peptide wiki

Melanotan I

aka Afamelanotide

Melanocortin

Mechanism

Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of alpha-MSH that selectively activates MC1R. FDA-approved as Scenesse for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), it is distinct from Melanotan II and is studied for melanogenesis and photoprotection.

Identification

CAS number75921-69-6
Molecular formulaC78H111N21O19
SequenceSYSNEHFRWGKPV
Typical dose16 mg subcutaneous implant every 2 months (approved EPP regimen); research injection doses of 0.08–0.21 mg/kg/day subcutaneous used in early trials
Half-life~30–50 minutes (plasma elimination half-life after subcutaneous injection; implant formulation releases over ~10 days)

Vendors selling Melanotan I

VendorSizePriceListed purityTrust
Moglabs 10 mg $28.00 96
Orbitrex Peptides $39.99 95
Profound Aminos 10 mg $59.00 95
Prime Peptides 10 mg $45.00 95
Peptide Tech 10 mg $29.99 94
Amino Club $29.99 93
Skye Peptides 10 mg $49.00 90
Peptide Plugs 10 mg $40.00 89
Qihang Peptide 87
EZ Peptides 10 mg $44.00 85
Peptidegurus 10 mg 84
Ascension Peptides 10 mg $50.00 84
Cocer Peptides 10 mg $60.00 82
Crystal Peptides 10 mg $39.99 66
MJT peptides 10 mg $65.00 39
Cernum Biosciences 10 mg $52.99
Ruo Bio 10 mg $28.00
Alpha Omega 10 mg $45.00
Atomik Labz 10 mg $40.00
Atomik Labz 10 mg $29.00
Bulk Peptides 10 mg $140.00
Felix Chemical Supply 10 mg $29.99
Kimera Chems $46.99
Oneday Compounds 10 mg $39.99
Polaris Peptides 13 mg $50.00
Solution Peptides 10 mg $38.00
Solution Peptides 10 mg $29.00
Soma Peptides 10 mg $49.00
Southern Aminos 10 mg $44.25
Wellness Peptides $40.00

Research

Five primary melanomas in situ in a patient with recent tanning bed use, melanotan exposure, and anabolic hormone use
Vadner DJ, Smith S. · JAAD case reports (2026) · case-report
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Insights into Tanning Biology and Tanning Products
Resnick G, Khajeh-Afzaly M, Yousefian F, Raza A, Issa NT. · The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology (2026) · review

Objective This systematic review aims to critically assess the literature on the mechanisms of action, clinical uses, formulation strategies, and adverse effects of self-tanning agents, with a focus on dihydroxyacetone (DHA), melanotan, forskolin, and carotenoids.

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Changes in Oral Mucosa Associated with Melanotan II Injections: A Case Report
Bonchev A. · Life (Basel, Switzerland) (2026) · case-report

This case report presents a three-month follow-up of a patient who self-administered Melanotan II injections over a period of 64 days with the goal of achieving a deeper tanning effect. Melanotan II is an unlicensed synthetic peptide analog belonging to the melanocortin hormone family.

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A single-centre, prospective, qualitative analysis of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of sunbed use among patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic in a tertiary referral centre
Lai FY, Quigley C, Murray G, Gordon A, Yong JF, Yoo H, Howard-James C, Impey K, Blake C, Tobin AM. · Skin health and disease (2025) ·

Background Indoor tanning through sunbeds is linked to a heightened risk of skin cancers, particularly cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, with significant increases in risk for users aged Objectives To analyse the characteristics, attitudes and behaviours of sunbed users attending an Irish derm…

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Journey through the spectacular landscape of melanocortin 1 receptor
Upadhyay PR, Swope VB, Starner RJ, Koikov L, Abdel-Malek ZA. · Pigment cell & melanoma research (2024) · review

The physiological role of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone in regulating integumental pigmentation of many vertebrate species has been recognized since the 1960's. However, its physiological significance for human pigmentation remained enigmatic until the 1990's.

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Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R): Pharmacological and Therapeutic Aspects
Mun Y, Kim W, Shin D. · International journal of molecular sciences (2023) · review

Melanocortins play crucial roles in regulating the stress response, inflammation, and skin pigmentation. In this review, we focus on the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a G protein-coupled receptor primarily known for regulating skin pigmentation and exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects.

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Effects of the central melanocortin system on feed intake, metabolic hormones and insulin action in the sheep
Ehrhardt RA, Giesy SL, Hileman SM, Houseknecht KL, Boisclair YR. · Journal of animal science (2023) · animal

Voluntary feed intake is insufficient to meet the nutrient demands associated with late pregnancy in prolific ewes and early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows. Under these conditions, peripheral signals such as growth hormone and ceramides trigger adaptations aimed at preserving metabolic well-being.

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Use of melanotan I and II in the general population
Evans-Brown M, Dawson RT, Chandler M, McVeigh J. · BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (2009) ·
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Pharmacologic response of a controlled-release PLGA formulation for the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone analog, Melanotan-I
Bhardwaj R, Hadley ME, Dorr RT, Dvorakova K, Brooks C, Blanchard J. · Pharmaceutical research (2000) · animal

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the melanogenic activity of one-month duration Melanotan-I (MT-I) implants prepared using poly (D,L lactide-co-glycolide) polymer.

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Discovery and development of novel melanogenic drugs. Melanotan-I and -II
Hadley ME, Hruby VJ, Blanchard J, Dorr RT, Levine N, Dawson BV, al-Obeidi F, Sawyer TK. · Pharmaceutical biotechnology (1998) · review
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Skin pigmentation and pharmacokinetics of melanotan-I in humans
Ugwu SO, Blanchard J, Dorr RT, Levine N, Brooks C, Hadley ME, Aickin M, Hruby VJ. · Biopharmaceutics & drug disposition (1997) · rct

A comparative pharmacokinetic trial was performed with a superpotent synthetic melanotropic peptide, [Nle4-D-Phe7]-alpha-MSHi-13 (melanotan-I or MT-I) given by three routes of administration. Plasma levels were measured by RIA and tanning was quantiated using serial reflectometry.

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Controlled-release delivery system for the alpha-MSH analog melanotan-I using poloxamer 407
Bhardwaj R, Blanchard J. · Journal of pharmaceutical sciences (1996) · animal

The overall objective of these studies was to develop a controlled-release formulation of Melanotan-I (MT-I) containing poloxamer 407 (P407).

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