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All peptides

Immune · Investigational

Alpha-MSH

No lawful US pathway

Tell me if this changesRead the free 2026 Peptide Safety Checklist →
Written by Peptide Association Editorial TeamLast reviewed Editorial policy

01 · Overview

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a 13-amino-acid peptide produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC) (PMID 17934097). Acting through melanocortin receptors, it reduces production of proinflammatory cytokines, and a key part of this effect is inhibition of NF-kB activation by preserving its inhibitor IkB-alpha (PMID 11268347).

Much of its anti-inflammatory activity has been attributed to its C-terminal tripeptide, KPV (PMID 17934097), and therapeutic interest spans inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.

02 · Research summary & key findings

In animal models, alpha-MSH reduced colon lesions in rat colitis (PMID 11035215), inhibited adjuvant arthritis in rats (PMID 8528882), and suppressed endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats (PMID 14691168). Alpha-MSH itself has been infused in humans mainly in hormone physiology studies (PMID 1173303), and no controlled therapeutic trials of the native peptide were found. Synthetic analogs have progressed further: afamelanotide increased pain-free sun exposure in erythropoietic protoporphyria in randomized trials (PMID 26132941) and is FDA approved, while the analog ABT-719 failed to prevent kidney injury after cardiac surgery in a phase 2b trial (PMID 27543797).

03 · Regulatory status

Alpha-MSH is in the investigational stage. While preclinical and early-phase data exist, it has not received regulatory approval for clinical use in the United States.

No lawful pathway today

Alpha-MSH is not FDA-approved and does not currently have a lawful prescription or compounding pathway in the United States, so we do not sell it and will not book a consultation for it. That can change: in 2026 FDA began reviewing several peptides for compounding.

See the 1 FDA-approved compound in Immune

Tell me if the status changes

One email, only if this compound's regulatory standing actually moves. Not a newsletter, not a sales sequence.

04 · Administration routes

  • Subcutaneous injection
  • Intravenous

References

  1. [1]The effect of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone on colonic inflammation in the rat Peptides, 2000. PMID 11035215
  2. [2]The neuroimmunomodulatory peptide alpha-MSH Ann N Y Acad Sci, 2000. PMID 11268347
  3. [3]Influence of acute administration of human growth hormone and alpha-MSH on plasma concentrations of aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone and growth hormone in man Acta Endocrinol (Copenh), 1975. PMID 1173303
  4. [4]Inhibition of endotoxin-induced uveitis and potentiation of cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression by alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 2004. PMID 14691168
  5. [5]alpha-MSH related peptides: a new class of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs Ann Rheum Dis, 2007. PMID 17934097
  6. [6]Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria N Engl J Med, 2015. PMID 26132941
  7. [7]ABT-719 for the Prevention of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing High-Risk Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Phase 2b Clinical Trial J Am Heart Assoc, 2016. PMID 27543797
  8. [8]The neuropeptide alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone inhibits experimental arthritis in rats Neuroimmunomodulation, 1994. PMID 8528882

Primary literature

Related peptides in Immune

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.