KPV (Lys-Pro-Val)
C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH (lysine-proline-valine) with anti-inflammatory activity in animal colitis models; no human trial; FDA: no human exposure data.
60-Second Scientific Briefing
KPV is a tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine), the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), studied for anti-inflammatory effects in the gut. Evidence comes from experimental-animal models of colitis, starting in 2008, and from drug-delivery studies such as oral nanoparticles. Not approved by the US FDA or any other regulator; it is a research compound.
What is KPV (Lys-Pro-Val)?
Pharmacological Classification & Molecular IdentityKPV is a tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine), the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), studied for anti-inflammatory effects in the gut. [1] Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008 ↗
Verified Chemical & Regulatory Registry Identifiers
Mechanism of Action & Receptor Targets
Biological Pathway and Target BindingReceptor Selectivity: In laboratory and animal studies it reduces inflammatory signalling in intestinal cells, which it enters through the peptide transporter PepT1. [1] Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008 ↗
Regulatory & FDA Approval Status
Legal and Regulatory ClassificationsNot approved by the US FDA or any other regulator; it is a research compound. [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 ↗
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) 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 SynthesesNo human clinical trial has been published. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008: in experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease, KPV reduced colitis severity and inflammation. Mol Ther 2017: oral KPV in hyaluronic-acid nanoparticles alleviated experimental ulcerative colitis. Several later studies tested hydrogels and other delivery systems in animals. [1] Mol Ther, 2017 ↗ [2] Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008 ↗
Clinical Evidence
No human clinical trial has been published. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008: in experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease, KPV reduced colitis severity and inflammation. Mol Ther 2017: oral KPV in hyaluronic-acid nanoparticles alleviated experimental ulcerative colitis. Several later studies tested hydrogels and other delivery systems in animals.
Safety Profile & Clinical Limitations
Documented Adverse Events and Known UncertaintiesThere are no human safety data. The FDA states that there are no human exposure data for KPV and its safety issues are unknown. [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 ↗
Effects and safety in people, the right route of delivery and the quality of non-pharmaceutical material are unknown. [1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026 ↗ [2] Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008 ↗
Dose Approval Status
Commercial Dosing Status and Policy DirectivesNo dose is approved or established for humans, and no human dose-finding study has been published. [1] Mol Ther, 2017 ↗
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.
What is Known vs. What is Unknown
Evidence Comparison and Clinical Evidence Boundaries✓ Confirmed Scientific Evidence
- KPV is a tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine), the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), studied for anti-inflammatory effects in the gut.
- Targets & Selectivity: In laboratory and animal studies it reduces inflammatory signalling in intestinal cells, which it enters through the peptide transporter PepT1.
- No human clinical trial has been published. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008: in experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease, KPV reduced colitis severity and inflammation. Mol Ther 2017: oral KPV in hyaluronic-acid nanoparticles alleviated experimental ulcerative colitis. Several later studies tested hydrogels and other delivery systems in animals.
- Safety considerations: There are no human safety data. The FDA states that there are no human exposure data for KPV and its safety issues are unknown.
? Unknown / Under Ongoing Investigation
- Effects and safety in people, the right route of delivery and the quality of non-pharmaceutical material are unknown.
Verified Questions & Answers
10 Verified scientific answers with permanent anchor keysKPV is a tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine), the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), studied for anti-inflammatory effects in the gut.
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008-03-01)
In laboratory and animal studies it reduces inflammatory signalling in intestinal cells, which it enters through the peptide transporter PepT1.
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008-03-01)
No. Not approved by the US FDA or any other regulator; it is a research compound.
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-04-22)
No human clinical trial has been published. Evidence comes from experimental-animal models of colitis, starting in 2008, and from drug-delivery studies such as oral nanoparticles.
No human clinical trial has been published. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008: in experimental models of inflammatory bowel disease, KPV reduced colitis severity and inflammation. Mol Ther 2017: oral KPV in hyaluronic-acid nanoparticles alleviated experimental ulcerative colitis. Several later studies tested hydrogels and other delivery systems in animals.
- Orally targeted delivery of tripeptide KPV via hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles efficiently alleviates ulcerative colitis (Mol Ther, 2017-07-05)
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008-03-01)
There are no human safety data. The FDA states that there are no human exposure data for KPV and its safety issues are unknown.
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-04-22)
Effects and safety in people, the right route of delivery and the quality of non-pharmaceutical material are unknown.
- Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026-04-22)
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008-03-01)
No dose is approved or established for humans, and no human dose-finding study has been published.
There is no approved product label, so no official storage instructions exist.
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.
- WADA Prohibited List (World Anti-Doping Agency)
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.
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflamm Bowel Dis, 2008-03-01)
Authoritative Sources & Literature Registry
Regulatory dossiers, clinical trial registries, and published studiesCertain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks ↗
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/certain-bulk-drug-substances-use-compounding-may-present-significant-safety-risks
Orally targeted delivery of tripeptide KPV via hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles efficiently alleviates ulcerative colitis ↗
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28143741/
Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease ↗
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18092346/