Skin Pigment
Melanotan II activates signals that tell skin cells to make more pigment. Small human studies reported darker skin.
Dermal and Matrix Research
Melanotan II — 10 mg
10 mg / vial
Melanotan II is a synthetic peptide related to the natural hormone signal alpha-MSH. Researchers study melanocortin receptors involved in pigment production, energy, temperature and nerve signals. Evidence includes receptor work, animal studies and a very small early human study.
€40,00
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For in-vitro laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use.This information is provided for scientific and educational product context only. It does not describe or recommend human use, veterinary use, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, dosage, administration, or clinical application.
At a glance
What It Does in the Body
Sexual Response
It also affects brain signals connected to sexual response. Early human research reported changes in erection strength and duration.
Sexual Desire
Some people in early research reported increased sexual desire. This effect may differ between people.
NECESSARY RESEARCH EQUIPMENT
Bacteriostatic Water
Available separately for laboratory use.
Bacteriostatic Water — 3 mL
€10,00
Bacteriostatic Water — 10 mL
€15,00
Document available
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Full research details
Full research details for Melanotan II
Read the supporting laboratory, animal and human research. This section does not provide instructions for human or veterinary use, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, dosage or administration.
What this compound is
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic peptide related to alpha-MSH, a natural hormone signal. Researchers developed it to study melanocortin receptors, a receptor family involved in pigmentation and several other biological systems. Work includes receptor studies, animal experiments and a small early human study.
MaterialSynthetic cyclic melanocortin analogue
Main research areaMelanocortin receptor signalling
Evidence availableReceptor, animal and small early human studies
Catalogue categoryDermal and Matrix Research
How It Works
Normal target and function. Melanotan II activates several melanocortin receptors. MC1R normally tells melanocytes to make more melanin pigment. Other melanocortin receptors help regulate appetite, energy use, temperature and sexual-response circuits. Because several receptors respond, one observed effect cannot be assigned to one pathway automatically.
Melanocortin receptors are numbered MC1R to MC5R and are found in different tissues. MC1R helps regulate pigment production in skin cells, while other family members take part in energy, temperature and neural signalling. Melanotan II can interact with more than one receptor. Receptor-selective controls help identify which pathway produced a measured change.
MC1 receptor
This receptor is linked with pigment signals in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin.
Receptor family
Melanotan II can interact with several melanocortin receptor types.
Animal physiology
Mouse studies examine temperature and energy-related responses under controlled conditions.
Early human research
A small pilot study measured pigmentation and other biological responses.
Laboratory and Animal Research
Receptor experiments show broad melanocortin activity, and animal studies have reported pigment, temperature and energy-related responses. Species and receptor-pattern differences limit translation to people.
Measurements used in these studies
- Binding across different melanocortin receptor types
- Pigment-related signals in cells and early studies
- Temperature and energy endpoints in animal models
- Safety observations and uncertainty in small human research
Human Research
What human studies have reported
A placebo-controlled phase 1 pilot included only three male volunteers. Two showed increased pigmentation after the study period. The study also recorded nausea, fatigue or sleepiness, stretching and yawning, and spontaneous erections. This tiny early study cannot establish an approved use or long-term safety.
Effects researchers measured
- Quantitative and visible increases in pigmentation in two of three participants
- Spontaneous erections that appeared alongside stretching and yawning
- The study was designed as an early safety and biological-activity pilot, not proof of a consumer outcome
Adverse effects reported
- Mild nausea at most tested levels
- Fatigue and sleepiness in one participant at the highest tested level
- Stretching, yawning and spontaneous erections lasting intermittently for hours
Product boundary. The findings came from three monitored volunteers receiving a defined investigational preparation. They do not establish the identity, safety or performance of this listing.
| Evidence type | What was studied | How much evidence | What this means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory research | Melanocortin receptor studies | Mechanistic | Research describes activity across several receptor types. |
| Animal research | Pigmentation and physiology models | Preclinical | Animal outcomes depend on species, receptor pattern and study conditions. |
| Human research | Pigmentation and sexual-response studies | Early and very limited | Very small studies measured pigmentation, erection rigidity and participant-reported desire. They did not establish an approved use. |
Research references
Melanocortin receptor structure and function
PubMed, 2011
Background on the receptor family and its different roles.
Melanotan II pilot phase 1 studyPubMed, 1996
Small early human study; it does not establish approval.
Melanotan II in mouse temperature researchPubMed, 2018
Animal study of a specific physiological endpoint.
Melanotan II sexual-response crossover studyPubMed, 1998
Ten-person placebo-controlled study measuring erection duration and rigidity.
Melanotan II desire and rigidity studyPubMed, 2000
Ten-person crossover study including participant-reported sexual desire.