GHK is a three amino acid peptide (glycine, histidine, lysine) that occurs naturally in human plasma, saliva and urine. It binds copper readily, and the copper complex is known as GHK-Cu or copper tripeptide-1. It was first identified by Loren Pickart in 1973.
Research on GHK-Cu has mostly been in fibroblast cell cultures and animal wound models, and it is also widely used as a cosmetic ingredient. The powder is blue to purple because of the copper.
Technical details
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys, as the copper(II) complex |
|---|---|
| Formula | C14H22CuN6O4 |
| Molecular weight | 401.9 g/mol |
| CAS | 89030-95-5 |
| PubChem CID | 71587328 |
| Form | Freeze-dried powder, 50 mg per vial |
| Research to date | Cell and animal studies, plus small topical studies in cosmetic research |
Lab certificate
Tested by Freedom Diagnostics: identity confirmed by LC-MS, purity 99.76% by HPLC (accession 2609080738, reported 9 September 2026).
Storage
Store the sealed vial in a freezer at around -20 °C, away from light and moisture.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
