KPV: Anti-Inflammatory alpha-MSH Signalling Without Pigmentation
A synthetic tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH studied for anti-inflammatory effects without the pigmentation or arousal effects of full melanocortin agonists.
What is KPV?
KPV (Lysine-Proline-Valine) is a synthetic tripeptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), residues 11-13. It retains α-MSH's anti-inflammatory melanocortin signaling but, being only three amino acids, lacks the pigmentation-darkening and sexual-arousal effects seen with full-length analogs like Melanotan II. Research interest centers on gut inflammation, skin inflammation, and wound healing via modulation of the NF-κB pathway. It's sold only as a research compound, no clinical trial or FDA approval data exists.
Quick facts
- Molecular Formula
- C16H30N4O4
- Molecular Weight
- 342.43 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 67727-97-3
- Sequence
- Lys-Pro-Val
- Class
- Synthetic tripeptide, α-MSH(11-13) fragment
- Brand Names
- No trademarked brand, sold as a research compound
- Legal Status
- Not FDA-approved for human use, research use only (RUO)
- Category
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Storage
- Store the lyophilized vial refrigerated (2-8°C) or at -20°C, away from light. Once reconstituted, keep refrigerated at 2-8°C and use promptly.
Dosing at a glance
10mg vial + 2mL bacteriostatic water = 5000mcg/mL. A 300mcg dose is roughly 0.06mL (6 units on an insulin syringe). Run the numbers in the KPV reconstitution calculator.
Store the lyophilized vial refrigerated (2-8°C) or at -20°C, away from light. Once reconstituted, keep refrigerated at 2-8°C and use promptly.
KPV Mechanism of Action
α-MSH Fragment Without the Pigmentation Effects
KPV is a synthetic tripeptide reproducing the C-terminal three residues (Lys-Pro-Val) of alpha-MSH, the parent hormone behind Melanotan II. Because it lacks the rest of the α-MSH sequence, KPV retains melanocortin-pathway anti-inflammatory signaling without triggering the skin-darkening or libido effects associated with full-length melanocortin agonists.
NF-κB Pathway Modulation
Preclinical research points to KPV suppressing NF-κB activation, a master transcription factor driving inflammatory cytokine production. This mechanism underlies most of its studied applications, gut inflammation (colitis models), skin inflammation, and general wound-healing support, though nearly all supporting data is preclinical or in-vitro rather than human clinical evidence.
KPV Dosage and Protocols
Research Protocol Ranges
Vendor/research-typical protocols use 200–500mcg subcutaneous once daily. Oral capsule and topical forms are also sold by some vendors, though no formal dose-finding study exists for any route, all figures here reflect informal research-community convention, not clinical validation.
KPV Side Effects and Safety
Limited Safety Data
No formal human safety or tolerability data exists for KPV. Given its origin as an α-MSH fragment, theoretical concerns include unknown effects on appetite or mood at higher doses, though KPV specifically lacks the receptor-binding profile responsible for Melanotan II's stronger appetite/libido effects. Active CNS or psychiatric conditions and pregnancy are treated as precautionary contraindications.
Contraindications
Reported contraindications: pregnancy, active malignancy, known CNS disorders without physician oversight.
KPV Research Evidence
Preclinical Evidence Only
KPV's anti-inflammatory and gut-protective effects have been studied primarily in animal colitis models and cell-based assays. No published human clinical trial exists. Its popularity as a research/self-experimentation compound has outpaced the formal evidence base considerably.
Regulatory and Legal Status
KPV has no FDA-approved indication and is not approved for human consumption. It is sold exclusively as a research-grade compound (RUO, research use only). Researchers and users should verify the legal status of KPV in their jurisdiction prior to purchase or use, regulations on unapproved peptide research chemicals vary widely and change frequently.
KPV Stacking and Combinations
KPV + BPC-157
A common research pairing targeting gut health, KPV's anti-inflammatory melanocortin signaling alongside BPC-157's gastric and soft-tissue repair effects. This combination, along with GHK-Cu and TB-500, forms the basis of the popular KLOW blend.
KPV + GHK-Cu
KPV is also paired with GHK-Cu in skin-focused research protocols, combining KPV's anti-inflammatory effects with GHK-Cu's collagen-remodeling and wound-healing properties.
KPV Pharmacokinetics
Rapid Clearance Expected
As an unmodified tripeptide with no stabilizing modifications, KPV is expected to have a very short half-life, likely on the order of minutes, consistent with other small unmodified peptides. No formal human pharmacokinetic study has been published to confirm this.
Legal status
Not FDA-approved for human use, research use only (RUO)
Regulatory standing is a statement about how a compound may be sold and prescribed, not about whether it works. See how we grade evidence.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical KPV dose?
Published research protocols report 200–500 mcg, 1x daily. This is the range described in the literature, not a recommendation.
What is the half-life of KPV?
Likely minutes (unmodified tripeptide), no formal human pharmacokinetic data exists.
Is KPV backed by strong evidence?
KPV carries a REGEN research grade of D. REGEN Research Tier D, preclinical only (animal / in-vitro).
How is KPV administered?
Routes reported in the literature: subcutaneous, oral, topical.
Who should avoid KPV?
Contraindications noted in the literature include pregnancy, active malignancy, known CNS disorders without physician oversight.