Melanotan II 10mg Description

Melanotan II (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), the naturally occurring hormone that regulates skin pigmentation. It was developed at the University of Arizona by structurally modifying native α-MSH — replacing oxidation-prone L-methionine with L-norleucine, substituting L-phenylalanine with D-phenylalanine, and locking the sequence into its bioactive conformation via a lactam bridge between lysine and aspartic acid. These modifications give MT-2 exceptional metabolic stability and superpotent receptor activity compared with the parent hormone.

Unlike the more selective Melanotan I, Melanotan II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, binding MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. Through MC1R on melanocytes it activates the cAMP/PKA/CREB/MITF pathway, upregulating tyrosinase and related enzymes to drive melanin synthesis (melanogenesis). Through central MC3R/MC4R activation in the hypothalamus it additionally influences energy balance, appetite signaling, and sexual-function pathways — the basis for its broader research profile beyond pigmentation.

Melanotan II is one of the most widely used reference compounds in melanocortin receptor pharmacology, with a research record spanning melanogenesis, photoprotection signaling, neuroendocrine pathways, and energy metabolism. It is studied here strictly as a research peptide.

Peptide Information

Lyophilized Peptides:

These peptides are freeze-dried, a process that not only extends shelf life but also preserves the purity and integrity of the peptides during storage. We do not use any fillers in this process. Melanotan II should be stored refrigerated and protected from light; keep reconstituted solution refrigerated.

Sealed Vial: 10mg of Lyophilized Powder in 3ml Vial

CAS No.: 121062-08-6

Other Names: MT-2, MT-II, Melanotan-2

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Disclaimer: For Research Purposes Only
This content is provided strictly for research purposes and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for the non-laboratory application or improper handling of peptides designed for research. The information, including discussions about specific peptides and their researched benefits, is presented for informational purposes only and must not be construed as health, clinical, or legal guidance, nor an encouragement for non-research use. Peptides described here are solely for use in structured scientific study by authorized individuals. We advise consulting with research experts, medical practitioners, or legal counsel prior to any decisions about obtaining or utilizing these peptides. The expectation of responsible, ethical utilization of this information for legitimate investigative and scholarly objectives is paramount. This notice is dynamic and governs all provided content on research peptides.

Melanotan II Research

The following sections explore the diverse applications and mechanisms of Melanotan II across multiple research domains. As a superpotent, non-selective α-MSH analog, MT-2 has served as a foundational tool compound in melanocortin receptor pharmacology since its development.

This overview synthesizes key findings on its melanocortin receptor mechanism and experimental applications in melanogenesis, neuroendocrine signaling, and early clinical pharmacology.

Melanocortin Receptor Mechanism

Melanotan II was designed as a stabilized cyclic lactam analog of α-MSH with superpotent, prolonged melanotropic activity. The foundational design work characterized how the lactam-bridged cyclic structure confers metabolic stability and high-affinity, broad melanocortin receptor agonism, establishing MT-2 as a key pharmacological tool for studying the melanocortin system¹.

Melanogenesis and Early Clinical Pharmacology

The pivotal early-phase research evaluated MT-2 as a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study, documenting its melanogenic activity and dose-related tolerability profile in human subjects — the dataset that established its pigmentation pharmacology and characteristic side-effect signature².

Neuroendocrine and Sexual-Function Signaling

Because MT-2 activates central MC3R/MC4R receptors, it has been extensively studied in neuroendocrine and sexual-function research. Human studies of melanocortin receptor agonists reported that MT-2 initiates erectile responses through central melanocortin pathways independent of direct vascular mechanisms — work that defined the melanocortin system as a distinct target in sexual-function research and informed the later development of selective agonists³.

Developmental and Photoprotection Research

MT-2 emerged from a structured drug-discovery program aimed at developing melanogenic agents for photoprotection. Reviews of the Melanotan-I and -II development program describe the rationale, structure-activity work, and the pigmentation/photoprotection research that motivated the class⁴.

Research Considerations

The clinical literature consistently documents dose-related effects including nausea, facial flushing, spontaneous penile erection, and somnolence/fatigue at higher doses, alongside the well-characterized darkening of pigmented lesions — making careful dose control and lesion monitoring standard features of study design. As a non-selective melanocortin agonist, study protocols routinely account for its broad receptor activity. These considerations are routinely accounted for within controlled study protocols.

References

1. Al-Obeidi, F., Castrucci, A. M., Hadley, M. E., & Hruby, V. J. (1989). Potent and prolonged-acting cyclic lactam analogues of α-melanotropin: design based on molecular dynamics. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 32(12), 2555–2561. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm00132a010
2. Dorr, R. T., Lines, R., Levine, N., Brooks, C., Xiang, L., Hruby, V. J., & Hadley, M. E. (1996). Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Life Sciences, 58(20), 1777–1784. https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(96)00160-9
3. Wessells, H., Levine, N., Hadley, M. E., Dorr, R., & Hruby, V. (2000). Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II. International Journal of Impotence Research, 12(Suppl 4), S74–S79. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900582
4. Hadley, M. E., Hruby, V. J., Blanchard, J., Dorr, R. T., Levine, N., Dawson, B. V., et al. (1998). Discovery and development of novel melanogenic drugs: Melanotan-I and -II. Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 11, 575–595. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-306-47384-4_25