Pal-GHK (topical) (200mg)

Pal-GHK Peptide (topical)

Palmitoyl-GHK, also known as palmitoyl-tripeptide-1, is a synthetic hybrid molecule consisting of a chain of three amino acids attached to a palmitic acid molecule. The GHK sequence, which consists of the amino acids Gly-His-Lys, is found naturally in the plasma of most species and was discovered in 1973 by Pickart et al.⁽¹⁾ The addition of palmitoyl to the molecule is thought to result in better penetration through skin cells and, more specifically, stratum corneum.⁽²⁾

Palmitoyl-GHK may have the potential to stimulate collagen production, which is a key component of the extracellular matrix in the skin. That's based on the fact that the Gly-His-Lys sequence is a fragment of collagen. Gly-His-Lys is released during collagen hydrolysis, which occurs during wound healing and inflammation processes. Therefore, the tripeptide is believed to act as a natural feedback signal to fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix. The role of collagen is to provide structure and support to the skin, making it appear firm and smooth. 

Palmitoyl-GHK may also have antioxidant properties against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that may damage cell structures and are considered to contribute to the aging process. By potentially neutralizing free radicals, Palmitoyl-GHK may reduce cellular aging and inflammation.

Pal-GHK Chemical Makeup

Molecular formula: C₃₀H₅₄N₆O₅
Molecular weight: 578.8 g/mol
Other Known Titles: Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl oligopeptide

Research and Clinical Studies

Pal-GHK and Collagen Synthesis

Research by Maquart et al. dating back to 1988 and published in the journal FEBS Letters suggests that the Gly-His-Lys in Pal-GHK is a fragment produced during the hydrolysis of collagen.⁽³⁾ Such fragments are produced when collagen is damaged, and they may signal fibroblasts to initiate new collagen synthesis. Pal-GHK may have a similar potential to stimulate collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans, important components of the skin's extracellular matrix. The researchers concluded that "The presence of a GHK triplet in the alpha 2(I) chain of type I collagen suggests that the tripeptide might be liberated by proteases at the site of a wound and exert in situ healing effects."

A placebo-controlled clinical study suggests that Pal-GHK may stimulate collagen synthesis by assessing its action on skin thickness. The trial involved twenty-three subjects, and the researchers commented that there was a small but statistically significant apparent increase in skin thickness of about 4% compared to the placebo.⁽⁵⁾

Pal-GHK and Wrinkles

A clinical study was conducted to ascertain the peptide’s potential for wrinkle reduction. The trial involved a cream containing Pal-GHK,⁽⁶⁾ and included fifteen subjects. The scientists reported an apparent reduction in wrinkle length, depth, and skin roughness following the trial period.  

Another clinical experiment involved a combination of Pal-GHK tripeptide and another palmitoylated peptide called Pal-GQPR.⁽⁷⁾ Pal-GQPR is a tetrapeptide with the sequence of Pal-Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg, and it is a fragment of immunoglobulin G (IgG) which is considered to play an important role in reducing the amount of interleukin 6 (IL6) production. The design was a blind, randomized clinical study that included twenty-eight subjects. There was an apparent reduction of wrinkle depth, volume, density, skin roughness, and the area occupied by deep wrinkles.

Pal-GHK and Anti-Oxidation

A 2018 laboratory experiment by Sakuma et al. suggested that the amino-acid sequence of Pal-GHK may have antioxidative potential.⁽⁸⁾ The researchers also reported that this potential was apparently more powerful than other well-known antioxidative peptides commonly used in research, such as carnosine and reduced glutathione. More specifically, the researchers shared that "Experiments utilizing an ESR spin-trapping technique revealed that, among hydroxyl (·OH), superoxide (O2-·), and peroxyl (ROO·) radicals generated by respective chemical reaction systems, GHK diminished signals of both ·OH and ROO·."

Active radicals appear to be some of the mediators of photodamage. Examples of such active radicals include reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and reactive carbonyl species (RCS), which are considered to cause harm to lipids, DNA, and proteins. Studies have suggested that the amino acid sequence found in Pal-GHK may potentially prevent protein glycation and may possess anti-RCS properties against various radicals like acrolein, malondialdehyde, and 4-hydroxynoneal.⁽⁹⁾ 

Additionally, Pal-GHK has been suggested to have the potential to reduce the release of iron from ferritin, which catalyzes lipid peroxidation. One study shared results of an 87% decrease in the iron release from damaged tissue using Pal-GHK, which reduced oxidation in the affected tissues.⁽¹⁰⁾

Pal-GHK may also have the potential to reduce the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines while simultaneously increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. In an animal trial, Pal-GHK was found to suppress the activation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways, both of which are associated with inflammation.⁽¹¹⁾ This could lead to reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lungs of mice with lung damage and lower levels of TNF-1 and IL-6 production.

Moreover, researchers posit that Pal-GHK may potentially alleviate the oxidative stress resulting from smoke inhalation. Research has proposed that the amino-acid sequence of Pal-GHK might impede oxidative stress in alveolar epithelial cells by increasing Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) expression and reducing the levels of reactive oxygen species in cell cultures.⁽¹²⁾ Nrf2 is a protein that may regulate the expression of antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation.

Pal-GHK peptide is available for research and laboratory purposes only. Please review and adhere to our Terms and Conditions before ordering.

References:

1. Pickart, L., & Thaler, M. M. (1973). Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nature: New biology, 243(124), 85–87.
2. Gorouhi, F., & Maibach, H. I. (2009). Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. International journal of cosmetic science, 31(5), 327-345.
3. Maquart, F. X., Pickart, L., Laurent, M., Gillery, P., Monboisse, J. C., & Borel, J. P. (1988). Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS letters, 238(2), 343–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x
4. Trookman, N. S., Rizer, R. L., Ford, R., Mehta, R., & Gotz, V. (2009). Clinical assessment of a combination lip treatment to restore moisturization and fullness. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2(12), 44–48.
5. Lintner, K., & Peschard, O. (2000). Biologically active peptides: from a laboratory bench curiosity to a functional skin care product. International journal of cosmetic science, 22(3), 207–218. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1467-2494.2000.00010.x
6. Schagen, S. K. (2017). Topical peptide treatments with effective anti-aging results. Cosmetics, 4(2), 16.
7. Fournial, A., & Mondon, P. New Cosmetic or Dermopharmaceutical Topical Use of a Mixture of a Ghk Tripeptide and Gqpr Tetrapeptide.
8. Sakuma, S., Ishimura, M., Yuba, Y., Itoh, Y., & Fujimoto, Y. (2018). The peptide glycyl-ʟ-histidyl-ʟ-lysine is an endogenous antioxidant in living organisms, possibly by diminishing hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 10(3), 132–138.
9. Cebrián, J., Messeguer, A., Facino, R. M., & García Antón, J. M. (2005). New anti-RNS and -RCS products for cosmetic treatment. International journal of cosmetic science, 27(5), 271–278. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00279.x
10. Park, J. R., Lee, H., Kim, S. I., & Yang, S. R. (2016). The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. Oncotarget, 7(36), 58405–58417. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.11168
11. Sakuma, S., Ishimura, M., Yuba, Y., Itoh, Y., & Fujimoto, Y. (2018). The peptide glycyl-ʟ-histidyl-ʟ-lysine is an endogenous antioxidant in living organisms, possibly by diminishing hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals. International journal of physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology, 10(3), 132–138.
12. Zhang, Q., Yan, L., Lu, J., & Zhou, X. (2022). Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ attenuates cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema and inflammation by reducing oxidative stress pathway. Frontiers in molecular biosciences, 9, 925700. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2022.925700