GHK Basic (without copper)

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GHK Basic (without copper)
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Product Overview

GHK Basic Peptide Overview

GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a naturally occurring tripeptide found in plasma, saliva, and urine, with levels declining with age.[1,2] Beyond copper binding, copper-free GHK shows direct biological activity relevant to skin regeneration, stem cell activation, tissue repair, and cytoprotection.[3,1,2]

Skin & Stem Cell Effects

  • Increases proliferation and stemness of epidermal basal cells; induces cuboidal morphology, ↑ integrins (α6, β1), and ↑ p63/PCNA+ cells in human keratinocyte models and skin equivalents.[3]
  • Effects mirror copper-GHK, supporting utility of GHK alone for skin and hair applications.[3]

Tissue Repair & Wound Healing

  • Stimulates collagen/GAG synthesis and remodeling; modulates MMPs/TIMPs; ↑ decorin and small proteoglycans.[1,2,4]
  • Attracts immune/endothelial cells; accelerates repair in skin, follicles, GI tract, bone; restores replicative vitality of fibroblasts post-radiation.[1,2,4,5]
  • Upregulates genes for angiogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and tissue remodeling; can reset diseased-cell gene programs toward healthier states.[2,5]

Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant Actions

  • Suppresses free radicals, thromboxane, and pro-inflammatory cytokines; ↑ superoxide dismutase and vasodilation.[4,5,6]
  • Inhibits TGF-β1/Smad-driven EMT to reduce fibrosis in pulmonary models.[6]
  • Protects against Cu/Zn-induced protein aggregation and CNS cell death in vitro (neuroprotective relevance).[7]

Neuroprotective & Systemic Effects

  • Reduces neuronal apoptosis and edema after intracerebral hemorrhage via miR-339-5p/VEGFA pathway; improves neurological scores in animals.[8]
  • Exhibits antioxidant/antiglycant properties with implications for neurodegeneration.[9]

Gene Modulation & Cellular Reprogramming

  • Broad up/down-regulation of thousands of human genes, including DNA repair, proteasome activity, antioxidant defenses, and TGF-β family healing pathways.[2,5]
  • Resets gene expression in cancer and COPD cells; suppresses fibrinogen; activates cell-cleansing programs.[2,5]

Formulation & Delivery

  • Self-assembling nanoengineered constructs improve proteolytic stability and pro-healing bioactivity.[10]
  • Targeting motifs (e.g., RGD, sOtx2) can enhance cell-surface binding and local concentrations in skin for anti-aging/repair applications.[11]

Clinical & Cosmetic Applications

  • Used in topical products for skin tightening, elasticity, wrinkle reduction, photodamage, and hyperpigmentation; supports follicle health in hair care.[1,4,3]
  • Investigational uses: skin inflammation, COPD, metastatic colon cancer, neurodegeneration.[2,5,12,9,7]

Key Takeaways

  • Copper-independent activity: GHK alone enhances epidermal stemness and skin repair.
  • Systems-level modulation: gene reprogramming across repair, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic axes.
  • Translational versatility: nanoengineering and targeting motifs amplify stability and localization.

References

  1. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. doi:10.1155/2015/648108.[1]
  2. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:151479. doi:10.1155/2014/151479.[2]
  3. Choi HR, Kang YA, Ryoo SJ, et al. J Pept Sci. 2012;18(11):685-690. doi:10.1002/psc.2455.[3]
  4. Pickart L. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19(8):969-988. doi:10.1163/156856208784909435.[4]
  5. Pickart L, Margolina A. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):E1987. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987.[5]
  6. Zhou XM, Wang GL, Wang XB, et al. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:904. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00904.[6]
  7. Min JH, Sarlus H, Harris RA. Metallomics. 2024;16(5):mfae019. doi:10.1093/mtomcs/mfae019.[7]
  8. Zhang H, Wang Y, He Z. Front Neurosci. 2018;12:644. doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00644.[8]
  9. Tosto R, Vecchio G, Bellia F. Molecules. 2023;28(18):6724. doi:10.3390/molecules28186724.[9]
  10. Castro VIB, Araújo AR, Reis RL, et al. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025;17(8):11624-11633. doi:10.1021/acsami.4c18221.[10]
  11. He B, Wang F, Qu L. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1267765. doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1267765.[11]
  12. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:324832. doi:10.1155/2012/324832.[12]

All information provided is for research purposes only.

ALL ARTICLES AND PRODUCT INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. The products offered on this website are furnished for in-vitro studies only. In-vitro studies (Latin: in glass) are performed outside of the body. These products are not medicines or drugs and have not been approved by the FDA to prevent, treat or cure any medical condition, ailment or disease. Bodily introduction of any kind into humans or animals is strictly forbidden by law.