COPPER TRIPEPTIDE-1
Copper tripeptide, also known as GHK-Cu, consists of three amino acids (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) that form a chelate complex with a copper ion. It is a signaling and carrier peptide and is one of the most intensively researched peptides. It has been shown to have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.(1) GHK-Cu has also been shown to have a positive effect on fibroblasts, which are key cells involved in the regeneration and renewal processes of the skin.(2) As copper is an important trace element that plays a key role in the production of collagen and elastin, GHK-Cu can be a natural supply for copper in connective tissue synthesis.(3) It therefore supports and stimulates the body's own collagen, elastin and proteoglycan synthesis, which can improve skin elasticity and smoothness.(4-5)
(1)Pickart, L., & Margolina, A. (2018). Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in Light of New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1987.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19071987
(2)Liu, T., Hu, L., Lu, B., Bo, Y., Liao, Y., Zhan, J., & Zhang, J. (2023). A novel delivery vehicle for copper peptides. New Journal of Chemistry, 47(1), 75–83.
(3)Dou, Y., Lee, A., Zhu, L., Morton, J., & Ladiges, W. (2020). The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide. Aging Pathobiology and Therapeutics, 2(1), 58–61. https://doi.org/10.31491/apt.2020.03.014
(4) Schagen SK. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics. 2017; 4(2):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics4020016
(5) Leyden, J.J.; Stevens, T.; Finkey, M.B.; Barkovic, S. Skin care benefits of a facial cream containing copper peptides. In Proceedings of the 60th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, New Orleans, LA, USA, February 22–27, 2002; p. 29.
