KPV
Also known as: Lys-Pro-Val, α-MSH (11-13), C-terminal MSH tripeptide
KPV (also called Lys-Pro-Val or α-MSH (11-13)) is an anti-inflammatory MSH fragment in the Wound Healing / Cytoprotective class. KPV is Lys-Pro-Val, the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone while lacking the sequence needed for meaningful MC1R-driven melanogenesis, which is why it does not cause pigmentation.
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 67727-97-3
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 342.44 g/mol
- Half-life
- Short; topical and research injectable use
- FDA status
- Not Approved
- Evidence level
- Insufficient Evidence
- Human dose established
- No
- Administration Route
- Not established in humans
- Frequency
- Not established in humans
- Last updated
- Sep 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- NF-κB pathwayMC1R (weak)
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor counts once, at the median price per mg of its own listings; the typical range is the middle half of vendors. From public vendor listings collected between Dec 2025 and Oct 2026, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 46
- Listed offers
- 105
- Median price per mg
- $5.16/mg
- Typical $4.40–$7.02/mg
Research summary
C-terminal α-MSH tripeptide with anti-inflammatory activity in gut and skin models without strong melanotropic tanning. Not FDA-approved.
Peptide Library's KPV 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.
KPV dosage: no established human dose
KPV has no established human dosage. No interventional human trial of KPV is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and none is indexed in PubMed as a human clinical trial. The published work is preclinical, and much of it delivers KPV inside an engineered hydrogel or nanoparticle rather than as a free peptide, so even the animal dosing does not transfer to an injected or oral product.
No established human dosage.
Human clinical evidence: None identified.
Preclinical research: KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH and has roughly 39 indexed publications, mostly rodent models of colitis, mucositis and inflammation. A recurring feature of that work is that KPV is formulated into a hydrogel or nanocarrier to protect it from degradation and hold it at the target tissue; the reported effects depend on that delivery system. There is no human dose, no human route and no human dosing interval, and animal dosing is not converted into a human equivalent here.
Animal dosing is not converted into a human dose anywhere on this page. Where research figures appear below, they are reported as studied, not recommended.
| Human dosing established | No |
|---|---|
| Route | Not established in humans |
| Evidence level | Insufficient Evidence |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-05 |
Preclinical and analog research
Not human dosing evidence. Listed for completeness and never extrapolated to a human dose.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical — KPV-binding hydrogel in inflamed colonPreclinical · Preclinical | Rodent colitis model | Delivered from a double-network hydrogel; not a free-peptide dose | Local, gastrointestinal | — | — | Restoration of the gut mucosal barrier | A KPV-binding double-network hydrogel restores gut mucosal barrier in an inflamed colon. Acta Biomater. 2022. |
| Preclinical — TNBS-induced ulcerative colitisPreclinical · Preclinical | Rats | Delivered from a self-cross-linked hydrogel; not a free-peptide dose | Local, gastrointestinal | — | — | Alleviation of ulcerative colitis | Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. 2021. |
| Preclinical — chemotherapy-induced oral mucositisPreclinical · Preclinical | Animal model | Delivered from a mucoadhesive hydrogel; not a free-peptide dose | Topical, oral mucosa | — | — | Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and repair effects | In situ mucoadhesive hydrogel capturing tripeptide KPV: the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and repairing effect on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Biomater Sci. 2021. |
Where sources disagree
- KPV is widely sold and discussed with oral and subcutaneous protocols, commonly around 250–500 mcg daily. No human trial has reported any KPV dose, and no primary source for those figures could be identified.
- Most preclinical efficacy for KPV comes from hydrogel or nanoparticle formulations delivered locally to inflamed tissue. Those results do not carry over to a reconstituted free peptide given by injection, which is how KPV is generally supplied.
Reconstitution
Common research vial sizes: 5 mg, 10 mg.
| Vial | Bacteriostatic water | Concentration | Per 0.01 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg per 0.01 mL |
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg per 0.01 mL |
These figures are arithmetic only — they convert a vial and a volume into a concentration. They are not a recommendation to take any dose.
Calculate reconstitution & dose →Handling & administration
- Injection Sites
- Subcutaneous near affected areaAbdomen
- Timing Notes
- Use for acute flares; space 15–30 minutes from other injections.
Sequence & molecular data
| Amino acid sequence | Lys-Pro-Val (KPV) |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C16H30N4O4 |
| Molecular weight | 342.44 g/mol |
| CAS number | 67727-97-3 |
| Half-life | Short; topical and research injectable use |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Formulation | Lyophilized Powder |
| PubChem CID | 13294447 |
| DrugBank | DB08050 |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
KPV is Lys-Pro-Val, the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone while lacking the sequence needed for meaningful MC1R-driven melanogenesis, which is why it does not cause pigmentation. Its principal reported action is inhibition of NF-kB signalling: it interferes with nuclear translocation of NF-kB in epithelial and immune cells, reducing transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha. It is taken up by the peptide transporters PepT1 and PepT2, which are upregulated in inflamed intestinal epithelium, and this has been used to argue for preferential delivery to inflamed tissue. Evidence is preclinical.
Origin
α-MSH residues 11–13.
Targets
Studies
- A KPV-binding double-network hydrogel restores gut mucosal barrier in an inflamed colon
- Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats
- Peptide Receptor-Targeted Fluorescent Probe: Visualization and Discrimination between Chronic and Acute Ulcerative Colitis
- Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of the anti-inflammatory PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV in a murine model
- Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model
Regulatory & research status
KPV is not an FDA-approved product. It is sold for laboratory research and has no approved medical use.
| FDA status | Not Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Research-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Unknown / Not Listed |
| Library classification | Research-Only |
Benefits
KPV side effects
KPV has no controlled human safety data. The effects below are reported, not established, and absence from the list is not evidence of safety.
Side Effects
- Mild irritation
- Limited human data
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.
KPV: frequently asked questions
What is KPV?
C-terminal α-MSH tripeptide with anti-inflammatory activity in gut and skin models without strong melanotropic tanning. Not FDA-approved. KPV is Lys-Pro-Val, the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone while lacking the sequence needed for meaningful MC1R-driven melanogenesis, which is why it does not cause pigmentation. Its principal reported action is inhibition of NF-kB signalling: it interferes with nuclear translocation of NF-kB in epithelial and immune cells, reducing transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha.
What are the side effects of KPV?
KPV has no controlled human safety data, so its side-effect profile is not well established. Effects recorded on this profile include mild irritation. This is reference information, not medical advice.
How does KPV work?
KPV is Lys-Pro-Val, the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone while lacking the sequence needed for meaningful MC1R-driven melanogenesis, which is why it does not cause pigmentation.
Is KPV FDA approved?
No. KPV is not approved by the FDA for any indication and is categorised as research-only. It has not been reviewed for safety or efficacy as a medicine, and published research should be read as investigation rather than established use.
What is the half-life of KPV?
Reported half-life for KPV is Short; topical and research injectable use. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
What is the amino acid sequence of KPV?
KPV has the sequence Lys-Pro-Val (KPV), giving a chain of 3 amino acids. Its molecular formula is C16H30N4O4.
What peptides are similar to KPV?
Compounds most often compared with KPV include BPC-157, TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4 fragment), Pentadeca Arginate and Thymosin β4 (Tβ4). They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
Where is KPV administered in research protocols?
Research protocols on this profile use subcutaneous administration, with recorded sites including subcutaneous near affected area, abdomen. Site rotation and sterile technique are standard practice in the research literature; this describes protocol conditions and is not guidance for use.
Does KPV cause tanning?
No pigmentation effect is expected. KPV is the last three residues (Lys-Pro-Val) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and it lacks the melanocortin-receptor activity that drives tanning in the parent hormone. That is why it was separated out: to keep the anti-inflammatory association without the pigmentation. Melanotan II went the other way, keeping the pigmentation activity.
Is oral KPV the same as injected KPV?
No, and the two should not share a dose figure. Much KPV research uses oral or topical delivery because the target is local inflammation, in colitis and wound-healing models. Injection is a different route with different bioavailability and a different intended site of action, so findings from oral gut research do not transfer to an injection.
Is KPV in the KLOW blend?
Yes. KPV is the component that distinguishes KLOW from GLOW: both blends combine GHK-Cu, BPC-157 and TB-500, and KLOW adds KPV. Neither blend has been studied as a combination in humans.
References
- A KPV-binding double-network hydrogel restores gut mucosal barrier in an inflamed colon — Acta Biomater, 2022External reference
- Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats — ACS Biomater Sci Eng, 2021External reference
- Peptide Receptor-Targeted Fluorescent Probe: Visualization and Discrimination between Chronic and Acute Ulcerative Colitis — ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2017External reference
- Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of the anti-inflammatory PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV in a murine model — Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2016External reference
- Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model — Gastroenterology, 2010External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
- KLOW vs GLOW: What Adding KPV Changes, and What It Does Not
- Larazotide: The Tight Junction Peptide That Reached Phase 3
- LL-37: The Body’s Own Antimicrobial Peptide
- Oral Peptides: Why Most of Them Do Not Survive the Journey
- Peptides for Gut Health: Where Local Action Actually Makes Sense
- KLOW Peptide Dosage: What the Blend Contains and How It Is Measured
- BPC-157 Capsules: Does Oral BPC-157 Survive Digestion?
- KLOW Peptide Blend: GLOW Plus KPV, and What That Addition Changes
- BPC-157
- Muscle and recovery peptidesCategory
- Peptide stacks: combinations by research goalStacks
- Peptide dosage chart: dose, route and frequencyCategory
- Peptide calculator with the KPV preset
- How to store peptides before and after reconstitution
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Sep 26, 2026 · Version 7
This KPV 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
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