Product

Melanotan II 10 mg: Pharmaceutical-Grade α-MSH Analogue for Research

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic peptide developed in the 1990s at the University of Arizona as a non-selective analogue of α-MSH (melanotropic hormone). Peptivia Lab offers a pharmaceutical-grade 10 mg formulation, HPLC-tested, assembled and shipped from Canada for laboratory research.

Each lyophilized vial comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) certifying a purity of over 99%.

What is Melanotan II?

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide designed to study melanocortin receptor signaling mechanisms. Unlike endogenous α-MSH, its cyclic structure provides enhanced chemical stability and affinity for several melanocortin receptor subtypes.

It was first synthesized by Dr. Victor Hruby’s team at the University of Arizona as part of research on skin pigmentation and photoprotection. Since then, it has been widely used in laboratories as an investigational tool for melanocortinergic signaling pathways.

Mechanisms of action studied in research

Melanotan II acts as a non-selective agonist of melanocortin receptors. In vitro studies document its affinity for several receptor subtypes:

• MC1R — studies on melanogenesis and cellular photoprotection
• MC3R and MC4R — research on energy regulation and homeostasis
• MC5R — investigations on sebaceous glands and inflammation

Biochemical cascades observed in research models include:

• Activation of adenylyl cyclase and cAMP production
• Stimulation of tyrosinase, a key enzyme in the melanin biosynthesis pathway
• Modulation of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in neuropeptide studies

These mechanisms are reported in available scientific literature and are presented for informational purposes only, within a research context.

Research Areas

Melanotan II is the subject of active studies in several scientific fields:

• Experimental dermatology and melanogenesis research
• In vitro cellular photoprotection studies
• Research on the melanocortin system and its physiological functions
• Studies on energy homeostasis (animal models)
• Research on sebaceous glands and skin
• Development of selective peptide analogues

Technical specifications

• Dosage: 10 mg per lyophilized vial
• Purity: greater than 99%, tested by HPLC-MS
• Form: lyophilized peptide (white powder)
• Peptide sequence: Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂
• Molecular weight: 1024.2 g/mol
• Structure: cyclic heptapeptide
• Certificate of Analysis (COA): Available upon request
• Packaging: Sealed glass vial, sterile handling recommended
• Origin: Pharmaceutical-grade peptide synthesis

Reconstitution and Storage

Melanotan II is supplied in lyophilized form and must be reconstituted with bacteriostatic water (not included).

Before reconstitution: Store the closed vial in a cool, dry place, away from light.

After reconstitution: Store in the refrigerator (2-8°C). Use the solution within 60 days.

💧 Why bacteriostatic water? It contains 0.9% benzyl alcohol which inhibits bacterial growth, allowing for safer and longer preservation of your research peptide solutions. Read our complete guide to bacteriostatic water →

Why choose Peptivia Lab?

• Based in Canada — fast shipping, no customs for Canadian customers
• Pharmaceutical grade — each batch is tested by HPLC-MS
• Full traceability — Certificate of Analysis (COA) available
• Discreet delivery — neutral packaging, tracking provided
• Bilingual service — customer support in French and English
• Secure payment — Interac and bank transfers

Complementary peptides for your research

Researchers working with Melanotan II often study other peptides related to skin, pigmentation, or homeostasis:

• GHK-Cu — dermatology and skin regeneration research
• MOTS-C — research on metabolism and energy homeostasis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What exactly is Melanotan II?

Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic peptide, a non-selective analogue of α-MSH (melanotropic hormone). It was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1990s as a research tool for melanocortin receptors and melanogenesis.

What is the difference between Melanotan I and Melanotan II?

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) is a linear analogue selective for the MC1R receptor. Melanotan II is a non-selective cyclic heptapeptide that interacts with several melanocortin receptor subtypes (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R). Their research profiles are therefore different.

Is Melanotan II legal in Canada?

Melanotan II is sold strictly for laboratory research purposes. It is not approved by Health Canada for human or veterinary use. Our products are intended for scientific research only.

How do I reconstitute my 10 mg vial of Melanotan II?

Add bacteriostatic water to the lyophilized vial using a sterile syringe. The amount of water depends on the desired concentration for your research protocol. Gently tilt the vial until completely dissolved (do not shake vigorously).

How long does reconstituted Melanotan II remain stable?

Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, Melanotan II must be stored refrigerated between 2 and 8 °C, and used within 60 days.

What is the purity of Peptivia Lab’s Melanotan II?

Our Melanotan II batches have a purity greater than 99%, validated by HPLC-MS. A certificate of analysis (COA) is available upon request for each batch.

Do you ship across Canada?

Yes, Peptivia Lab ships across Canada with discreet packaging and full tracking. Delivery times vary by province.

⚠️ Warning – Research Use Only

Melanotan II sold by Peptivia Lab is strictly intended for scientific laboratory research. This product is not a drug, is not approved by Health Canada for human or veterinary use, and must not under any circumstances be administered to humans or animals. Qualified scientific supervision is essential. By purchasing this product, you confirm that you are a qualified researcher or authorized professional.