AHK-Cu
Also known as: Copper AHK, Ala-His-Lys copper
AHK-Cu (also called Copper AHK or Ala-His-Lys copper) is a copper tripeptide. AHK-Cu is the copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine, closely related to GHK but with alanine replacing glycine at the first position. Like GHK it binds copper(II) through the histidine imidazole and the terminal amine, and the complex rather than the free peptide is considered the active form.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 682809-81-0
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 451.39 g/mol
- Half-life
- —
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Administration Route
- Topical
- Frequency
- Topical daily in cosmetics
- Last updated
- Aug 30, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- Copper-dependent enzymesDermal papilla (claimed)
Vendor price snapshot
Price per mg is list price divided by vial size in milligrams when both are known from public vendor listings. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Confirm live prices on the vendor site.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 1
- Listed offers
- 1
- Price per mg range
- $0.700/mg
Research summary
Alanine-histidine-lysine copper complex used in hair- and skin-cosmetic research, related to GHK-Cu. Not an FDA-approved drug.
Peptide Library's AHK-Cu profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Protocol
- Dosage Range
- Per cosmetic formulation; injectable research use is unapproved
- Frequency
- Topical daily in cosmetics
- Cycle
- —
- Administration Route
- Topical
- Reconstitution Guide
- —
- Timing Notes
- Educational catalog only — not medical advice
Not yet checked against primary sources
These figures are compiled from earlier reference material. They have not been verified against FDA labelling, registered trials or published literature, no citation is attached to them, and none of them is a recommended dose. AHK-Cu is queued for dosage evidence review.
Compare reported doses across the whole librarySequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C15H24ClCuN6O4- |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 451.39 g/mol |
| CAS number | 682809-81-0 |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 168431292 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
AHK-Cu is the copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine, closely related to GHK but with alanine replacing glycine at the first position. Like GHK it binds copper(II) through the histidine imidazole and the terminal amine, and the complex rather than the free peptide is considered the active form. Reported activity is concentrated in hair-follicle and fibroblast models, where it has been described as increasing vascular endothelial growth factor expression in dermal papilla cells and stimulating extracellular matrix production. The evidence base is smaller than for GHK-Cu and is predominantly in vitro and cosmetic; controlled human trials have not been published.
Origin
Synthetic AHK–Cu(II) complex.
Targets
Studies
- The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro
- Food-Derived Tripeptide-Copper Self-Healing Hydrogel for Infected Wound Healing (class-level evidence)
- Bleomycin pharmacology: mechanism of action and resistance, and clinical pharmacokinetics (class-level evidence)
- Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application (class-level evidence)
- Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes? (class-level evidence)
Regulatory & research status
AHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | OTC / Supplement |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
Benefits
Potential Side Effects
Side Effects
- Irritation
- Copper discoloration
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Cosmetic peptides in this library are formulated into topical products; follow the product label rather than the reconstitution guidance above.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
AHK-Cu: frequently asked questions
What is AHK-Cu?
Alanine-histidine-lysine copper complex used in hair- and skin-cosmetic research, related to GHK-Cu. Not an FDA-approved drug.
How does AHK-Cu work?
AHK-Cu is the copper complex of the tripeptide alanyl-histidyl-lysine, closely related to GHK but with alanine replacing glycine at the first position. Like GHK it binds copper(II) through the histidine imidazole and the terminal amine, and the complex rather than the free peptide is considered the active form.
Is AHK-Cu FDA approved?
No. AHK-Cu is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as otc / supplement. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
Is AHK-Cu banned in sport?
AHK-Cu is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
What peptides are similar to AHK-Cu?
Compounds most often compared with AHK-Cu include GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide), Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Acetyl Octapeptide-3. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
References
- The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro — Arch Pharm Res, 2007External reference
- Class-level evidence — Food-Derived Tripeptide-Copper Self-Healing Hydrogel for Infected Wound Healing — Biomater Res, 2025External reference
- Class-level evidence — Bleomycin pharmacology: mechanism of action and resistance, and clinical pharmacokinetics — Semin Oncol, 1992External reference
- Class-level evidence — Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application — Pharmaceutics, 2023External reference
- Class-level evidence — Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes? — Molecules, 2025External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
Related peptides
Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Aug 30, 2026 · Version 2
This AHK-Cu profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
Track AHK-Cu research, inventory and reconstitution in the free Peptide Library app. Get the app for iOS or Android →