KPV

DNot approvedTissue-repair peptides →Lys-Pro-Valα-MSH(11-13)melanocortin tripeptide
In one paragraphKPV is a three-amino-acid fragment (lysine-proline-valine) from the tail of the hormone α-MSH, studied for anti-inflammatory effects. In cell and mouse models of gut inflammation it dampens inflammatory signalling, which is the basis of its reputation for 'healing' and gut health. No controlled human trial of any kind has tested it. It is not approved anywhere.
Schematic 3D structure of KPV
3 residues · Lys-Pro-Val, C-terminal α-MSH fragment · schematic
Overall gradeD No human evidence
Human trials0 controlled
Outcomes graded3
Last reviewed3 September 2026
EvidenceWhat it isHow it worksUnknownsMolecule & PKRegulationQuestionsReferences

What the human research shows

Interesting preclinical anti-inflammatory biology and a complete absence of human evidence. Everything sold about KPV for gut health, wound healing or recovery rests on mouse and petri-dish studies.

MetabolicCardioMuscleHealingNeuroImmuneSexualSkinAgeing

Evidence profile0–5

  • Metabolic & weight—0.0
  • Cardiovascular—0.0
  • Muscle & growth—0.0
  • Healing & repairD0.0
  • Neuro & sleep—0.0
  • Immune & inflammationD0.0
  • Sexual & hormonal—0.0
  • Skin & appearance—0.0
  • Ageing & longevity—0.0
No benefit outcome for KPV has both human evidence and a measurable effect, so the profile is empty. That is the finding, not a gap in the chart.
OutcomeGradeEffect sizeHuman studiesWhere the evidence comes from
Intestinal / systemic inflammationDNo human evidenceNot measurable0 controlledKPV reduces inflammation in mouse models of colitis and in cultured immune and epithelial cells, including when delivered by targeted nanoparticles. No human trial has tested it.
Wound healing / recoveryDNo human evidenceNot measurableNonePopular claims about wound healing and recovery extend from the α-MSH anti-inflammatory literature; there is no controlled human study of KPV for these uses.
Safety in humansadverseDNo human evidenceNot measurableNoneNo human dosing study exists, so there is no safety dataset at any dose or route.
AMultiple good human trials, consistentBSome human trials, mostly consistentCFew or weak human studiesDAnimal or anecdotal onlyeffect size · red = adverse

Literature searched to 3 September 2026. Human studies only; animal and cell work informs the mechanism section and nothing else.

What it is

KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the same hormone that Melanotan mimics — but this small fragment lacks the pigment and appetite activity and retains an anti-inflammatory signature in laboratory models.

It is sold as an oral or injectable 'gut-healing' and anti-inflammatory peptide. That marketing runs far ahead of the evidence, which is entirely preclinical.

How it is thought to work

In cells it appears to interfere with inflammatory signalling pathways (such as NF-κB) and can be taken up by a peptide transporter that is over-expressed in inflamed gut tissue. Whether any of this happens usefully in a person is untested.

What is still unknown

  • Whether it does anything in a human being.
  • Dose, route, stability and safety in people — none established.
  • Whether oral KPV survives digestion in a useful form.

The molecule and how long it lasts

Identity
Formula
C16H30N4O4
Molecular weight
342.43 g/mol
CAS number
67727-97-3
PubChem
CID 125672

Recorded as MSH(11-13)

PubChem record, read 23 September 2026.

Pharmacokinetics
Route
Oral or injected as sold; no human study
Half-life
No human pharmacokinetic data

No pharmacokinetic study in people.

Regulatory status

European Union
Unauthorised medicinal product

No marketing authorisation in any member state. Supplying it for human use is an offence under national medicines law; a 'research use only' label does not change that.

United States
Not approved

Not an approved drug and not a dietary-supplement ingredient. Sold as a 'research chemical' outside the medical system; the FDA has warned against several compounds in this class.

United Kingdom
Unlicensed medicine

Not licensed by the MHRA. Selling or supplying it for human use is an offence under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.

Australia
Prescription-only / unapproved

Not on the ARTG. Supply without a prescription is unlawful; imports are seized.

Canada
Not authorised

No Drug Identification Number; selling it for human use is illegal.

Sport (WADA)
Prohibited at all times

As a non-approved substance, KPV falls under WADA class S0 (non-approved substances) and is prohibited in and out of competition.

Questions people actually ask

Does KPV help gut inflammation in people?
Unknown. The anti-inflammatory data are from mouse colitis models and cell studies. It has never been tested in a controlled human trial.
Is KPV related to Melanotan?
It is the small anti-inflammatory tail of the same parent hormone (α-MSH), but without the tanning and appetite effects. Different fragment, different activity.

One page per claimed effect

References

  1. 1
  2. 2

Change log

  • 2026-09-03Initial publication. All outcomes graded D on absence of human trials.