Investigational — Not FDA-Approved Authoritative Evidence Reference Preclinical research only (not FDA-approved)

AHK-Cu

Copper tripeptide (L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+) used in cosmetic hair products; one laboratory study on hair follicles (2007); no human trial.

Language: English العربية (Arabic) →
Drug Class Copper tripeptide; cosmetic ingredient.
FDA Regulatory Status Investigational — Not FDA-Approved
Clinical Stage Preclinical research only (not FDA-approved)
Evidence Verification Active Reference Standards
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60-Second Scientific Briefing

AHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) used as a cosmetic ingredient in hair products. The only PubMed-indexed study (2007) was laboratory work on human hair follicles and cells: it lengthened follicles and increased dermal papilla cell growth. Not approved by the US FDA or any other regulator; it is a research compound.

What is AHK-Cu?

Pharmacological Classification & Molecular Identity

AHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) used as a cosmetic ingredient in hair products. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

Verified Chemical & Regulatory Registry Identifiers

Documented Aliases & Research Codes:
Alanyl-histidyl-lysine copper Copper tripeptide-3

Mechanism of Action & Receptor Targets

Biological Pathway and Target Binding

Receptor Selectivity: In the laboratory it stimulated dermal papilla cells, which control hair-follicle growth, and shifted markers of cell death towards survival. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

Regulatory & FDA Approval Status

Legal and Regulatory Classifications
⚠️ STRICT REGULATORY NOTICE: UNAPPROVED INVESTIGATIONAL DRUG

Not approved by the US FDA or any other regulator; it is a research compound. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

AHK-Cu is not approved for commercial sale, prescription therapy, or compounded medication distribution. It exists strictly within authorized scientific and clinical research frameworks.

Human Evidence & Clinical Trials

Clinical Study Readouts and Evidence Syntheses

No human clinical trial has been published. Arch Pharm Res 2007: AHK-Cu stimulated the elongation of isolated human hair follicles and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells; it raised the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and lowered cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. No clinical study on hair loss has been published. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

Clinical Evidence

No human clinical trial has been published. Arch Pharm Res 2007: AHK-Cu stimulated the elongation of isolated human hair follicles and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells; it raised the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and lowered cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. No clinical study on hair loss has been published.

Safety Profile & Clinical Limitations

Documented Adverse Events and Known Uncertainties

There are no published human safety data for AHK-Cu. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

ℹ️ Active Research Safety Surveillance

Whether it improves hair growth in people, and its safety for any route other than cosmetic use, are unknown. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

Dose Approval Status

Commercial Dosing Status and Policy Directives
🛑 NO APPROVED COMMERCIAL DOSING REGIMEN

No dose is approved or established for humans, and no human dose-finding study has been published. [1] Arch Pharm Res, 2007 ↗

Under Egypt Peptides medical governance policies, no personal dosages, titration intervals, cycles, stacking recommendations, or self-injection instructions may be provided for unapproved investigational compounds. Clinical study protocols represent controlled experimental research parameters exclusively.

Storage & Handling Status: There is no approved product label, so no official storage instructions exist.

What is Known vs. What is Unknown

Evidence Comparison and Clinical Evidence Boundaries

✓ Confirmed Scientific Evidence

  • AHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) used as a cosmetic ingredient in hair products.
  • Targets & Selectivity: In the laboratory it stimulated dermal papilla cells, which control hair-follicle growth, and shifted markers of cell death towards survival.
  • No human clinical trial has been published. Arch Pharm Res 2007: AHK-Cu stimulated the elongation of isolated human hair follicles and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells; it raised the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and lowered cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. No clinical study on hair loss has been published.
  • Safety considerations: There are no published human safety data for AHK-Cu.

? Unknown / Under Ongoing Investigation

  • Whether it improves hair growth in people, and its safety for any route other than cosmetic use, are unknown.

Verified Questions & Answers

10 Verified scientific answers with permanent anchor keys
#1

What is AHK-Cu and how is it classified?

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Direct Answer

AHK-Cu is a copper-bound tripeptide (alanine-histidine-lysine) used as a cosmetic ingredient in hair products.

Authoritative Citations:
#2

What is the mechanism of action and receptor profile of AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

In the laboratory it stimulated dermal papilla cells, which control hair-follicle growth, and shifted markers of cell death towards survival.

Authoritative Citations:
#3

Is AHK-Cu approved by the US FDA or health authorities?

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Direct Answer

No. Not approved by the US FDA or any other regulator; it is a research compound.

Authoritative Citations:
#4

What human clinical evidence and trials exist for AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

No human clinical trial has been published. The only PubMed-indexed study (2007) was laboratory work on human hair follicles and cells: it lengthened follicles and increased dermal papilla cell growth.

No human clinical trial has been published. Arch Pharm Res 2007: AHK-Cu stimulated the elongation of isolated human hair follicles and the proliferation of cultured dermal papilla cells; it raised the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and lowered cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. No clinical study on hair loss has been published.

Authoritative Citations:
#5

What adverse effects and safety risks are documented for AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

There are no published human safety data for AHK-Cu.

Authoritative Citations:
#6

What are the critical unknown safety aspects and clinical limitations of AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

Whether it improves hair growth in people, and its safety for any route other than cosmetic use, are unknown.

Authoritative Citations:
#7

What is the approved dosing status for AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

No dose is approved or established for humans, and no human dose-finding study has been published.

Authoritative Citations:
#8

What are the storage and handling requirements for AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

There is no approved product label, so no official storage instructions exist.

#9

Is AHK-Cu prohibited in competitive sports by WADA?

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Direct Answer

It is not named individually on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List. Under section S0 (non-approved substances), any pharmacological substance without a current approval by a government health authority for human therapeutic use is prohibited at all times. Athletes should confirm with their national anti-doping organisation.

Authoritative Citations:
#10

What is Egypt Peptides' official medical policy regarding AHK-Cu?

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Direct Answer

Egypt Peptides publishes reviewed scientific reference monographs for documentation and research. The site does not give individual medical advice, preparation or injection instructions, combination protocols or off-label use instructions. Decisions about any medicine belong to the treating physician.

Authoritative Citations:

Authoritative Sources & Literature Registry

Regulatory dossiers, clinical trial registries, and published studies
Source [1] Tier 1 Regulatory / Academic

The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro ↗

Publisher / Registry: Arch Pharm Res Publication Date: 2007-07-01 PubMed PMID: 17703734
Verified Locator: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17703734/

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