What Is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu (Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva, and urine — circulating at approximately 200 ng/mL in young adults and declining to near-undetectable levels in the elderly. First characterized by Loren Pickart in the 1970s, GHK-Cu has one of the most diverse biological activity profiles of any peptide in current research.
Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
GHK-Cu dramatically accelerates wound healing through multiple mechanisms: it promotes fibroblast and endothelial cell migration into wound sites, stimulates synthesis of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans, and increases expression of VEGF and FGF — key angiogenic factors required for new blood vessel formation in healing tissue.
Anti-Aging Skin Research
In the skin, GHK-Cu reverses many molecular signatures of aging: it upregulates genes encoding structural proteins (collagen, elastin) while downregulating matrix metalloproteinases that degrade the extracellular matrix. Clinical studies of topical GHK-Cu application demonstrate reduction in fine lines, improved skin density and firmness, and increased skin thickness. Genome-wide analysis has shown GHK-Cu modulates the expression of over 4,000 human genes — resetting many aging-associated gene expression patterns toward younger profiles.
Quick Reference
Member reference tables summarize the compound's research parameters.
Research Indications
Research Protocols
As reported in cited literature and research-community logs (see Research Citations below), not a personal dosing recommendation.
This member section describes parameters reported in the research literature.
Peptide Interactions
This member section summarizes reported compound interactions and evidence limitations.
Reported Research Time Points
This member section summarizes reported research time points.
Safety Notes
Included for harm-reduction awareness only, in the event this compound is encountered outside its labeled research use. Inclusion here does not imply RUO Codes endorses, recommends, or instructs human use.
This member section discusses research safety considerations and uncertainties.
Quality Indicators
Research Citations
- Regenerative and Protective Actions of GHK-Cu Peptide
Review | Int J Mol Sci | 2018 | PMC6073405 - GHK Peptide in Skin Regeneration
Review | Biomed Res Int | 2015 | PMC4508379 - GHK and DNA: Resetting the Genome to Health
Review | Biomed Res Int | 2014 | PMC4180391 - GHK-Cu in Prevention of Oxidative Stress and Aging
Review | Oxid Med Cell Longev | 2012 | PMC3359723 - Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective
Mortazavi SM, Mohammadi Vadoud SA, Moghimi HR, 2025, Bioimpacts - Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians
Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, 2026, Am J Sports Med - An injectable hydroxyapatite microsphere filler loaded with GHK-Cu tripeptide for anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant
Hu D, Zhang X, Gong S, 2025, Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces - Enhanced biological properties of collagen/chitosan-coated poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold by surface modification with GHK-Cu peptide and 58S bioglass
Molavi AM, Sadeghi-Avalshahr A, Nokhasteh S, 2020, Prog Biomater - Polyaspartic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-Methyl propane sulfonic acid and sodium alginate based biocompatible stimuli responsive polymer gel for controlled release of GHK-Cu peptide for wound healing
Sharma S, Anwar MF, Dinda AK, 2022, J Biomater Appl