Explore BioBoost LabsGHK-Cu
The naturally occurring tripeptide GHK bound to a copper(II) ion, first identified in human plasma.
What the name means
“GHK” is the one-letter code for the three amino acids in the peptide: glycine (G), histidine (H) and lysine (K).
“Cu” is the chemical symbol for copper. So GHK-Cu literally reads as the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine in complex with a copper ion.
What it actually is
GHK-Cu is a metal-peptide complex: a three-residue peptide that coordinates a single copper(II) ion.
The peptide sequence is Gly-His-Lys (GHK). The free peptide has the formula C14H24N6O4 (about 340.4 g/mol); the imidazole of histidine and the amino terminus help coordinate the bound copper.
Where it came from
GHK was identified by Loren Pickart in the early 1970s during studies of factors in human plasma, and its high affinity for copper was recognized in that work.
The peptide occurs naturally in the body and its measured levels in plasma are reported to decline with age, which is part of why it attracted research interest as a copper-carrying molecule.
Why it was created — the thought process
GHK-Cu was not invented so much as isolated and then studied. The scientific rationale centered on the idea that a small peptide could act as a physiological carrier and delivery form for copper.
Copper is an essential trace metal used by many enzymes, and a peptide that binds it tightly yet reversibly is a natural candidate for regulating copper availability to cells. Later research examined the intact complex directly.
How it is made
The GHK peptide is assembled by solid-phase peptide synthesis, then purified by HPLC and verified by mass spectrometry.
The copper complex is formed in a second step by combining the purified peptide with a copper(II) salt under controlled conditions, so the metal coordinates to the peptide in a defined ratio. The blue color of the resulting complex is a visible hallmark of copper coordination.
What the research actually shows — honestly
GHK-Cu has been studied in laboratory and animal models across areas such as tissue repair and skin biology, and it appears in some cosmetic literature.
Much of this evidence is preclinical or from small studies, and rigorous clinical proof of the effects it is often associated with remains limited. GHK-Cu is provided for research use only (RUO) and is not an approved therapeutic. Copper complexes also require careful handling, since excess copper can be harmful.
Selected research & sources
The items below are drawn from the peer-reviewed literature (PubMed) and describe results observed in research models or reported in the clinical literature. They are listed so the evidence can be examined at its source — not to suggest any use.
- Pickart L. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008. “The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.” doi.org/10.1163/156856208784909435
- Buffoni F, Pino R, Dal Pozzo A. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1995. “Effect of tripeptide-copper complexes on skin wound healing and fibroblasts.” (PubMed PMID 8836453) PMID 8836453
- Badenhorst T, Svirskis D, Wu Z. Pharm Dev Technol. 2014. “Physicochemical characterization of native GHK for dermal delivery.” doi.org/10.3109/10837450.2014.979944
- Gruchlik A, Chodurek E, Dzierzewicz Z. Acta Pol Pharm. 2014. “Effect of GHK and its copper complex on TGF-β secretion in dermal fibroblasts.” (PubMed PMID 25745767) PMID 25745767
- Cangul IT, et al. Vet Dermatol. 2006. “Topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits.” doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2006.00551.x
Regulatory status: Not an approved drug; widely used as a cosmetic ingredient. Research material is handled RUO.
◆ A reference, not a recommendation
This page explains what GHK-Cu is and where it came from — the science and the story — not who should use anything, or how. These are research materials for laboratory research only; nothing here is medical, dosing, or treatment advice.
Research-use-only educational content. Factual overview; claims of clinical benefit are not implied.