AHK (TRIPEPTIDE-3)
Also known as
Tripeptide studied as its copper complex (AHK-Cu) for hair follicle and skin effects. Preliminary evidence — single ex-vivo/in-vitro study only, no human clinical trials published.
Evidence
Animal or in-vitro only
Risk band
Serious AEs reported or theoretical
Research goals
Summary
AHK (tripeptide-3) is studied primarily as its copper complex, L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ (AHK-Cu), for effects on hair growth [1]. In the one available study, AHK-Cu at very low concentrations stimulated elongation of human hair follicles ex vivo and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells, and it shifted apoptosis markers (an elevated Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced cleaved caspase-3 and PARP), though the reduction in apoptotic dermal papilla cells was not statistically significant [1]. This is a single laboratory study using ex vivo and cultured cells rather than treatment of living patients. There are no human clinical trials in the provided literature, so the evidence for AHK as an administered therapeutic is preliminary and purely preclinical.
Sources
- 1. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro Archives of pharmacal research, 2007.
For educational purposes only.