GHK Básico: Scientific Profile

Publicado el 12 de julio de 2026 · Actualizado el 17 de julio de 2026

Basic GHK (Gly-His-Lys, Tripeptide-1; CAS 49557-75-7) is the copper-free form of the GHK tripeptide, a short sequence naturally present in human plasma. In research it is studied for its ability to chelate copper(II) and for its documented effects on the extracellular matrix and gene expression in skin models. Material intended exclusively for research use.

GHK Basic is the free form (without coordinated copper) of the tripeptide GHK, whose sequence is glycine-histidine-lysine (Gly-His-Lys). It is also known by the synonyms Tripeptide-1 and GHK, and has CAS number 49557-75-7, molecular formula C14H24N6O4, and a molecular weight of 340.38 g/mol. It is classified within the cosmetic and dermatological research category. Unlike the GHK-Cu complex (where the peptide is already complexed with a copper(II) ion), this "basic" variant corresponds to the peptide in its free state, capable of taking up copper from the medium in which it is found. It is a small, water-soluble, and chemically well-characterized molecule, which distinguishes it from many experimental peptides of uncertain identity.

GHK was originally described by Loren Pickart, who isolated it as a fragment naturally present in human plasma and observed that its plasma concentration tends to decrease with age. This finding is general knowledge in the literature on copper peptides and explains the continued interest in the tripeptide in models of tissue aging. Structurally, the central histidine is the key residue: its imidazole ring, together with the terminal amino group of glycine, forms the coordination site that allows it to chelate copper(II) ions with high affinity. Precisely because of this chelating capacity, free GHK and the GHK-Cu complex are frequently studied as a single system in different states of metal saturation.

The proposed mechanism of action for GHK operates at several levels. As a transporter and regulator of copper, the tripeptide can modulate the local availability of this metal, a cofactor of enzymes relevant to extracellular matrix turnover, such as lysyl oxidase and copper-zinc-dependent superoxide dismutase. In fibroblast cultures and skin models, its influence on the synthesis of collagen, elastin, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans has been explored, as well as on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP), which together is interpreted as a connective tissue remodeling effect. A second, more recent line of research is based on gene expression studies: transcriptomic analyses in cell lines have described that exposure to GHK modifies the expression pattern of a wide number of genes, with reports of both up- and down-modulation, including genes associated with tissue repair, antioxidant response, and inflammatory processes. These data are treated as system-level findings and should not be interpreted as proven clinical effects.

Among the documented research applications, Basic GHK is used mainly in three contexts. First, in cosmetic and skin biology studies, where it serves as a reference agent to evaluate firmness, matrix density, and remodeling markers in reconstructed skin models, explants, or fibroblast cultures. Second, in research on wound healing and tissue repair, where wound models have been examined to characterize cell migration, angiogenesis, and matrix deposition. Third, as a biochemical tool for the study of copper homeostasis, taking advantage of its defined affinity for the metal. It is also used as a free precursor in laboratory formulations where controlling the degree of complexation with copper is of interest, since its basic form allows the peptide:metal ratio to be adjusted experimentally.

As for the level of evidence, it is fitting to be precise and honest. GHK and the GHK-Cu complex have a considerably broader and better-characterized base of preclinical literature than many experimental peptides: there are reproducible studies in vitro and in animal models on the extracellular matrix, wound healing, and gene modulation, in addition to widespread use as an ingredient in cosmetics. Nevertheless, most of the underlying effects come from in vitro and model work, and much of the mechanistic body of work is historically tied to a specific research group. Evidence of efficacy through high-quality controlled clinical trials is limited, and this material is positioned as a research reagent, not as a therapeutic product. Any interpretation of its effects must be confined to the laboratory context.

From the standpoint of experimental handling, Basic GHK is usually supplied as a lyophilized powder. It is soluble in water and in aqueous solutions; its ability to chelate copper means that, in the presence of copper salts in the medium, it will tend to form the corresponding complex, something researchers must consider when designing their buffers and controls. The molecule is susceptible to degradation by heat and by repeated cycles of reconstitution, so aliquoting after dissolution is recommended. In summary, Basic GHK is a short, chemically well-defined tripeptide, with a solid research history in skin and copper biology, whose use in this catalog is framed strictly within research applications.