Not FDA approved and sold as a research chemical. This page is educational information only. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use anything.

IndexedBuilt automatically from public databases on 2026-09-30. Not yet hand-reviewed by PLOBT.How this works →

AHK-Cu

Not FDA approved

Copper-binding tripeptide

Also known as: copper tripeptide AHK, AHK-Cu?, orb1910722

Evidence score

27/ 100

Thin evidence

Very thin human evidence

Regulatory standing. Sold as a research chemical, not approved
Animal / preclinical only. Evidence is largely animal or in-vitro
Registered human trials. 1 registered study on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Early Phase 1
1 cited source. Includes primary / regulatory sources

Computed with the same four public criteria as every profile. The human-evidence grade on an indexed profile is set automatically and may change when it is hand-reviewed. It is not a safety score, not a purity rating, and not medical advice, and not a claim that this compound treats, cures, or prevents any condition.

What it is

AHK-Cu is a small synthetic peptide made of three amino acids (alanine, histidine, lysine) bound to a copper ion, related to the better-known GHK-Cu. It is mainly marketed in cosmetic and hair care products and is thought to act on skin and hair follicle cells, possibly by influencing cell growth signals and collagen production.

What the evidence shows

Automatic summaryAnimal / preclinical

There are no registered human trials, and the published literature is very thin, consisting largely of lab studies on cultured cells. Any effects on hair growth or skin in people have not been established.

Key facts

Molecular formula

C15H24ClCuN6O4-

Molecular weight

451.39 g/mol

Registered human trials

Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.

1registered studies

Early Phase 1most advanced phase

0completed (sample)

0recruiting (sample)

Systemic and Topical Geroprotective Rejuvenation Assessed by START/REST Aging Clocks

Early Phase 1Enrolling By InvitationNCT07888595

Published literature

Live from Europe PMC. This is how much has been published, not how much is proven in humans.

1papers referencing AHK-Cu

The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro.

Arch Pharm Res2007

Sources

Risks, side effects and study doses are only published on hand-reviewed profiles. Want this one reviewed, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.