AHK-Cu 50mg, Research Peptide Canada

Buy AHK-Cu in Canada from Anglo Peptides, a Canadian research-grade supplier of the copper-binding tripeptide AHK-Cu. Every vial is produced in a cGMP-compliant facility, independently verified to ≥99% purity by third-party HPLC, and lyophilised for stability. Orders ship same-day in cold-pack packaging, arrive within 1 to 3 business days across Canada, and include a batch-specific certificate of analysis. The summary below reflects the published preclinical and cosmetic-science literature and is provided for laboratory research context only.

What Is AHK-Cu?

AHK-Cu is a synthetic copper-binding tripeptide in which the sequence alanine-histidine-lysine (Ala-His-Lys) is coordinated to a copper(II) ion, forming a stable blue-tinted chelate. It is a designed analogue of the naturally occurring copper peptide GHK-Cu, differing by a single residue: alanine replaces the glycine at the first position. AHK-Cu carries the INCI name Copper Tripeptide-3 and CAS number 682809-81-0 for the hydrochloride form. It is worth noting a common labelling error in the market: the CAS number 49557-75-7 and the name Copper Tripeptide-1 belong to GHK-Cu, not AHK-Cu, and are sometimes mistakenly applied to AHK-Cu products. Within copper-peptide research, AHK-Cu is generally positioned toward hair-follicle and dermal applications, although the data supporting that distinction are limited compared with the much larger GHK-Cu literature.

Mechanism of Action

Mechanistic understanding of AHK-Cu rests on a small primary literature plus extrapolation from related copper peptides.

Copper delivery. Like other copper peptides, AHK-Cu acts as a carrier that delivers bioavailable copper. Copper is an enzymatic cofactor for lysyl oxidase and other enzymes involved in collagen and elastin cross-linking and extracellular-matrix synthesis.

Dermal papilla and hair-follicle activity. In the most-cited primary study, AHK-Cu stimulated proliferation of cultured human dermal papilla cells and elongation of human hair follicles ex vivo at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations.^[1]

Angiogenic and growth-factor signalling. The same work reported that the complex raised production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by dermal fibroblasts, a plausible route to improved peri-follicular blood supply, while increasing fibroblast proliferation and decreasing secretion of TGF-β1, a factor associated with the regression phase of the hair cycle.^[1]

Collagen and matrix remodelling. Copper tripeptides of this family stimulate collagen, glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan synthesis and modulate matrix-remodelling enzymes. This is well documented for GHK-Cu;^[2][4] for AHK-Cu it is a reasonable inference from the shared copper-peptide chemistry rather than direct proof.

Research Applications

Published work on AHK-Cu is preclinical and cosmetic-science grade.

Hair-growth research. The headline application is hair research, supported by the in-vitro and ex-vivo findings of dermal papilla proliferation and follicle elongation.^[1]

Skin and matrix research. By analogy to GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu is studied in the context of collagen synthesis, extracellular-matrix remodelling and skin regeneration, drawing on the foundational copper-peptide literature.^[2][3]

State of the evidence. There are no published human clinical trials demonstrating efficacy for AHK-Cu specifically. The GHK-Cu evidence base is far deeper but concerns a different molecule. AHK-Cu should be treated as an investigational research compound and is supplied for laboratory use only.

Stability, Solubility and Handling

Anglo Peptides supplies AHK-Cu as a lyophilised powder, typically light blue in colour owing to the copper complex. For research it is dissolved in sterile or bacteriostatic water or an appropriate aqueous buffer. Copper-peptide complexes are pH-sensitive, and strong chelators or reducing agents such as EDTA or high concentrations of ascorbic acid can dissociate the copper, so these should not be combined in the same solution. Store the lyophilised powder cold and desiccated, protected from light, with long-term storage at -20°C; keep reconstituted solution refrigerated and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. These notes apply to in-vitro and animal research only.

Product Specifications

• Compound: AHK-Cu (Ala-His-Lys copper complex), Copper Tripeptide-3
• Sequence: Ala-His-Lys coordinated to copper(II)
• CAS: 682809-81-0 (hydrochloride; note 49557-75-7 belongs to GHK-Cu)
• Molecular formula: C15H25ClCuN6O4 (supplier-reported, HCl salt)
• Molecular weight: ~452 g/mol
• Purity: ≥99% by HPLC
• Size: 50 mg per vial
• Form: Lyophilised powder
• Testing: Independent third-party HPLC and mass spectrometry
• Documentation: Batch-specific certificate of analysis
• Origin: Made in Canada

Quality, Testing and Canadian Sourcing

Every batch of Anglo Peptides AHK-Cu is independently tested to ≥99% purity with a lot-specific certificate of analysis. Producing and finishing vials in Canada lets us verify the full labelled milligram content and ship quickly without customs delays. Read more on our Canadian sourcing page. Researchers comparing copper peptides often study AHK-Cu alongside GHK-Cu, its closely related counterpart.

Comparison With GHK-Cu

AHK-Cu is most usefully understood beside its better-known relative, GHK-Cu. The two copper tripeptides differ by a single residue, with alanine in AHK-Cu replacing the glycine of GHK-Cu, yet GHK-Cu carries decades of foundational research as a naturally occurring plasma peptide associated with wound healing and extracellular-matrix remodelling, while AHK-Cu is a wholly synthetic analogue with a much thinner primary literature centred on hair-follicle models. In research practice the two are frequently studied side by side: GHK-Cu serves as the well-characterised reference copper peptide, and AHK-Cu is examined where the question concerns dermal-papilla activity or follicle biology specifically. Because the copper coordination chemistry is shared, much of the matrix-related rationale for AHK-Cu is extrapolated from the GHK-Cu record rather than demonstrated independently, a distinction worth keeping explicit in any study design.

Considerations for Research Use

Copper peptides require a little more care than simple peptides. The complex is pH-sensitive, and its blue colour reflects the bound copper that gives the molecule its proposed activity; conditions that strip the copper will change what is actually being tested. Strong chelators such as EDTA and high concentrations of reducing agents such as ascorbic acid can dissociate the copper, so these should not be combined in the same solution unless that interaction is the subject of study. The primary hair-research findings were reported at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations, a useful starting point for dose-response design, though optimal ranges depend on the cell system. As always, appropriate vehicle and untreated controls, confirmation of identity, and verification of purity for each lot are essential for reproducible data, and an under-dosed or copper-depleted preparation will distort any result. Every Anglo Peptides batch ships with third-party HPLC verification and a lot-specific certificate of analysis.

Reconstitution, Storage and Handling in Detail

For laboratory use, the lyophilised powder is typically brought to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation, then reconstituted by adding sterile or bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder, and swirled gently rather than shaken to limit foaming and shear stress. The choice of diluent depends on the study: sterile water is common for single-session work, while bacteriostatic water, which contains a small amount of benzyl alcohol, is often preferred when a solution will be drawn from over several days. Once reconstituted, the solution is kept refrigerated at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, protected from light, and used within a defined window, with aliquoting into single-use portions the most reliable way to avoid the repeated freeze-thaw cycles that degrade peptides. The lyophilised powder itself is far more stable than any solution and is best stored frozen, sealed and desiccated, for long-term holding. These are general research-handling conventions; the lot-specific certificate of analysis and its storage guidance should always take precedence for a given batch.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, et al. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. PubMed
2. Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Lett. 1988;238(2):343-346. DOI
3. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):1987. PubMed
4. Maquart FX, Bellon G, Chaqour B, et al. In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ in rat experimental wounds. J Clin Invest. 1993;92(5):2368-2376. DOI

Research use only. AHK-Cu supplied by Anglo Peptides is intended exclusively for licensed laboratory and academic research. It is not a drug, dietary supplement, cosmetic, or medical product, and is not for human consumption, diagnosis, or treatment.

Researchers who buy AHK-Cu from Anglo Peptides receive a vial verified to ≥99% purity, batch-tested by Janoshik Labs, and shipped from within Canada. Choose the 50mg size above.