GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II) complex) is an endogenous tripeptide-metal complex present in human plasma, saliva, and urine. First characterized in the 1970s, it has since accumulated five decades of preclinical evidence positioning it as one of the most potent naturally occurring modulators of tissue repair gene expression.

Genomic studies have revealed that GHK-Cu influences the transcription of over 4,000 genes — activating pathways associated with collagen I/III synthesis, glycosaminoglycan production, and antioxidant defense while simultaneously suppressing pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene networks. The copper(II) ion at its core, held in a square planar coordination geometry, is considered essential to its biological signaling activity.

In dermatological research, GHK-Cu has demonstrated the ability to recruit fibroblasts and immune cells to wound sites, stimulate angiogenesis, and accelerate the production of structural matrix proteins. ROEHN supplies GHK-Cu at 99% HPLC-verified purity in injectable and topical-compatible formats, supporting research across skin biology, wound healing, and regenerative medicine applications.