Melanocortin-system peptides
α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
Also known as alpha-MSH · α-melanotropin
The natural 13-amino-acid melanocortin hormone cleaved from POMC — the template for every melanotan analogue.
In 60 seconds
Endogenous hormone and research tool; studied in inflammation, neurodegeneration and melanoma biology. Natural α-MSH is short-lived; safety concerns in the literature centre on its synthetic, unregulated analogues.
- Reviews α-MSH as the most potent natural melanotropic peptide, acting through widely expressed melanocortin receptors.
- Reviews hypothalamic α-MSH as an anorexigenic peptide in appetite regulation.
- In a sarcoidosis-like granuloma model, α-MSH had anti-inflammatory effects via p-CREB.
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.
Research status
Endogenous hormone and research tool; studied in inflammation, neurodegeneration and melanoma biology.
Key studies
Reviews α-MSH as the most potent natural melanotropic peptide, acting through widely expressed melanocortin receptors.
alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone, inflammation and human melanoma — Peptides, 2006 · PMID 16274844
Reviews hypothalamic α-MSH as an anorexigenic peptide in appetite regulation.
Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone-Mediated Appetite Regulation in the Central Nervous System — Neuroendocrinology, 2023 · PMID 37094550
In a sarcoidosis-like granuloma model, α-MSH had anti-inflammatory effects via p-CREB.
Anti-inflammatory effects of α-MSH through p-CREB expression in sarcoidosis like granuloma model — Sci Rep, 2020 · PMID 32350353
Reviews preclinical evidence for α-MSH neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s models.
α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone as a Potential Therapy for Alzheimer`s Disease — Curr Alzheimer Res, 2017 · PMID 27539595
Safety signals in the literature
Natural α-MSH is short-lived; safety concerns in the literature centre on its synthetic, unregulated analogues.
Legal status (South Africa)
Melanocortin-agonist peptides such as melanotan are named in SAHPRA warnings; registered melanocortin medicines are prescription-only. Research use only.
Related compounds we stock
Not stocked yet — get notified
Tell us you want α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) and we’ll email you if we add it. Requests decide what we source next.
Not stocked yet
Get notified when we add α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)
One email, only when it reaches the catalogue. Every request is counted when we choose what to stock next.
Comparisons
Questions
What is α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)?
The natural 13-amino-acid melanocortin hormone cleaved from POMC — the template for every melanotan analogue. 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.
What is the research status of α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)?
Endogenous hormone and research tool; studied in inflammation, neurodegeneration and melanoma biology.
What safety signals are reported for α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)?
Natural α-MSH is short-lived; safety concerns in the literature centre on its synthetic, unregulated analogues.
Does Living Water Labs stock α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone)?
Not at present. α-MSH (Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) is profiled here for reference, with citations to the published literature. You can ask to be notified if we add it. Melanocortin-agonist peptides such as melanotan are named in SAHPRA warnings; registered melanocortin medicines are prescription-only. Research use only.
More in Melanocortin
Research reference only. This page summarises published literature; it is not medical advice and contains no guidance on human use. Products supplied by Living Water Labs are for laboratory research only.
