What is AHK-Cu? (Copper Tripeptide-3)
This product is not intended for weight loss, human consumption, or veterinary use. It is sold for research purposes only. Please handle with care and follow all safety guidelines for the specific chemicals involved.
AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys copper complex), also known as Copper Tripeptide-3, is a synthetic copper-binding research peptide composed of alanine, histidine, and lysine coordinated to a divalent copper ion (Cu2+). Available in 100mg lyophilized vials, ahk cu 100mg is studied in preclinical research for hair follicle biology, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair mechanisms. NuScience Peptides supplies AHK-Cu 100mg for qualified research use only.
AHK-containing peptides (tripeptides such as Ala–His–Lys, and related sequences like Asp–Ala–His–Lys or Gly–His–Lys) have been used in multiple rat models to probe tissue protection, wound healing, metabolic effects, and neuroprotection. In experimental rodents these short peptides are attractive because they are small (good tissue diffusion), often bind metal ions (modifying redox or growth-factor signaling), and can modulate inflammation, apoptosis, and repair pathways. For example, the tetrapeptide DAHK (L-Asp-Ala-His-Lys), a fragment of human serum albumin, produced robust neuroprotection in a rat permanent middle-cerebral-artery-occlusion model: a single i.v. dose (16 mg/kg, 30 minutes after occlusion) reduced infarct area and markedly improved neurological scores compared with saline controls. (PubMed)
AHK-Cu Research Applications
Related AHK-containing constructs have been tested for metabolic and antioxidant effects: a deuterohemin–AlaHisLys mimic (DhHP-3) lowered blood glucose, reduced oxidative stress markers, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and protected pancreatic β-cells in a rat model of non-insulin-dependent diabetes, suggesting ROS scavenging and PI3K/Akt pathway activation as mechanisms. (PubMed)
The broader family of histidine-containing tripeptides (notably GHK and its copper complex) has extensive rat literature showing wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Gly-His-Lys (GHK) improved neurological recovery, reduced brain edema, and decreased neuronal apoptosis in rat intracerebral-hemorrhage models; mechanistic data point to modulation of microRNAs, VEGF signaling, Akt/PI3K pathways, and lowered inflammatory mediators. (PubMed)
Across these studies, routes of administration vary (intravenous, intraperitoneal, topical, or intracutaneous), doses range widely depending on peptide and model, and beneficial outcomes are commonly linked to reduced oxidative stress, modulation of growth-factor/signaling cascades, and improved histological repair. While promising in rodents, translation requires careful pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies. Researchers who buy AHK-Cu (Tripeptide-3) for laboratory use can source ahk-cu 100mg lyophilized powder from NuScience Peptides at 99% purity with a Certificate of Analysis included.
Where to Buy AHK-Cu 100mg
Researchers who buy AHK-Cu for laboratory use can order AHK-Cu 100mg (Copper Tripeptide-3) directly from NuScience Peptides.
- Ahk-cu 100mg lyophilized powder at 99% purity, HPLC verified.
- Certificate of Analysis included with every batch.
- Same-day shipping on in-stock orders placed before 12:00 PM EST.
- Free shipping on orders of $200 or more within the USA.
- Research use only.
AHK-Cu VS GHK-Cu — KEY DIFFERENCES
| Property | AHK-Cu | GHK-Cu |
| Amino Acids | Ala-His-Lys (Alanine-Histidine-Lysine) | Gly-His-Lys (Glycine-Histidine-Lysine) |
| Primary Research | Hair follicle biology, dermal papilla cells, anagen phase | Wound healing, collagen synthesis, anti-aging, general tissue repair |
| Research Selectivity | More selective for hair follicle and scalp research | Broader application across tissue repair and skin regeneration research |
| Available from NuScience | 100mg vial | Check product page for available sizes |
AHK-Cu TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Specification | Detail |
| Full Name | Alanine-Histidine-Lysine copper(II) complex |
| Also Known As | Copper Tripeptide-3, AHK Copper, AHK peptide copper |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Ala-His-Lys (Alanine – Histidine – Lysine) |
| Copper Ion | Divalent copper ion (Cu²⁺) coordinated via histidine |
| Molecular Formula | C15H24ClCuN6O4 |
| Molecular Weight | 451.39 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 682809-81-0 |
| PubChem CID | 168431292 |
| Purity | 99% by HPLC analysis |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Available Size | 100mg per vial |
Selected PubMed references (APA)
Díaz-Ruíz, A., Ríos, C., Carvajal-Sotelo, J., Ortiz-Plata, A., Espino-Solis, G. P., Méndez-Armenta, M., Montes, S., & Monroy-Noyola, A. (2010). Neuroprotective effect of DAHK peptide in an occlusive model of permanent focal ischemia in rats. Neurochemical Research, 35(2), 343–347. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-0060-3
Lei, L., Zhang, G., Li, P., Zhang, Y., Guo, Y., Zhang, W., Zhang, W., Hu, B., & Wang, L. (2014). Deuterohemin-AlaHisLys mitigates the symptoms of rats with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus by scavenging reactive oxygen species and activating the PI3-K/AKT signal transduction pathway. Chemico-Biological Interactions, 220, 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2014.05.008
Zhang, H., Wang, Y., & He, Z. (2018). Glycine-Histidine-Lysine (GHK) alleviates neuronal apoptosis due to intracerebral hemorrhage via the miR-339-5p/VEGFA pathway. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12, Article 644. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00644
ALL LITERATURE, INFORMATION, AND DATA, PROVIDED ON THIS WEBSITE ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
Properties
| Molecular Formula |
C15H24ClCuN6O4– |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | 451.39 g/mol |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 450.084353 Da |
| Polar Area | 450.084353 Da |
| Complexity | 462 |
| XLogP | |
| Heavy Atom Count | 27 |
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 5 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 8 |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 6 |
| Physical Appearance | White Lyophilized Powder |
| Stability | |
| PubChem LCSS |
PubChem LCSS |
Identifiers
| CID | 168431292 |
|---|---|
| CAS | 682809-81-0 |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C15H25N6O4.ClH.Cu/c1-9(17)13(22)21-12(6-10-7-18-8-19-10)14(23)20-11(15(24)25)4-2-3-5-16;;/h7-9,11-12,17H,2-6,16H2,1H3,(H4,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25);1H;/q-1;;+2/p-2/t9-,11-,12-;;/m0../s1 |
| InChIKey | DTNUNAICWDULHO-UVEFGIHYSA-L |
| Isomeric SMILES | C[C@@H](C(=O)[N-][C@@H](CC1=CNC=N1)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)[O-])[NH-].Cl.[Cu+2] |
| Canonical SMILES | |
| IUPAC Name | copper;(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[(2S)-2-azanidylpropanoyl]azanidyl-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino]hexanoate;hydrochloride |
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