Source comparison
Melanotan-1 Peptide: Formulation Comparison
Researchers selecting melanocortin analogs must understand how structural differences affect experimental applications and expected outcomes. Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide) MC1R, MC5R 33–41 minutes 1,000× greater Photoprotection, pigmentation pathways, dermatolog
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Researchers selecting melanocortin analogs must understand how structural differences affect experimental applications and expected outcomes.
- Melanotan-1 (Afamelanotide)
- MC1R, MC5R
- 33–41 minutes
- 1,000× greater
- Photoprotection, pigmentation pathways, dermatological inflammation
- 28 days at 2–8°C
- Selective MC1R agonist ideal for pigmentation research with minimal MC3R/MC4R cross-reactivity
- Melanotan-2
- MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R
- 60–90 minutes
- Appetite modulation, sexual behavior, pigmentation (secondary)
- 21 days at 2–8°C
- Broader melanocortin receptor profile suits metabolic and behavioral studies but introduces confounding pigmentation effects
- α-MSH (Native)
- 20 minutes
- 1× (reference)
- Basic melanocortin receptor characterization
- Not applicable (endogenous peptide)
- Rapid degradation limits experimental utility—synthetic analogs required for reproducible protocols
- CJC1295 Ipamorelin 5MG 5MG
- GHRH receptor, Ghrelin receptor
- 6–8 days (CJC1295)
- Not applicable (growth hormone pathway)
- Growth hormone secretion, body composition studies
- Different peptide class entirely—growth hormone secretagogues rather than melanocortins
- Melanotan-1's selective MC1R targeting differentiates it from Melanotan-2, which exhibits significant MC3R and MC4R activity. Researchers investigating isolated pigmentation mechanisms should prioritize Melanotan-1 to avoid confounding metabolic effects from hypothalamic melanocortin receptor activation.