Melanotan 1 – 10mg

Description

Melanotan I, also known as afamelanotide, is a synthetic analogue of the endogenous peptide α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It belongs to the melanocortin peptide family and was originally developed to improve the stability and biological activity of native α-MSH while maintaining selective activation of melanocortin receptors involved in skin pigmentation. Compared with endogenous α-MSH, Melanotan I exhibits greater resistance to enzymatic degradation, making it suitable for experimental and pharmacological investigation.

The primary mechanism of Melanotan I involves activation of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a G protein-coupled receptor expressed predominantly on melanocytes. Activation of MC1R stimulates cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent signaling pathways that increase melanogenesis through enhanced expression and activity of enzymes involved in melanin synthesis, including tyrosinase. Increased production of eumelanin has been investigated as a mechanism for enhancing endogenous photoprotection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Beyond pigmentation, melanocortin signaling participates in numerous physiological processes, including immune regulation, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and cellular homeostasis. Although Melanotan I demonstrates substantially greater selectivity for MC1R than several other melanocortin receptors, ongoing research continues to investigate its broader biological effects. Compared with Melanotan II, Melanotan I exhibits considerably lower activity at melanocortin receptors associated with central nervous system functions, contributing to its distinct pharmacological profile. Melanotan I has been investigated in dermatological research, particularly for disorders involving impaired pigmentation and photosensitivity.

Product Specifications

• Compound / Peptide Name: Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)
• Classification: Synthetic melanocortin peptide; α-MSH analogue
• Sequence: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂
• Molecular Formula: C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉
• Molecular Weight: Not consistently reported in the provided information
• CAS Number: 75921-69-6
• PubChem CID: 16164658
• ChemSpider ID: 17310725
• ChEMBL ID: CHEMBL441738
• Form: Liquid peptide (as provided)
• Appearance: Not consistently reported
• Solubility: Research-dependent
• Regulatory Status: Research compound; pharmaceutical Afamelanotide is approved in certain jurisdictions for specific indications, while regulatory status varies depending on formulation and region.

What Is It Used For and Its Purpose 

Melanotan I is primarily investigated as a research peptide for understanding melanocortin receptor biology, regulation of melanogenesis, and mechanisms underlying endogenous photoprotection. Its relatively selective activation of MC1R has made it an important experimental tool for studying pigmentation pathways and skin physiology.

Research has focused extensively on the peptide’s ability to stimulate eumelanin synthesis and investigate how enhanced pigmentation may influence cellular responses to ultraviolet radiation. Additional studies have explored its role in disorders characterized by impaired pigmentation, abnormal photosensitivity, and melanocyte dysfunction.

Beyond dermatological research, Melanotan I has been evaluated for its potential influence on inflammatory signaling, melanocortin-mediated immune regulation, and other physiological processes associated with melanocortin receptor activation.

Research Applications

• Dermatology research
• Skin pigmentation biology
• Melanogenesis
• Melanocortin receptor signaling
• Photobiology
• Ultraviolet radiation research
• Pigmentary disorder research
• Cellular stress biology
• Immunology
• Inflammation research
• Translational dermatological research

Potential Scientific Benefits 

Extensive research has demonstrated that Melanotan I stimulates melanin production through selective activation of MC1R on melanocytes. Increased intracellular cAMP signaling promotes expression of melanogenic enzymes, resulting in increased synthesis of eumelanin, the pigment primarily associated with photoprotection. This mechanism is among the best-characterized biological actions of the peptide.

Clinical investigations have evaluated afamelanotide in disorders involving abnormal photosensitivity and impaired pigmentation. Evidence from these studies indicates increased pigmentation and improved tolerance to ultraviolet exposure in selected patient populations. Preclinical studies have also investigated melanocortin signaling in inflammatory regulation and oxidative stress responses. Activation of melanocortin pathways has been associated with modulation of inflammatory mediators and cellular protective mechanisms, although the precise contribution of Melanotan I to these effects remains incompletely characterized and continues to be investigated.

Research exploring potential effects on appetite regulation, sexual physiology, and mood has produced more limited findings. While melanocortin receptors participate in central nervous system pathways regulating these functions, Melanotan I demonstrates greater selectivity for MC1R than receptors such as MC4R.

Observed biological activities in research

• Increased eumelanin synthesis
• Activation of melanocyte pigmentation pathways
• Enhanced pigmentation in experimental and clinical studies
• Modulation of melanocortin signaling
• Investigation of cellular responses to ultraviolet exposure
• Evaluation in pigmentary disorder models

Reported molecular mechanisms

• Selective activation of MC1R
• Increased intracellular cAMP signaling
• Upregulation of melanogenic enzyme activity
• Regulation of melanocyte function
• Modulation of melanocortin signaling pathways

Physiological pathways involved

• Melanogenesis
• Melanocortin receptor signaling
• Skin pigmentation biology
• Ultraviolet response pathways
• Cellular stress response
• Immune and inflammatory signaling

Experimental outcomes in research models

• Increased melanin production
• Enhanced pigmentation following peptide administration
• Improved photoprotection associated with increased eumelanin production
• Investigation of repigmentation in selected pigmentary disorders
• Evaluation of inflammatory and cellular stress responses

Current evidence remains limited, and further well-controlled clinical studies are required to establish long-term efficacy and safety in humans.

Research Data Sheet

• Compound / Peptide Name: Melanotan I (Afamelanotide)
• Sequence: Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH₂
• Classification: Synthetic α-MSH analogue; melanocortin peptide
• Molecular Formula: C₇₈H₁₁₁N₂₁O₁₉
• Molecular Weight: Not available
• CAS Number: 75921-69-6
• PubChem CID: 16164658
• ChemSpider ID: 17310725
• ChEMBL ID: CHEMBL441738
• Form: Liquid peptide
• Solubility: Research-dependent
• Research Categories: Dermatology; Melanogenesis; Photobiology; Pigmentary Disorders; Melanocortin Receptor Signaling; Inflammation Research

Safety Precautions 

Melanotan I should be handled as a laboratory research material by qualified personnel using established laboratory safety procedures. Although pharmaceutical formulations of afamelanotide have undergone clinical evaluation for specific approved indications, safety information for research formulations, dosing protocols, and non-approved applications remains limited. Appropriate laboratory practices should be followed throughout handling, storage, documentation, and disposal.

• Research use only
• Not for human consumption
• Not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent disease
• Wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, laboratory coat, and eye protection
• Use aseptic handling techniques where appropriate
• Store according to manufacturer recommendations
• Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles
• Maintain proper labeling and laboratory documentation
• Dispose of materials in accordance with institutional and regulatory requirements
• Human safety data remain limited for research formulations
• Long-term biological effects have not been fully characterized

Conclusion 

Melanotan I is a well-characterized synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that serves as an important research tool for investigating melanocortin receptor biology, melanogenesis, and photoprotection. Its preferential activation of MC1R distinguishes it from other melanocortin analogues and underlies its extensive investigation in pigmentation research.

The strongest body of scientific evidence supports its ability to stimulate eumelanin production through activation of melanocyte signaling pathways. This biological activity has contributed to research involving pigmentary disorders, ultraviolet response mechanisms, and skin physiology, while additional investigations continue to explore its influence on inflammatory and cellular regulatory processes.

Although clinical evidence exists for specific dermatological applications of pharmaceutical afamelanotide, many proposed biological effects beyond pigmentation remain under active investigation. Melanotan I continues to be of considerable interest in dermatological, molecular, and translational biomedical research, particularly for studies examining melanocortin signaling, skin pigmentation, and endogenous photoprotective mechanisms.