Melanotan 2
10MGCyclic lactam alpha-MSH analog.
6 peer-reviewed citations for this compound
Read the sourcesVolume tiers count vials of this compound at this strength. Mixing different compounds does not combine toward a tier.
- ≥99% purity specification
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- Research use only
Released against a ≥99% HPLC purity specification and supplied as a sealed laboratory reagent for in vitro research use only.
- Type
- Cyclic lactam alpha-MSH analog
- CAS number
- 121062-08-6
- Molecular formula
- C50H69N15O9
- Molecular weight
- 1024.18 g/mol
- Amino acids
- 7
- Form
- Lyophilized powder
- Vial strength
- 10MG
- Purity specification
- ≥99% by HPLC
Identifiers are published properties of the molecule. Values we cannot confirm are omitted rather than estimated.
Dispatch
Ships within 1 business day of order confirmation, from the US. Vials ship lyophilized at ambient temperature; move them to the storage condition below on arrival.
Lyophilized
Store at -20°C, protected from light. Stable 24+ months sealed.
Reconstituted
Store at 2-8°C. Use within approximately 30 days.
How Melanotan 2 is described to act.
Melanotan-II is a synthetic cyclic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that acts as a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist, with central effects on ingestive behaviour attributed principally to the MC3 and MC4 receptor subtypes. In assays on cloned rat brain melanocortin receptors, a melanotan-II derivative showed significantly higher affinity and potency at MC4 than at MC3 receptors, and the rank order of MC4 receptor agonist potency, but not that of MC3 receptor agonists, matched the rank order for inducing grooming behaviour after intracerebroventricular administration. Rodent site-mapping work has localised part of the effect on feeding to the nucleus accumbens in addition to hypothalamic circuits, and central infusion studies report suppression of neuropeptide Y-driven hyperphagia. In human pharmacology reports, melanocortin receptor agonism produced penile erection in the absence of sexual stimulation.
Mechanistic descriptions summarize published in vitro and animal work. They are not a representation of efficacy or safety in any subject, and no administration guidance is given or implied.
In male rats, seven-day central infusion produced near-complete anorexia for one to two days that then waned despite continued infusion, cancelled the hyperphagia driven by co-infused neuropeptide Y, and roughly halved adiposity relative to pair-fed controls while curtailing the neuropeptide Y-induced rise in insulin and leptin. In rats on free-choice diets, the feeding response to melanotan-II depended on the fat content of the diet rather than on the degree of obesity, alongside measured differences in arcuate nucleus POMC and AgRP mRNA. Bilateral microinjection into the nucleus accumbens of mice decreased both consumption of and operant responding for standard chow, with the study additionally testing for aversive properties and for effects on metabolic rate. A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 20 men with erectile dysfunction monitored penile rigidity by RigiScan over six hours and recorded nausea and yawning as frequent adverse effects. A case report with literature review describes renal infarction attributed to non-prescription melanotan II use and notes prior reports of rhabdomyolysis and renal failure, proposing thrombotic influence and direct parenchymal toxicity as candidate mechanisms.
Sources & references
Cited literature is provided for scientific reference only and does not constitute a representation of efficacy or safety in any subject. All research findings presented are sourced from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational reference only.
- 01
- 02Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report
Peters B, et al. · CEN Case Rep, 2020
- 03Inhibitory Effect of the Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Melanotan-II (MTII) on Feeding Depends on Dietary Fat Content and not Obesity in Rats on Free-Choice Diets
van den Heuvel JK, et al. · Front Behav Neurosci, 2015
- 04
- 05Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II
Wessells H, et al. · Int J Impot Res, 2000
- 06
Every entry links to its record at the publisher or on PubMed. Titles are reproduced exactly as published.
Further searches
Live database searches for Melanotan 2, run against the current index and retrieved independently of this site.
Bench handling, not a dosing guide.
Intended use
Supplied exclusively as a research reagent for in vitro and laboratory use by qualified researchers. Not a drug, dietary supplement, cosmetic or medical device, and not for human or veterinary use. No dosing, route or administration guidance is provided for any compound in this catalog.
Personal protection
Handle in a controlled laboratory environment with gloves and eye protection. Avoid generating or inhaling airborne particulate when opening a vial, and do not handle the material outside a designated work area.
Opening and reconstitution
Lyophilized peptides are hygroscopic. Let the sealed vial equilibrate to room temperature before opening so atmospheric moisture does not condense onto the powder. Reconstitute by directing diluent down the vial wall and swirling until dissolved — do not shake, which shears and foams the peptide.
Stability and aliquoting
Store at -20°C, protected from light. Stable 24+ months sealed. Store at 2-8°C. Use within approximately 30 days. Aliquot reconstituted material and minimize repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Waste disposal
Dispose of unused material, reconstituted solutions and sharps through your institution's chemical and biological waste stream, in accordance with local regulations. Do not dispose of research material in domestic waste or to drain.
Important research notice
Not for human consumption. This product is sold exclusively for research and educational purposes. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This material is supplied exclusively as a research reagent for in vitro and laboratory use by qualified researchers. It is not a drug, dietary supplement, cosmetic, or medical device, is not intended for human or veterinary use, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. No dosing, administration, therapeutic, or benefit claims are made or implied. Cited literature is provided for scientific reference only and does not constitute a representation of efficacy or safety in any subject.
By purchasing this product, you confirm that you are a qualified researcher and will use it in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.