally?
GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in human plasma and urine that readily forms a complex with copper (GHK-Cu). It was described in one study as a peptide fragment of osteonectin, a matricellular protein with reported proangiogenic potential.
What has research shown GHK-Cu can do?
Published laboratory and animal studies have investigated GHK-Cu for: wound healing and collagen synthesis in human fibroblasts; promoting proangiogenic factor secretion (VEGF, bFGF) from mesenchymal stem cells; anti-aging effects and extended lifespan in C. elegans; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in zebrafish larvae; and mucosal healing in a mouse colitis model. Note: the vast majority of this evidence is from in vitro or animal studies — no human clinical trials on GHK-Cu were identified in the reviewed literature.
What dose of GHK-Cu should I take?
I'm not a medical professional and can't recommend a protocol for you specifically. What research has shown: The only specific dose stated in the reviewed abstracts is 1×10⁻⁹ mol/L (1 nM) used in an in vitro fibroblast study. No human dosing data were identified in the reviewed literature.
Is GHK-Cu safe for human use?
I don't have reliable study data on that specific question. I won't guess — please consult a licensed provider or peer-reviewed literature directly. What the reviewed abstracts do note: no cytotoxicity was observed in human MSC in vitro over a wide concentration range; however, no human clinical safety or pharmacokinetic data were identified in any of the reviewed abstracts. The peptide has known stability limitations under basic and oxidative conditions.
Can GHK-Cu be applied to skin? Is it absorbed?
Preformulation studies characterize GHK-Cu as highly hydrophilic (log D -2.38 to -2.49 at pH 4.5–7.4), which may limit passive skin penetration. An in vitro liposome membrane model showed that GHK and its copper complexes (GHK-Cu and (GHK)2-Cu) could migrate through a model of the stratum corneum, with permeability increasing at higher pH. Carrier systems (e.g., niosomes) have been studied to facilitate delivery. No human skin absorption data were identified.
What happens to GHK-Cu if it is not stored properly?
Based on formulation studies, GHK-Cu is susceptible to hydrolytic cleavage under basic and oxidative conditions, and less so under acidic conditions. It was found to be stable in water and pH 4.5–7.4 buffers for at least 2 weeks at 60°C. Degradation products identified by HPLC-MS include the amino acid histidine. It is less stable in the presence of the negatively charged lipid dicetyl phosphate.
Can I stack GHK-Cu with other peptides or compounds?
I can't recommend combining compounds — that's a prescribing decision. Here's what has been studied individually: GHK-Cu has been studied in isolation for wound healing, angiogenesis, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory effects. One study combined Cu-GHK with LED photoirradiation in vitro and found synergistic increases in collagen production and bFGF secretion compared to LED alone, but this is a physical (not pharmacological) combination.
Is GHK-Cu approved by the FDA or other regulatory agencies?
The reviewed scientific abstracts do not state the current regulatory status of GHK-Cu with the US FDA, Health Canada, or WADA. This requires manual verification with the relevant regulatory authority.
What is the mechanism by which GHK-Cu promotes wound healing?
Based on reviewed abstracts, several mechanisms have been proposed: (1) GHK stimulates human MSC to secrete VEGF and bFGF via integrin (α6, β1)-mediated signaling; (2) GHK-Cu combined with LED photoirradiation increases COL1 mRNA expression (~70%), P1CP production (~30%), and bFGF secretion (~230%) in human fibroblasts compared to LED alone; (3) GHK-Cu accelerates growth of normal and irradiated fibroblasts and increases early bFGF and VEGF production. These findings are all from in vitro studies.
Can GHK-Cu treat my inflammatory bowel disease or colitis?
I can't suggest treatments for medical conditions. Please speak with a licensed healthcare provider. For research context: one mouse study found GHK-Cu reduced markers of colitis (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β), promoted mucosal repair, and upregulated tight junction proteins ZO-1 and Occludin via the SIRT1/STAT3 pathway in a DSS-induced colitis model. No human clinical data were identified in the reviewed literature.
References
- [1] PMID 24468583 — GHK covalently coupled to alginate hydrogels increased VEGF and bFGF secretion from human MSC; enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tubule fo
- [2] PMID 17603859 — Cu-GHK combined with LED photoirradiation increased collagen production (197.6 ng/mL P1CP), bFGF secretion (~230% increase), and COL1 mRNA expression (~70% incr
- [3] PMID 15655171 — GHK-Cu (1×10⁻⁹ mol/L) accelerated growth of normal and irradiated fibroblasts and increased bFGF and VEGF production early after exposure in irradiated fibrobla
- [4] PMID 40019920 — Peptide nanofiber-gold nanoparticle hybrids functionalized with GHK demonstrated wound-healing capabilities; amino acid sequence (GHK vs KHG) influenced lysine
- [5] PMID 42084774 — GHK-Cu significantly extended lifespan of C. elegans, improved motility, pharyngeal pumping, defecation rhythm, resistance to oxidative and thermal stress, and
- [6] PMID 41997403 — GHK-Cu decreased neutrophil and macrophage migration, suppressed TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and increased IL-10 in zebrafish larvae models of CuSO4 and LPS-induced infl
- [7] PMID 40672369 — GHK-Cu alleviated DSS-induced colitis in mice, suppressing TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, promoting mucosal repair, upregulating ZO-1 and Occludin, and regulating the SIRT
- [8] PMID 41771428 — GHK used as a co-former in co-amorphous systems achieved complete amorphization of mebendazole, tadalafil, and indomethacin within 15 min of ball milling, signi
- [9] PMID 32598511 — GHK co-assembled with oxidized dopamine to form fluorescent pH nanosensors with a quantum yield of 20.82%, demonstrating utility for biolabeling/imaging/sensing
- [10] PMID 25384620 — GHK-Cu characterized as highly hydrophilic (log D -2.38 to -2.49 at pH 4.5–7.4); stable in water and pH 4.5–7.4 buffers for at least 2 weeks at 60°C; susceptibl
- [11] PMID 19071668 — Only GHK tripeptide and its copper complexes (GHK-Cu and (GHK)2-Cu) were able to migrate through a liposome model membrane of stratum corneum. Permeability coef