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 →

GHK

Not FDA approved

Naturally occurring tripeptide

Also known as: glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine, Prezatide, Liver cell growth factor, Glycyl-histidyl-lysine, Copper(II)ghk, KOLLAREN, PC-1020 FREE BASE, ORISTAR GHK

Evidence score

50/ 100

Moderate evidence

A real evidence base, with gaps

Regulatory standing. Sold as a research chemical, not approved
Limited human data. Some human data exists, not conclusive
Registered human trials. 4 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov, most advanced Phase 4
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

GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a small tripeptide found naturally in human plasma, saliva, and urine, with levels reported to decline with age. It binds copper readily, and its copper complex (GHK-Cu) has been studied in lab and animal work for effects on wound repair, collagen production, and gene expression related to tissue remodeling.

What the evidence shows

Automatic summaryLimited human data

GHK is not FDA-approved for any use. Most of the roughly 290 published papers are laboratory, animal, or cosmetic skin studies, and only 3 registered human trials exist, so strong clinical evidence for specific health benefits in humans is lacking.

Key facts

Molecular formula

C14H24N6O4

Molecular weight

340.38 g/mol

Registered human trials

Live from ClinicalTrials.gov, refreshed daily.

4registered studies

Phase 4most advanced phase

1completed (sample)

1recruiting (sample)

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

Early Phase 1Enrolling By InvitationNCT07888595

Topical GHK-Cu Gel for Acute Skin Wound Healing

Phase 2RecruitingNCT07437586

Trial Assessing the Impact on Facial Skin Quality, Hydration, and Skin Barrier of Three (3) Hydrafacial Treatments in Adults of All Skin Types.

Phase 4CompletedNCT05932732

Two-Part Study of the Effects of the X39 Patch on Circulating GHK and GHK-Cu Levels in Healthy Adults

Not Yet RecruitingNCT07706361

Published literature

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

292papers referencing GHK

Emerging issues of connexin channels: biophysics fills the gap.

Q Rev Biophys2001

Redox chemistry of copper-amyloid-beta: the generation of hydroxyl radical in the presence of ascorbate is linked to redox-potentials and aggregation state.

Chembiochem2007

SPARC is a source of copper-binding peptides that stimulate angiogenesis.

J Cell Biol1994

Three histidine residues of amyloid-beta peptide control the redox activity of copper and iron.

Biochemistry2007

Sources

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