What is GHK-Cu 100mg (Copper Peptide)?
What Is GHK-Cu 100mg (Copper Peptide)?
If you are researching copper peptides in the UK, GHK-Cu is almost certainly the name at the top of your list. This guide explains exactly what GHK-Cu 100mg is, where the “copper peptide” nickname comes from, what the copper tripeptide is studied for in the laboratory, and how to choose a lab-verified source when you buy GHK-Cu in the UK.
GHK-Cu in one sentence
GHK-Cu (copper tripeptide-1) is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide — glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, or Gly-His-Lys — bonded to a copper(II) ion, and it is one of the most heavily studied copper peptides in extracellular-matrix, wound-healing and collagen research. Our GHK-Cu 100mg is supplied as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder, HPLC + mass-spectrometry verified to 99.71% purity, strictly for laboratory research.
What does “GHK-Cu” actually mean?
The name is a shorthand for the molecule’s structure:
- G = Glycine
- H = Histidine
- K = Lysine (K is the single-letter code for lysine)
- Cu = Copper, the chemical symbol for the copper(II) ion the peptide chelates
Put together, GHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid chain (a tripeptide) that binds a single copper ion with very high affinity. That bound copper is what gives reconstituted GHK-Cu its characteristic blue colour — a useful visual identifier in the lab, and the reason it is widely nicknamed the “copper peptide.” First isolated from human plasma, GHK naturally occurs in the body but declines with age, which is one reason it has drawn such sustained interest in aging and regeneration research.
Why “100mg”? Understanding GHK-Cu 100mg
The “100mg” simply refers to the total mass of lyophilised peptide in the vial. A larger 100mg vial is popular in research settings because it gives more material to work across multiple reconstitutions and dose–response experiments, and typically offers better value per milligram than smaller 10mg or 50mg formats. Because activity is concentration-dependent, having more material on hand makes it easier to run proper controls and repeat assays without re-ordering. When you are ready to prepare it, our peptide reconstitution guide walks through the process step by step.
What is GHK-Cu studied for? (Areas of research interest)
GHK-Cu sits at the intersection of copper biology and peptide activity, which is what makes it such a versatile molecular tool. In laboratory and preclinical models it has been investigated across several areas:
- Skin & wound-healing research: explored for its influence on collagen synthesis, tissue remodelling and recovery processes in preclinical models.
- Hair research: studied for potential effects on hair-follicle activity, with interest in growth and regeneration pathways.
- Anti-inflammatory & oxidative-stress pathways: investigated for its role in modulating inflammatory signalling and oxidative stress in cellular models.
- Aging research: considered a candidate for studies into skin firmness, elasticity and cellular-renewal processes.
- Copper homeostasis: used as a tool to probe peptide–metal coordination, copper bioavailability and metal-mediated signalling in model systems.
These are described strictly as documented areas of scientific investigation. GHK-Cu is not a medicine and is not intended for human or veterinary use.
GHK-Cu technical specifications
Here are the key data points for the copper tripeptide, matching the Certificate of Analysis supplied with each batch:
| Chemical name | Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(II) |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Copper Tripeptide-1, GHK Copper, Iamin, Prezatide Copper |
| Sequence | Gly-His-Lys (GHK) |
| Molecular formula | C₁₄H₂₄CuN₆O₄ |
| Molecular weight | ≈403.86 g/mol (peptide alone ≈340 g/mol) |
| CAS number | 49557-75-7 |
| Appearance | Blue to deep-blue lyophilised powder |
| Purity (this batch) | 99.71% — HPLC verified, MS identity confirmed |
| Classification | Naturally occurring tripeptide complexed with copper |
How researchers reconstitute and store GHK-Cu
GHK-Cu is soluble in sterile or bacteriostatic water and common aqueous buffers. A few handling points come up repeatedly in the literature:
- Allow the vial and diluent to reach ambient lab temperature before reconstitution to protect structural integrity.
- Avoid metal-chelating agents such as EDTA, which can strip the copper coordination that defines the molecule.
- Lyophilised powder is stable at room temperature for short transit; for the long term, store at −20°C or below.
- Once reconstituted, store at 2–8°C, protect from light, and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
Full handling detail is on our dosage & storage guide. You’ll want bacteriostatic water 10ml on hand before you start.
Why lab-verified purity matters when you buy GHK-Cu UK
The UK peptide market varies enormously in quality. Because GHK-Cu’s activity depends on intact copper coordination and clean peptide content, purity and identity testing aren’t optional extras — they’re the whole point. Every GHK-Cu batch we ship is independently HPLC-tested for purity (≥99%) and mass-spectrometry confirmed for identity, with a per-batch Certificate of Analysis you can read before you order. See exactly how we do it on our verification & testing page.
99.71% purity · HPLC + MS verified · UK stock · dispatched within 24 hours. Use code PAYDAY15 for 15% off.
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Related research peptides at ThePeptideCode
Researchers who work with GHK-Cu often pair it with, or move on to, other well-characterised peptides:
- KLOW80 Premium Blend — a four-component research blend, 99.32% verified purity.
- GLOW70 Peptide Pen — a cosmetic-science research blend supplied in pen format.
- BPC-157 10mg — Body Protection Compound, ≥99% purity, widely used in recovery and tissue research.
- BPC-157 / TB-500 Blend (Wolverine Stack) — a 20mg recovery-research blend.
- Bacteriostatic Water 10ml — the standard diluent for reconstitution.
Or browse the full research peptides UK catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Is GHK-Cu safe to use on humans?
No. GHK-Cu on ThePeptideCode is sold strictly for laboratory and research use only. It is not a licensed medicine, supplement or cosmetic, and it is not intended for human or veterinary use, diagnosis or treatment.
What colour should GHK-Cu be?
Blue to deep blue — that colour comes directly from the bound copper ion. Slight batch-to-batch variation in shade is normal and does not indicate a quality issue; purity is confirmed by HPLC and MS, not by colour.
How fast is UK delivery?
Orders placed before 12 noon Mon–Fri ship the same day from our UK facility via Royal Mail Tracked 24. Standard UK shipping is free when you spend over £100.
Do I get a Certificate of Analysis?
Yes. A per-batch Certificate of Analysis is published for every GHK-Cu batch and linked from the product page. You can also cross-check our testing standards on the verification page.
Where can I buy GHK-Cu 100mg in the UK?
Directly from ThePeptideCode: GHK-Cu 100mg | 99.71% Purity | Copper Tripeptide. UK stock, 24-hour dispatch, lab-verified, with multi-pack savings available.