Melanotan II
✅ Supports skin pigmentation
✅ Enhances melanin production
✅ Promotes photoprotection pathways
✅ Boosts metabolic signaling
✅ Improves cellular function
Melanotan II bevat synthetisch peptideverbinding.
✓ Medisch beoordeeld door Morgan Ellis — Apotheekonderzoeker · 8 jaar ervaring · Laatst beoordeeld: mei 2026
Quick Answer — What is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (MTII) is a synthetic seven-amino-acid cyclic analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It is a broad melanocortin agonist with activity at MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R — distinguishing it from the more MC4R-selective PT-141. In research, MTII is studied for melanogenesis, photoprotection, and broader melanocortin pharmacology. Supplied in 10 mg lyophilized vials for laboratory research use only.
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| Specificatie | Detail |
|---|---|
| CAS-nummer | 121062-08-6 |
| Molecuulformule | C50H69N15O9 |
| Moleculair gewicht | 1024.18 Da |
| Sequentie | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 |
| Form | Lyofiliseerd poeder (of zoals geleverd) |
| Zuiverheid | ≥99% (HPLC geverifieerd, COA op aanvraag) |
| Opslag | Lyofiliseerd: 2–8 °C (koelkast) voor werkvoorraad; −20 °C voor langdurige opslag van ongeopende flesjes. Gereconstitueerd: 2–8 °C, gebruik binnen ~30 dagen. Bescherm tegen licht. Vries de gereconstitueerde oplossing niet in en ontdooi deze niet. |
| Oplosbaarheid | Bacteriostatisch water (aanbevolen) of steriel water voor kortere gebruiksperioden |
| Onderzoeksgebruik | Alleen voor laboratoriumonderzoek. Niet voor humaan of veterinair diagnostisch of therapeutisch gebruik. |
What Is Melanotan II?
Melanotan II (often abbreviated MTII) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It was developed in the 1980s at the University of Arizona by Hruby and colleagues as an analog designed to resist enzymatic degradation and cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently — useful tools for melanocortin-receptor pharmacology research.
Sequence (cyclic): Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2. Molecular weight approximately 1,024.2 Da. Unlike PT-141 (bremelanotide), which was refined from Melanotan II specifically to reduce MC1R activity (minimal tanning effect) while preserving MC4R-mediated research signals, Melanotan II retains broad melanocortin agonism — activity across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R.
This pan-receptor profile is the central research characteristic of MTII: it drives melanogenesis (MC1R) alongside appetite suppression (MC4R), arousal-pathway signaling (MC4R shared with PT-141), and broader melanocortin effects. Supplied as a high-purity lyophilized powder for reconstitution with bacteriostatic water. Melanotan II is uitsluitend voor laboratoriumonderzoek and is not intended for human or veterinary diagnosis or therapy. The US FDA has issued multiple public warnings about unregulated Melanotan II use — it has never received FDA approval and carries documented safety concerns including atypical nevus development, elevated blood pressure, nausea, and focal hyperpigmentation. For deeper mechanism and research context, see our full Melanotan II research guide.
Mechanism of Action — Broad Melanocortin Agonism
Melanotan II’s pharmacology is defined by its activity across multiple melanocortin-receptor subtypes, each producing a distinct research-relevant effect:
- MC1R agonism (melanogenesis) — MTII binds MC1R on epidermal melanocytes, activating cyclic-AMP signaling that switches melanin synthesis from pheomelanin to eumelanin. Eumelanin absorbs UV radiation more effectively than pheomelanin, producing the tanning research signal that distinguishes MTII from MC1R-selectively-weaker analogs such as PT-141.
- MC4R signaling (CNS pathways) — MTII activates MC4R in hypothalamic regions including the mPOA and arcuate nucleus, producing appetitive-behavior modulation, feeding-behavior effects, and CNS arousal-pathway signaling that partially overlaps with PT-141’s primary research use.
- MC3R and MC5R activity — MTII’s broader receptor profile includes activity at MC3R (central energy homeostasis) and MC5R (exocrine-gland and peripheral-tissue effects). This broader activity contributes to the research observation that MTII produces more heterogeneous effects than MC4R-selective analogs — and to the wider safety-profile concerns.
Because Melanotan II activates multiple melanocortin pathways simultaneously, it has been used in laboratory research across dermatology, neuroscience, endocrinology, and melanocortin pharmacology. The lack of MC-receptor selectivity is also why FDA and dermatological societies have warned about its unregulated use — off-target effects are more common than with selective analogs.
Published Research Applications
Melanotan II is used in laboratory research contexts that investigate:
- Melanogenesis research — MC1R-driven eumelanin synthesis in cultured human melanocytes and rodent pigmentation-research models (Dorr et al., Life Sci 1996; Langan et al., Br J Dermatol 2010)
- Photoprotection research — UV-response and melanin-production research in dermatology models, with a particular research focus on high-risk-for-skin-cancer populations
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) research — closely related MC1R-agonist research led to FDA approval of afamelanotide (Scenesse) for EPP — MTII is one of the key reference compounds in this research lineage
- Melanocortin receptor pharmacology — MC1R/MC3R/MC4R/MC5R selectivity profiling in drug-discovery research
- CNS arousal-pathway research — MC4R-mediated CNS effects (partial overlap with PT-141 research space)
- Appetite / feeding-behavior research — MC4R modulation of feeding in rodent behavioral models
- Comparative MC-analog research — side-by-side with PT-141 (bremelanotide) to isolate MC4R-selective vs broad-spectrum effects
For broader context on MC-family peptides see the onderzoekspeptiden catalogus.
Available Strengths
MedsBase stocks Melanotan II in a single 10 mg lyophilized vial strength, available in 10-vial, 20-vial, or 30-vial pack formats:
| Vulsterkte | Typisch gebruik | Verpakkingsgroottes |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | Standard research strength — supports approximately 40 administrations at 250 mcg titration dose | 10, 20, or 30 vials |
The 10 mg single-strength format matches typical research protocol requirements. Published protocols typically use a titration strategy (starting at 250 mcg and increasing to 500 mcg–1 mg) to manage MTII’s narrow tolerability window. Supplied as lyophilized powder at 99%+ HPLC purity.
How It Compares — Melanotan II vs PT-141
MTII and PT-141 are the two most-studied melanocortin research peptides. PT-141 was developed from MTII specifically to narrow the receptor-selectivity profile and reduce off-target effects — the comparison is clinically and mechanistically instructive:
| Criterium | Melanotan II | PT-141 (Bremelanotide) |
|---|---|---|
| Receptor selectivity | Broad: MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R | MC4R-preferred (reduced MC1R) |
| Primary research signal | Melanogenesis, tanning, appetite, arousal | Central arousal pathway |
| Regulatorische status | Unapproved (FDA warnings issued) | FDA-approved as Vyleesi (HSDD) |
| Side-effect profile | Broader: pigmentation changes, nausea, BP rises, nevus development | Narrower: nausea, flushing, transient BP |
| Typical research dose | 250 mcg titration to 1 mg | 1–1.75 mg as needed |
In research where receptor selectivity matters (central arousal without tanning), PT-141 is typically preferred. In research where broad melanocortin activity is the variable of interest (e.g., melanogenesis-focused dermatology research), MTII remains the canonical reference compound.
Opslag en Reconstituering
Voor reconstituering: store lyophilized vials refrigerated at 2–8 °C in original packaging, stable up to 36 months. Avoid freeze-thaw cycles on the powder.
Reconstitueringsprocedure: inject bacteriostatic water down the side wall of the vial per the chart above. Swirl gently — do niet shake — and allow 5–10 minutes for full dissolution. Solution should be clear and colourless.
Na reconstitutie: store refrigerated at 2–8 °C and use within 30 days. Do not freeze reconstituted solution.
Veelgestelde vragen
What is Melanotan II used for in research?
Melanotan II is used in laboratory research investigating melanogenesis (MC1R-driven eumelanin synthesis), photoprotection, melanocortin-receptor pharmacology, CNS arousal pathways, appetitive-behavior research, and comparative MC-analog pharmacology (especially versus MC4R-selective PT-141). It is niet FDA-approved and is sold here strictly for laboratory research use only.
How is Melanotan II different from PT-141?
PT-141 (bremelanotide) was refined from Melanotan II specifically to reduce MC1R activity (minimal tanning) and sharpen MC4R-mediated arousal-pathway effects. Melanotan II retains broad activity across MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R. PT-141 is FDA-approved as Vyleesi for female HSDD; MTII is not approved and carries FDA safety warnings about unregulated use.
Is Melanotan II FDA approved?
No. Melanotan II has never received FDA, EMA, or any regulatory approval for any indication. The US FDA has issued multiple public warnings about unregulated Melanotan II products because documented safety issues include atypical nevus (mole) development, transient hypertension, nausea, and focal hyperpigmentation. All Melanotan II sold by research-use-only suppliers is for laboratory investigation only.
What is the typical Melanotan II research dose?
Published preclinical protocols and research titration schemes typically start at 250 mcg and increase incrementally to 500 mcg or 1 mg per administration. A 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water yields 5 mg/mL — 5 ticks on a U-100 syringe delivers 250 mcg. The titration approach is standard because MTII has a narrow tolerability window.
Why has the FDA warned about Melanotan II?
The FDA and dermatological societies have flagged MTII because unregulated sales for cosmetic tanning have produced documented safety issues including melanoma-associated atypical nevi, dysplastic nevus syndrome exacerbation, elevated blood pressure, rhabdomyolysis in isolated cases, and focal hyperpigmentation. Because research-use-only supply does not carry the same quality controls as pharmaceutical manufacturing, lot-to-lot variability has also been documented. Laboratory research should treat MTII with the same caution as any unapproved compound.
How should Melanotan II be stored?
Lyophilized vials: refrigerated at 2–8 °C in original packaging, stable up to 36 months. Reconstituted solution: refrigerated at 2–8 °C, use within 30 days. Do not freeze reconstituted solution.
How do I reconstitute Melanotan II?
Follow the reconstitution chart above. Add bacteriostatic water down the side wall of the vial, swirl gently, and allow 5–10 minutes for full dissolution. Do niet shake. Three dilution options are provided depending on desired per-administration volume.
Is Melanotan II related to afamelanotide or Scenesse?
Yes, indirectly. All three are synthetic α-MSH analogs in the melanocortin family. Afamelanotide (Scenesse) is the FDA-approved implant for erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Melanotan II is a distinct research analog with different receptor-selectivity and administration route (SC injection vs subcutaneous implant). Some of the mechanistic research that preceded afamelanotide’s approval involved MTII as a reference compound.
Welke sterktes heeft MedsBase op voorraad?
MedsBase carries Melanotan II in 10 mg lyophilized vials, available in 10-vial, 20-vial, or 30-vial pack sizes. All vials are supplied at 99%+ HPLC purity with a certificate of analysis on request.
Does Melanotan II cause side effects in research?
Reported effects in published research and case-report literature include: nausea (especially early in dosing), transient blood-pressure elevation, facial flushing, yawning, appetite suppression, and focal hyperpigmentation. More serious concerns include atypical nevus development and, in isolated case reports, associations with dysplastic nevi or melanoma. These concerns are a primary reason for the FDA warnings and why research protocols should use conservative titration.
What is the half-life of Melanotan II?
Melanotan II has an estimated plasma half-life of approximately 33 minutes, with a terminal elimination half-life of around 2 hours based on human pharmacokinetic studies. Research protocols studying acute MC1R/MC4R effects use single-dose administration, while those examining sustained tanning or other endpoints use repeated dosing schedules.
How does Melanotan II differ from PT-141?
Melanotan II is a cyclic α-MSH analog with broad melanocortin receptor (MC1R–MC5R) activity, studied for UV-induced pigmentation, appetite suppression, and arousal research. PT-141 (bremelanotide) is a metabolite of Melanotan II with reduced MC1R activity and more selective MC4R activity, and has FDA approval for hypoactive sexual desire disorder. MT-II produces more pronounced pigmentation effects; PT-141’s central arousal effects have the more characterised clinical dataset.
Can I order Melanotan II for international shipping?
Yes. MedsBase ships Melanotan II worldwide from our dedicated peptide shipping network. Peptide-only orders qualify for our standalone peptide shipping service. Orders ship in temperature-controlled packaging with full tracking.
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Verder lezen
📖 Lees het onderzoek achter dit peptide
Lees onze volledige evidence-based gids: Melanotan II — mechanism, melanogenesis & honest research. Covers MC-receptor pharmacology, the MTII-to-PT-141 lineage, FDA safety warnings, published research dosing ranges, reconstitution protocols, and comparative analog context.
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| Sterkte | 10 mg |
|---|---|
| Hoeveelheid | 10 flacons, 20 flacons, 30 flacons |
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