α-MSH vs KPV
KPV is the last three amino acids of alpha-MSH. It keeps much of the parent hormone’s anti-inflammatory activity in research models while dropping the pigmentation effects tied to MC1R.
α-MSH
The natural 13-amino-acid melanocortin hormone cleaved from POMC — the template for every melanotan analogue.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Melanocortin
Read the cited profile →
KPV
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Gut and skin inflammation models
R439View product →
Side by side · to buy
Price, purity and dispatch
| Compare | α-MSH | KPV10mg |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | R439 |
| Cost per mg | — | R43.9 / mg |
| Purity (Janoshik) | — | 99.919%HPLC, published |
| Stock | — | Restocking |
| Dispatch | — | When restocked |
| Certificate | — | View CoA → |
| Literature | — | 4 papers → |
| Research focus | Melanocortin | Gut and skin inflammation models |
| Read the cited profile | Notify me |
Prices are read live from the catalogue. Cost per mg is the vial price over its stated mg. Purity is shown only where the certificate is published. Every compound is supplied for laboratory research only.
SIDE BY SIDE
| α-MSH | KPV | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | Full 13-amino-acid hormone | Its C-terminal tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) |
| Class | Melanocortin | Repair & immune |
| Mechanism | α-MSH acts across melanocortin receptors: MC1R on melanocytes (pigmentation, photoprotection), MC4R in the hypothalamus (appetite suppression) and immune-cell receptors that mediate anti-inflammatory effects. | KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. |
| Status | Endogenous hormone and research tool; studied in inflammation, neurodegeneration and melanoma biology. | Investigational tripeptide (the C-terminal end of alpha-MSH); not an approved medicine. |
| Reported safety signals | Natural α-MSH is short-lived; safety concerns in the literature centre on its synthetic, unregulated analogues. | No controlled human safety data; findings are from cell and rodent inflammation models. |
| A key study | Reviews α-MSH as the most potent natural melanotropic peptide, acting through widely expressed melanocortin receptors. (Peptides 2006, PMID 16274844) | PepT1-mediated uptake of KPV reduced intestinal inflammation and pro-inflammatory signalling in cell and mouse models. (Gastroenterology 2008, PMID 18061177) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
Alpha-MSH for the full melanocortin profile; KPV for anti-inflammatory work without pigmentation. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [α-MSH] alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone, inflammation and human melanoma — Peptides 2006. PMID 16274844
- [α-MSH] Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone-Mediated Appetite Regulation in the Central Nervous System — Neuroendocrinology 2023. PMID 37094550
- [α-MSH] Anti-inflammatory effects of α-MSH through p-CREB expression in sarcoidosis like granuloma model — Sci Rep 2020. PMID 32350353
- [KPV] PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation — Gastroenterology 2008. PMID 18061177
- [KPV] Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease — Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008. PMID 18092346
- [KPV] Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of anti-inflammatory tripeptide KPV — Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016. PMID 27458604
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is the difference between α-MSH and KPV?
KPV is the last three amino acids of alpha-MSH. It keeps much of the parent hormone’s anti-inflammatory activity in research models while dropping the pigmentation effects tied to MC1R.
What is the regulatory status of α-MSH and KPV?
α-MSH: Endogenous hormone and research tool; studied in inflammation, neurodegeneration and melanoma biology. KPV: Investigational tripeptide (the C-terminal end of alpha-MSH); not an approved medicine.
What safety signals have been reported?
α-MSH: Natural α-MSH is short-lived; safety concerns in the literature centre on its synthetic, unregulated analogues. KPV: No controlled human safety data; findings are from cell and rodent inflammation models.
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For α-MSH: “alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone, inflammation and human melanoma” (PMID 16274844); “Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone-Mediated Appetite Regulation in the Central Nervous System” (PMID 37094550); “Anti-inflammatory effects of α-MSH through p-CREB expression in sarcoidosis like granuloma model” (PMID 32350353). For KPV: “PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation” (PMID 18061177); “Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease” (PMID 18092346); “Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of anti-inflammatory tripeptide KPV” (PMID 27458604).
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