GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide): scientific evidence from Pickart 1973 to today

EXOMA Scientific Team · Publicado el 24 de mayo de 2026 · Actualizado el 18 de septiembre de 2026

Comprehensive review of the copper tripeptide GHK-Cu (Gly-His-Lys + Cu²⁺): discovery by Pickart in 1973, molecular mechanism, in vitro and preclinical evidence, comparison vs Basic GHK y BPC-157, and presentations available in Mexico.

TL;DR

GHK-Cu is a natural tripeptide Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine (Gly-His-Lys) complexed with divalent copper (Cu²⁺) in a 1:1 ratio. Isolated by Loren Pickart in 1973 from human serum albumin, it has accumulated >50 years of literature on extracellular matrix modulation, gene expression and metalloenzymes. EXOMA Peptides offers 50 mg and 100 mg presentations with HPLC purity and COA per batch, exclusively for research use.

Index

1. Historia y descubrimiento
2. Estructura química y complejación con cobre
3. Mecanismos moleculares
4. Evidencia in vitro y preclínica
5. GHK-Cu vs GHK básico vs BPC-157
6. Stability, reconstitution, and storage
7. Presentaciones disponibles in Mexico
8. Marco regulatorio y advertencia
9. FAQ
10. References

1. History and discovery

Loren Pickart isolated the GHK tripeptide in 1973 while investigating a serum factor capable of reversing aging-associated changes in cultures of old rat hepatocytes. The first publication described its ability to restore protein synthesis to the pattern observed in young rat hepatocytes:

Pickart L, Thaler MM. Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nat New Biol. 1973;243(124):85-87. doi:10.1038/newbio243085a0

In 1980, Pickart and Lovejoy demonstrated that the tripeptide's activity depends critically on its complexation with divalent copper (Cu²⁺), which gave rise to the GHK-Cu complex used in virtually all subsequent literature.

2. Chemical structure and copper complexation

GHK-Cu is a coordination complex in which the Cu²⁺ ion binds to:

• El terminal nitrogen of glycine
• El imidazole nitrogen of histidine
• El carbonyl oxygen of the Gly-His peptide bond
• With lower affinity, the ε-amino group of lysine

Molecular formula of the free peptide: C₁₄H₂₄N₆O₄ (MW 340.4 g/mol). The complex with copper adds Cu²⁺ and usually includes acetate counterions from the synthesis process.

The characteristic blue-turquoise color of the reconstituted solution is a visual proxy for the integrity of the copper-tripeptide complex. Degradation by light, oxidation or extreme pH discolors the solution.

3. Molecular mechanisms

The literature on GHK-Cu reports multiple mechanistic axes —all in in vitro systems or preclinical models:

• Modulation of the extracellular matrix: increased synthesis of collagen I, III, IV; elastin; glycosaminoglycans; decorin (Maquart et al. 1988; doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80346-8)
• Activation of metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors (MMP/TIMP) with a net pro-remodeling effect
• Modulation of >4,000 genes according to transcriptomic analysis in human fibroblasts (Pickart et al. 2015; doi:10.1155/2015/648108)
• Activation of copper-dependent cascades via SOD1, lysyl oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase
• Antioxidant activity via sequestration of free iron and modulation of Fenton

4. In vitro and preclinical evidence

Dermal fibroblasts

Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu²⁺. FEBS Lett. 1988;238(2):343-346.

Transcriptomic analysis

Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. doi:10.1155/2015/648108

Models of tissue damage in rodents

Multiple studies have documented modulation of healing in preclinical rodent models, in topical and infiltrated application.

Hair and hair follicle models

Pyo HK et al. The Effect of Tripeptide-Copper Complex on Human Hair Growth in Vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. doi:10.1007/BF02978833

Toxicology

No significant adverse events have been reported in published preclinical models with doses within the physiological range. Copper toxicity remains within safe margins owing to the binding of Cu²⁺ to the tripeptide.

5. GHK-Cu vs basic GHK vs BPC-157

GHK-Cu and BPC-157 are structurally unrelated molecules and their research lines point to different biological contexts.

6. Stability, reconstitution and storage

Standard procedure (research use):

1. Disinfect the stopper of the lyophilized vial and of the vial of bacteriostatic water
2. Aspirar el volumen calculado de BAC con jeringa de insulina
3. Inject slowly onto the inner wall
4. Rotar suavemente hasta solución turquoise-blue transparente
5. Almacenar refrigerado (2–8 °C) strictly protected from light

Photodegradation is the main mode of degradation. Avoid violent agitation and freeze-thaw cycles.

7. Presentations available in Mexico

EXOMA Peptides offers 2 presentations of lyophilized GHK-Cu with HPLC purity and COA per batch:

• GHK-Cu 50 mg
• GHK-Cu 100 mg (best cost per milligram)

Envío 1-4 días hábiles según zona a toda la República. $200 MXN fijo; gratuito desde $2,000 MXN. GHK-Cu scientific hub with a price table and availability by lot.

8. Regulatory framework and warning

EXOMA Peptides markets GHK-Cu exclusively for research use in vitro or in preclinical models.

9. Frequently asked questions

Consult the validated FAQs on each GHK-Cu presentation in the hub page.

10. Selected references

1. Pickart L, Thaler MM. Nat New Biol. 1973;243:85-87. doi:10.1038/newbio243085a0
2. Pickart L, Lovejoy S. Methods Enzymol. 1987;147:314-328.
3. Maquart FX et al. FEBS Lett. 1988;238:343-346. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80346-8
4. Pickart L. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19(8):969-988. doi:10.1163/156856208784909435
5. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. BioMed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. doi:10.1155/2015/648108
6. Pyo HK et al. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. doi:10.1007/BF02978833
7. Pickart L, Margolina A. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987
8. Hostynek JJ et al. Inflamm Res. 2010;59(11):983-988. doi:10.1007/s00011-010-0214-4
9. Gruchlik A et al. Acta Pol Pharm. 2012;69(6):1303-1306.
10. Pickart L, Margolina A. J Aging Res Clin Pract. 2012;1(2):92-100.

Material for research use only. It does not constitute a clinical recommendation.

References

Material for research use only. The following primary sources support the scientific claims of this article:

1. Huang PJ, Huang YC, Su MF, et al. In vitro observations on the influence of copper peptide aids for the LED photoirradiation of fibroblast collagen synthesis. Photomed Laser Surg. 2007;25(3):183-190. (in vitro)
2. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987.

Products available at EXOMA

• GHK-Cu (lyophilized)
• GHK-Cu topical serum