GHK-Cu is the copper-bound form of a three-amino-acid peptide, glycyl-histidyl-lysine. This is an identity fact, not a product claim.
Schlesinger et al., Experientia, 1977Plain-English research guideGHK-Cu (glycyl-histidyl-lysine : copper)
GHK-Cu research guide
Everything worth knowing, without the jargon.
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper peptide - the copper-bound form of a three-amino-acid chain (glycyl-histidyl-lysine, GHK) that the body makes and carries in the blood. It's one of the most-studied small peptides there is, almost entirely in the lab.
Form Labs materials are research reference materials, not the approved medicines; no Form Labs product is approved for human or veterinary use.
REV 2026-10 · 1 Oct 20267 peer-reviewed studiesResearch-use-only context
What the papers reportThird-party literature - not product claims
The year the peptide's effect on cell growth was first reported, in liver-cell research. This is published research context, not a product claim.
Pickart, Thayer & Thaler, Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1973About the level of GHK that circulates in the plasma of a young adult. A 2018 review reports it falling to roughly 80 ng/mL by age 60. The body makes this peptide itself. This is literature context, not a product claim.
Pickart & Margolina, Int J Mol Sci, 2018In gene-profiling research, the share of the genes analysed whose activity GHK shifted by at least half, some up and some down. This is a published research figure, not a product claim.
Pickart & Margolina, Int J Mol Sci, 2018Why it matters
Why is GHK-Cu studied?
GHK-Cu is studied because it is a copper peptide that occurs in nature. It is the copper-bound form of glycyl-histidyl-lysine (GHK), a chain of three amino acids that the body makes and carries in the blood (Schlesinger et al., 1977). Researchers noticed long ago that its level is high when we are young and lower as we age. Most of the research is on the copper-bound form. Almost all of it is in the lab.
A peptide the body already makes.
Schlesinger et al. (1977) identified a plasma factor as glycyl-histidyl-lysine. Lau and Sarkar (1981) mapped how copper(II) binds to that peptide. These are identity and chemistry findings.
Maquart et al. (1988) reported more collagen made in a cell model. Maquart et al. (1993) reported more connective tissue in an animal model. These models are separate from clinical research in people.
The research does not have large human trials. So this guide sticks to what the lab and animal studies looked at. It treats all of it as research context. It is not something the vial will do for a person.
Study observations
What laboratory observations have GHK-Cu studies reported?
Lau and Sarkar (1981) mapped how copper binds to GHK. Maquart et al. (1988) reported more collagen made in a cell model. Maquart et al. (1993) reported more connective tissue in an animal model. These are lab and animal findings. They are not clinical results.
GHK-Cu cell and animal measurements Findings stay tied to the cited study and its model.
Peptide identification
Schlesinger et al. (1977) identified the plasma factor as glycyl-histidyl-lysine. This is an identity finding.
Copper binding
Lau and Sarkar (1981) mapped how copper(II) binds to glycyl-histidyl-lysine in a chemistry study.
Cell and animal observations
Maquart et al. (1988; 1993) reported collagen and connective-tissue observations in separate cell and animal models.
Pharmacology at a glance
- Research code
- GHK-Cu (glycyl-histidyl-lysine : copper)
- Class
- A copper-binding peptide of three amino acids that occurs in nature. 'Copper peptide' is the research category, not a drug class.
- Molecule
- A three-amino-acid peptide (glycyl-histidyl-lysine) bound to a single copper(II) atom. As supplied, it is a blue freeze-dried powder.
- Reported half-life
- No clinical half-life is recorded in this guide.
- Originator
- A natural human peptide, not an invented drug. Loren Pickart and colleagues led its research from the 1970s on.
- Approval status
- Lab research material only. It is not an approved medicine, cosmetic or supplement, and not for human or veterinary use.
What it has been studied for
What has GHK-Cu been studied for?
GHK-Cu has been studied in five areas: copper chemistry, collagen in cells and animals, skin pathways in the lab, hair-follicle cells in a dish, and gene activity. The collagen studies used cells and animals, not people. The hair-follicle work used cultured cells, not anyone's scalp. All five areas are pathway or cell research. None is a cosmetic or product result.
Study areas from the published literature.
Copper chemistry
How a copper(II) ion binds the GHK peptide. This chemistry defines the complex.
Lau & Sarkar, Biochem J, 1981Collagen, in cells and animals
Collagen production in cultured skin cells, and connective tissue in animal wound models. No human study.
Maquart et al., FEBS Letters 1988 / J Clin Invest 1993Skin pathways, in the lab
Reviewed for its role in lab skin-regeneration pathway research. This is pathway work, not a cosmetic result.
Pickart et al., BioMed Research International, 2015Hair-follicle cells, in the dish
Studied in vitro on cultured human hair-follicle (dermal-papilla) cells. These are cells in a dish, not anyone's scalp.
Pyo et al., Arch Pharm Res, 2007Gene expression
Gene-profiling research that describes shifts in the activity of many genes in cell models.
Pickart & Margolina, Int J Mol Sci, 2018The studies
What did the GHK-Cu studies find?
The seven GHK-Cu studies in this guide are lab, animal and review work (Pickart, Thayer & Thaler, 1973, to Pickart & Margolina, 2018). Pickart, Thayer and Thaler (1973) first reported that the peptide changes how cells grow. Lau and Sarkar (1981) mapped how copper(II) binds it. A review reported that GHK shifted the activity of about 31.2% of the genes analysed by at least half in cell-model profiling (Pickart and Margolina, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018).
Open any study for a plain summary, what it measured, the finding, and a link to the paper.
The first report that a small peptide from human blood plasma could change how liver cells behaved in culture.
- Studied in
- Human liver cells and hepatoma (liver-tumour) cells in culture.
- Design
- An early lab study, and the first look at the peptide's activity.
- Measured
- Cell survival and growth in the dish.
A three-amino-acid peptide from plasma helped keep normal liver cells alive. It also affected growth in the tumour cells. This observation started decades of GHK research (Pickart, Thayer & Thaler, 1973).
DOI 10.1016/0006-291X(73)91459-9This paper pinned down the exact structure of the plasma peptide as glycyl-histidyl-lysine (GHK).
- Studied in
- Purified peptide from human plasma.
- Design
- Structural identification.
- Measured
- The amino-acid sequence of the active peptide.
The plasma factor that changes cell growth was identified as the tripeptide glycyl-histidyl-lysine. This is the 'GHK' that every later paper refers to (Schlesinger, Pickart & Thaler, 1977).
DOI 10.1007/BF02002806Work that suggests GHK's activity is tied to how it carries copper into cells.
- Studied in
- Cell and biochemical systems.
- Design
- Mechanistic lab study.
- Measured
- How the peptide interacts with copper and moves it.
The paper proposed that GHK works partly by helping copper get into cells. This is the idea behind studying the copper-bound form, GHK-Cu, instead of the peptide alone (Pickart and colleagues, 1980).
DOI 10.1038/288715a0A detailed look at the chemistry of how a copper(II) ion attaches to GHK.
- Studied in
- Purified GHK and copper(II) in solution.
- Design
- Coordination-chemistry study.
- Measured
- How, and how tightly, copper binds the peptide.
Mapped how copper(II) binds to glycyl-histidyl-lysine. This chemistry defines the GHK-Cu complex supplied as reference material (Lau & Sarkar, 1981).
DOI 10.1042/bj1990649One of the landmark cell studies: collagen production in cultured skin cells exposed to the GHK-Cu complex.
- Studied in
- Cultured fibroblasts, a common collagen-making skin cell.
- Design
- An in-vitro cell culture study.
- Measured
- Collagen synthesis by the cells.
In this cell model, the GHK-Cu complex was linked to more collagen made (Maquart and colleagues, 1988). It is an in-vitro finding. The cells were in a dish, not in people.
DOI 10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-XA follow-up that moved from the dish to an animal model. It looked at connective tissue in experimental wounds.
- Studied in
- Rat experimental wounds.
- Design
- An in-vivo animal-model study.
- Measured
- Connective tissue that built up at the wound site.
In this animal model, the GHK-Cu complex was linked to more connective tissue at the wound (Maquart and colleagues, 1993). It is an animal finding, not a human result.
DOI 10.1172/JCI116842A review of gene-profiling work on GHK. It covers which genes shift, and by how much, in cell models.
- Studied in
- A review of published cell-model gene-activity data.
- Design
- A narrative review by GHK's original researchers.
- Measured
- Reported shifts in gene activity across profiling studies.
The review reports that GHK shifted about 31.2% of the genes analysed by at least half, some up and some down, in cell-model profiling (Pickart & Margolina, 2018). This is a lab research figure. It also comes from a review by the peptide's own researchers. So we cite it as published context, not proof.
DOI 10.3390/ijms19071987Where evidence stops
What has GHK-Cu research not established?
The GHK-Cu studies in this guide use cell cultures, animal models and reviews. This guide lists large human clinical trials among the research it does not contain. The research gives no direction for use in or on people or animals. It describes the molecule in general, not what a specific batch does.
- Large human clinical trials: there are no big randomised human studies like the ones for newer metabolic peptides.
- Any use in or on people or animals: none of the research on this page is a use direction.
- What a specific batch does: the studies are about the molecule in general, not this vial.
Development and status
Is GHK-Cu approved, and where does the research stand?
This guide describes GHK-Cu as lab research material only. Its research timeline begins when a small peptide in blood plasma was found to change liver-cell behaviour in culture (Pickart, Thayer & Thaler, 1973). The structure was identified in 1977 (Schlesinger et al., 1977). The copper(II) binding chemistry was mapped in 1981 (Lau & Sarkar, Biochemical Journal, 1981). A gene-activity review followed in 2018 (Pickart & Margolina, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018).
A tiny plasma peptide is found to change liver-cell behaviour in culture (Pickart, Thayer & Thaler).
The peptide's structure is identified as glycyl-histidyl-lysine - GHK (Schlesinger et al.).
Research links GHK's activity to carrying copper into cells (Pickart et al., Nature).
The copper(II)-GHK binding chemistry is mapped in detail (Lau & Sarkar).
GHK-Cu is studied for collagen synthesis in cultured skin cells (Maquart et al.).
Maquart et al. (1993) reported more connective tissue in an animal wound model.
Human hair-follicle cells are studied in vitro (Pyo et al.).
A review pulls together gene-activity profiling of GHK (Pickart & Margolina).
Approval status: Lab research material only. It is not an approved medicine, cosmetic or supplement, and not for human or veterinary use.Whatever the molecule’s status elsewhere, what Form Labs supplies is research-use-only reference material - for laboratory work, not for people or animals.
Evidence and limitations
What does the GHK-Cu research mean, and what does it not?
The GHK-Cu evidence is mainly cell cultures, animal models and reviews. It helps in understanding the molecule. It does not turn into claims about people. Many of the recent gene and blood-level numbers come from reviews by the original GHK researchers. So this guide cites them as published context, not as independent proof.
Most of it is lab and animal work
The GHK-Cu evidence is mainly cell cultures, animal models and reviews. That is useful for understanding the molecule. It does not turn into claims about people.
Some key figures come from the same authors
Many of the recent gene and blood-level numbers come from reviews by GHK's original researchers. We cite them as published context, not independent proof.
The lab report is the authority for a batch
Each lab report covers only the sample, amount and lot it names. Match the lot number on your vial to the reports in the certificate library.
Lab handling
How is GHK-Cu handled as reference material?
GHK-Cu is lab reference material. It is not for human consumption or veterinary use. Storage and lot checks follow the product label and any verified matching certificate of analysis (COA). This guide's catalogue record notes storage at 2-8 C and protection from light.
Research-use boundary
GHK-Cu is supplied strictly for lab research. It is not for human consumption, or for veterinary, medical or cosmetic use.
COA and label
Each lab report covers only the sample, amount and lot it names. Match the lot number on your vial to the reports in the certificate library.
Storage
Store cold at 2-8 C and keep it out of light. Copper peptides are sensitive to light.
Educational boundary
This guide is a plain summary of third-party research that Form Labs did not run. It is not medical advice or a product claim.
Glossary
Plain-English definitions.
- GHK
- Glycyl-histidyl-lysine, a peptide of three amino acids (glycine, histidine and lysine).
- GHK-Cu
- The copper-bound form of GHK. It is the same peptide holding one copper(II) atom.
- Copper peptide
- A short peptide that binds a copper ion. GHK-Cu is the best-known example.
- Tripeptide
- A peptide made of three amino acids.
- In vitro
- In the dish. This means lab work in cells or solution, outside a living body.
- In vivo
- In a living organism. Here it means animal-model studies.
- Fibroblast
- A common skin cell that makes collagen. Many GHK-Cu cell studies use it.
- Gene expression
- Which genes are switched on or off in a cell, and how strongly.
- COA
- Certificate of analysis. It is the batch paperwork that controls identity, purity, appearance and release.
- Research use only
- A lab-only boundary. It means not for human consumption, or for veterinary, medical or cosmetic use.
FAQ
What are the most common questions about GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is a copper peptide that the body makes. Form Labs supplies it as lab reference material for research use only. The common questions cover whether GHK-Cu is natural or synthetic, what the gene research does and does not show, and why it is studied for skin and hair. They also cover what controls batch details, and its Australian status.
GHK is a peptide that the body makes and carries in the blood. The GHK-Cu supplied as research material is made to match it. It is a copper-bound freeze-dried powder for the lab. So it is both natural and made in a lab.
Gene-profiling research describes GHK shifting the activity of a large share of the genes analysed. One 2018 review reports about 31% changing by at least half. That is a lab research figure in cell models. It is not a claim about what happens in a person. You may see a 'resets 4,000 genes' headline online. The research does not state that number, so we do not use it.
A lot of the lab work looks at collagen in cultured skin cells and at hair-follicle cells in the dish. That is why those areas come up. But they are cell and animal studies. They are not proof of any cosmetic result. This is research-only material.
Batch-specific findings need a verified matching lab report (COA). The papers here are background only.
No. GHK-Cu is not an approved medicine in Australia. It is not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. The TGA has not evaluated it for safety, quality or effectiveness. You may have seen GHK-Cu listed as an ingredient in cosmetic products sold elsewhere. That is a separate regulatory category. It says nothing about the material on this page. Form Labs supplies GHK-Cu strictly as lab research material.
GHK-Cu is supplied in Australia as reference material for research use only, not for human or veterinary use. It is not an approved medicine and is not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Orders are limited to lab and research customers aged 21 or over.
'For research use only' means GHK-Cu is supplied strictly as lab reference material. It is for in-vitro research, not for use in or on humans or animals. It is not a medicine, a supplement, a cosmetic or food. Everything on this page describes published research and the identity of this batch. It does not give instructions for use.
References
Every figure, sourced.
Educational references to third-party literature. Form Labs is unaffiliated with the study authors.
Pickart L, Thayer L, Thaler MM. A synthetic tripeptide which increases survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in hepatoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1973.
DOISchlesinger DH, Pickart L, Thaler MM. Growth-modulating serum tripeptide is glycyl-histidyl-lysine. Experientia. 1977.
DOIPickart L, Freedman JH, Loker WJ, et al. Growth-modulating plasma tripeptide may function by facilitating copper uptake into cells. Nature. 1980.
DOILau SJ, Sarkar B. The interaction of copper(II) and glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a growth-modulating tripeptide from plasma. Biochem J. 1981.
DOIMaquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Lett. 1988.
DOIMaquart FX, Bellon G, Chaqour B, et al. In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ in rat experimental wounds. J Clin Invest. 1993.
DOIPickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015.
DOIPickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in the light of the new gene data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018.
DOICitations are provided for education only. No therapeutic, weight-loss, or efficacy claims are made.
How we produce these guides
These guides are written and maintained in-house by the Form Laboratories research team. They summarise published literature and link to the cited papers. Form Laboratories did not run those studies. They are not authored by a named clinician and are not medical advice.
Findings remain tied to the study population, model and limits. Cell and animal observations remain separate from clinical results. Everything we supply is research-use-only reference material, not for people or animals.
The product
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