Melanotan 2

What it is

Melanotan 2 is a shorter, cyclic relative of Melanotan 1 developed at the University of Arizona. Its ring structure makes it very stable, and it activates several melanocortin receptors rather than just MC1.

How it works

Activation of MC1 darkens skin. Activation of MC3 and MC4 receptors in the brain affects appetite and sexual arousal, which led to the development of PT-141 from the same structure.

What the research shows

• Small early human studies explored tanning and erectile effects.
• Case reports describe nausea, flushing, darkening and changes in moles, and rare serious events, among people using unregulated products.

Regulatory status

Not approved anywhere. Health regulators in the US, UK, Australia and Europe have warned consumers against unlicensed Melanotan 2 products.

Storage and handling

Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder is most stable sealed, dry and protected from light. Laboratory practice is to keep unopened vials frozen at about -20 °C for long-term storage, or refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C for shorter periods. After reconstitution, keep the solution refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and use aseptic technique for every draw. Formal stability data in solution has not been published for most research peptides, so follow the supplier's label and certificate of analysis.

Reconstitution math

To work out concentration, volume and U-100 syringe units for any vial size, use the reconstitution calculator with Melanotan 2 selected. Always confirm the vial content against the label and the batch's certificate of analysis.

Key references

• Hadley ME, Dorr RT. Melanocortin peptide therapeutics: historical milestones, clinical studies and commercialization. Peptides. 2006.
• Search PubMed for Melanotan 2 studies

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