Melanotan-1 (10mg)
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is a synthetic α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) analog studied for its potent and selective activation of melanocortin-1 receptors, driving eumelanin synthesis and photoprotection in research models.
The Science
What is Melanotan-1?
Melanotan-1, also known by its INN afamelanotide, is a 13-amino-acid synthetic analog of α-MSH with a [Nle4, D-Phe7] substitution that confers greatly increased potency and metabolic stability versus native α-MSH.
Melanotan-1 selectively activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) on cutaneous melanocytes, shifting melanogenesis toward eumelanin (brown/black pigment) synthesis—the photoprotective form of melanin that absorbs UV radiation and reduces oxidative DNA damage.
Laboratory Observations
Research-Observed Areas of Interest
Photoprotection Research
Melanotan-1 increases eumelanin density in skin research models, reducing markers of UV-induced damage and providing a controlled tool for studying melanocortin-mediated photoprotection.
Erythropoietic Protoporphyria
Afamelanotide is approved in multiple jurisdictions for prevention of phototoxicity in adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria—a model condition that anchors much of its clinical research.
Vitiligo and Pigmentation Research
Combined with phototherapy, afamelanotide has been studied for repigmentation in vitiligo research, leveraging MC1R-driven melanocyte stimulation.
α-MSH Pathway Pharmacology
Selective MC1R activation makes Melanotan-1 a valuable research probe for dissecting melanocortin signaling, pigmentation biology, and downstream antioxidant gene expression.
Mechanism of Action
How Melanotan-1 Works
Melanotan-1 exerts its effects through selective melanocortin-1 receptor activation:
Selective MC1R Activation
Melanotan-1 binds and activates MC1R on cutaneous melanocytes, activating adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent signaling that drives microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression and downstream melanogenic enzymes (tyrosinase, TRP-1, TRP-2).
Eumelanin Synthesis
Activation favors eumelanin production over pheomelanin, increasing the cutaneous concentration of the more photoprotective pigment that absorbs UV radiation and quenches reactive oxygen species in melanosomes.
Photoprotective Pigmentary Response
Increased eumelanin content reduces UV-induced DNA damage in keratinocytes and melanocytes, providing a research model of melanocortin-driven photoprotection independent of UV exposure itself.
Research-Only Notice
Melanotan-1 (10mg) is categorized by the FDA as for research-purposes-only. It is not intended for human consumption, diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. The information above summarizes effects observed in laboratory studies to date and is provided strictly for scientific and educational reference.