AHKCu
AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys-Cu) related to GHK-Cu. It stimulated hair-follicle elongation ex vivo (Pyo 2007); no human clinical trial.
Regulatory status (as of Sept 2026)
Not FDA-approved as a drug; sold in cosmetics.
See the FDA peptide regulatory tracker · Read our July 27, 2026 dispatch on the FDA PCAC peptide vote3 studies referenced · Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026 · Reviewed by The Peptide Dispatch Editorial Team · How we research & label content
Copper Peptide AHK-Cu is a compound studied only in lab (cell) experiments so far. AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys-Cu) related to GHK-Cu.
| Half-life | Topical (not systemically relevant) |
|---|---|
| How it's given in studies | Topical |
| Research stage | In vitro only |
| Dosing | Published research: No published human dosing details10^-12 to 10^-9 M AHK-Cu in ex vivo human hair-follicle organ culture and cultured dermal papilla cells (Pyo 2007).Community-reportedCommunity-reported: 1–3% in topical formulations, topical |
Published-research dosing is what was given in the cited studies (species and units as reported). Community-reported dosing is what users describe, not from clinical studies. Neither is a recommendation. Not medical advice.
Where each point comes from: Clinicalhuman trials and FDA labels Lab / animalrodent, cell and ex vivo studies Community-reporteduser experience and commonly used protocols, not from clinical studies
In plain terms: It is a small copper-carrying peptide that helped hair follicles grow in lab experiments. Proposed mechanism, from ex vivo and cell studies (Pyo 2007): the copper(II) complex of the tripeptide Ala-His-Lys stimulated elongation of isolated human hair follicles ex vivo and proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells, and reduced dermal papilla cell apoptosis. Tripeptide-copper complexes are described in that paper as raising VEGF production by dermal fibroblasts.
How to read this: Each item below is an effect observed in research subjects in the cited studies — think of Dexter, our stand-in research subject. These are findings from the literature, not results you should expect, and not medical advice.
Community-reportedUsers report Copper Peptide AHK-Cu in 1–3% in topical formulations (topical). This is not a recommendation.
Side effects reported in studies are listed separately below.
Community reports are anecdotal, vary widely in product quality and purity, and are not medical advice. Talk to a licensed provider.
AHK-Cu (Alanine-Histidine-Lysine-Copper) is a copper-binding tripeptide that has been studied for effects on hair growth. While related to the well-known GHK-Cu peptide, AHK-Cu has been specifically studied for its effects on hair follicle biology. In cultured human dermal papilla cells and ex vivo human hair follicles, AHK-Cu stimulated dermal papilla cell proliferation and hair-follicle elongation (Pyo 2007); no human clinical trial has been reported. Dermal papilla cells are the signaling cells at the base of hair follicles that control hair growth cycling.
Ala-His-Lys (3 amino acids) + Cu2+ ion
Molecular Weight: 403.9 Da (with copper)
Molecular Formula: C13H24N5O4Cu
Structure Details: Linear tripeptide-copper(II) complex. Histidine provides the primary copper coordination through its imidazole nitrogen. The copper ion is essential for biological activity.
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| Peptide | Half-Life | Route | Research Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Peptide AHK-Cu | Topical (not systemically relevant) | Topical | In vitro only |
| ARA-290 (Cibinetide) | No published PK data found | Subcutaneous injection, Intravenous | Phase 2 |
| BPC-157 | Elimination t1/2 < 30 min (rats and beagle dogs, IV and IM); IM bioavailability ~14-19% rats, 45-51% dogs | Subcutaneous injection | Preclinical (animal) |
| GHK-Cu | No published PK data found | Subcutaneous or topical | Cosmetic/topical |
| Pentapeptide-18 | Unknown | Topical | Cosmetic/topical |
Values reflect figures reported in published research. Compare any peptides side-by-side →
This peptide belongs to the Healing category. View All Healing Peptides
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Dosing, half-life figures, and mechanism descriptions on this page are compiled from peer-reviewed published research, with the species and study type stated where reported. Figures labeled “Dosing used in published research” describe what was given in those studies and do not constitute dosing recommendations for any human use. Each cited paper is listed with DOI and PubMed links in the References section above. Found an error? Contact us.