Compound family

Tissue-repair peptides

In one sentenceThe healing peptides of the internet. Consistent animal results, one tripeptide with modest topical evidence, and no controlled human trial of injected use for any of them.
Compounds5
Best gradeC GHK-Cu
Approved medicines0 of 5
Prohibited in sport3 of 5

What this family is

This family is defined by what it is sold for rather than by a shared receptor: injury, recovery, gut repair and skin. BPC-157 is a fragment of a gastric protein with a large rat literature. TB-500 is a fragment of thymosin beta-4, a cell-migration protein. GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide found in plasma, and AHK-Cu its synthetic cousin sold for hair. KPV is the last three amino acids of the hormone α-MSH, studied for anti-inflammatory effects in the gut.

The human evidence is thin in a specific way. GHK-Cu has small trials of topical use for fine lines and skin firmness, which is why it is a legitimate cosmetic ingredient — and no evidence at all for injection. AHK-Cu has one laboratory study on cultured follicles and nothing in a person. Full-length thymosin beta-4 went through phase 3 trials as an eye drop, with mixed results and no approval; the injected fragment people buy has never completed a human trial. BPC-157's entire human literature is a 12-patient case series and a two-person pilot. KPV has no human study of any kind.

BPC-157 and TB-500 are prohibited in sport at all times. BPC-157 has been the subject of regulatory action in the United States, Australia and Canada. None is an approved medicine.

Grade counts across the family: 0 × A · 0 × B · 1 × C · 4 × D. The best grade here, C, means weak human evidence. How LYO grades →

The compounds, graded

Every member with its best-supported outcome grade, human-trial count and regulatory status. Each opens the full evidence page.

BPC-157

D

Synthetic pentadecapeptide from a gastric protein. Striking animal results; no controlled human trials.

Human trials0 controlled
StatusNot approved

TB-500

D

Fragment of thymosin beta-4. Human trials exist only as an eye drop; the injectable use has none.

Human trials0 for injected use
StatusNot approved

GHK-Cu

C

Copper-binding tripeptide. Modest human evidence for topical skin use; injected use has none.

Human trialsSmall topical trials
StatusCosmetic ingredient

AHK-Cu

D

GHK-Cu's less-studied cousin, sold for hair growth. One laboratory study on plucked follicles; no human trial.

Human trials0 — one ex vivo follicle study
StatusCosmetic ingredient; no clinical evidence

KPV

D

An anti-inflammatory tripeptide with real mouse data and no human trial at all.

Human trials0 controlled
StatusNot approved

Comparisons

Questions

Which healing peptide has human evidence?
GHK-Cu, applied to skin — small trials, modest effect. That is the only member with controlled human data for the use it is sold for. Nothing in the class has evidence for injected use.
BPC-157 or TB-500?
Neither has a controlled human trial for injury. BPC-157 has the larger animal literature; TB-500's parent protein has been through late-stage trials, but as an eye drop for a different condition. The comparison page goes through both in detail.
GHK-Cu or AHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu has small human trials for topical skin use; AHK-Cu has one ex vivo study and no human trial of any kind. For injection, neither has evidence.
Are healing peptides legal?
None is approved anywhere. In the EU and UK, supplying them for human use is an offence for the seller. Rules on possession vary; sport bans them outright.

Written and maintained by LYO Research — how pages are written and checked. Reviewed 23 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only. Not medical advice. Correct this page →