GHK
Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine · Liver cell growth factor
Popular for:Skin rejuvenation, gene expression reset, collagen synthesis, the base peptide behind GHK-Cu
N/A
Registered Trials
1
Trial Publications
250
PubMed References
Animal
Evidence Level
Overview
GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine) is a naturally occurring human tripeptide first isolated from human plasma in 1973 by Dr. The short version: people usually care about it for skin rejuvenation, gene expression reset, collagen synthesis, the base peptide behind ghk-cu, but the strength of the evidence depends heavily on indication and study type.
GHK (Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine) is a naturally occurring human tripeptide first isolated from human plasma in 1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart. It is the base peptide that forms GHK-Cu when complexed with copper ions. GHK alone has significant biological activity — it can reset gene expression of multiple genes to a healthier state.
A landmark 2012 study by Pickart and colleagues found that GHK could reset the expression of 4,000+ genes in human fibroblasts toward patterns associated with younger, healthier tissue. This gene-resetting ability distinguishes it from most other peptides that target single pathways. GHK levels in human plasma decline from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL by age 60.
Research Snapshot
What the evidence says
AnimalGHK currently shows N/A registered trials from ClinicalTrials.gov, 1 PubMed trial publications (1 RCT-tagged), and 250 PubMed references matching the stored source query. Treat PubMed references as literature surface area, not a count of clinical trials.
Known vs uncertain
Known signals
- ClinicalTrials.gov registered-trial count is marked N/A when the available intervention query would be too broad or misleading.
- 1 PubMed clinical-trial publications are indexed.
- 1 PubMed randomized controlled trial publications are indexed.
- 250 PubMed references are tracked separately from trial counts and can include animal, in-vitro, review, mechanism, or clinical records.
Open questions
- Evidence strength may vary by indication, route, formulation, and population.
- Public anecdotes can highlight interest or concern but do not establish clinical efficacy.
- Regulatory status and compounding access can change independently from the research literature.
Mechanism of Action
GHK modulates gene expression through multiple mechanisms: it activates or suppresses genes involved in collagen synthesis, anti-oxidant defense, DNA repair, apoptosis regulation, and immune modulation.
Key Research Benefits
Clinical Evidence Summary
Research Pipeline
N/A
Registered Trials
1
Trial Publications
1
RCT Publications
250
PubMed References
Registered trials are ClinicalTrials.gov intervention records. Trial publications are PubMed records tagged as clinical trials or randomized controlled trials. PubMed references are broader source-query matches and can include animal studies, in-vitro work, reviews, mechanism papers, and trial publications.
N/A
Registered trials
1
Trial publications
1
RCT publications
250
PubMed references
21
Reviews
0
Meta-analyses
Registered trials source
Jun 1, 2026
No reliable public query configured.
ClinicalTrials.gov intervention query disabled for this compound because the term is too broad or produces misleading registry matches.
Not FDA-approved. Available as cosmetic ingredient and research compound. GHK-Cu (copper complex) is the more commonly available form. Extensive published research by Loren Pickart and others.
Key PubMed References
250 PubMed references · showing top 25 by relevance
View all on PubMedInjectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.
Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, et al. · The American journal of sports medicine · 2026
PMID: 41476424Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.
Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026
PMID: 41490200Anxiolytic Effect of GHK-PGP Peptide and Its Structural Analogues in a Test with Punished Behavior.
Alferova ME, Bobyntsev II, Vorvul AO, et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2025
PMID: 41511598Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective.
Mortazavi SM, Mohammadi Vadoud SA, Moghimi HR · BioImpacts : BI · 2025
PMID: 39963574Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms.
Mao S, Huang J, Li J, et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025
PMID: 40672369Anecdotes & Sentiment
This section summarizes what people are talking about in public sources. It can be useful for spotting questions, hype cycles, and recurring concerns, but it is separate from the evidence sections above.
No curated public-discussion themes are live for GHK yet.
Side Effects & Safety
- Very well-tolerated (naturally occurring human peptide) - Minimal side effects reported in research - Injection site reactions if SubQ - Topical formulations may cause skin sensitivity in some individuals
Known Interactions
No curated interaction entry is live for GHK yet.
Until the interaction table is fully populated, use the interaction checker and related peptides below to explore adjacent compounds and likely research pairings.
Comparison Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Disclaimer
This page is for research and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Regulatory status can vary by compound, formulation, indication, and jurisdiction. Check official labeling, registry records, and qualified professional guidance before making any health-related decision. The studies referenced are linked to their original PubMed sources for verification.