Tripeptides in Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration
Various · Medical Science · 2025 · Review
Reviews 2016–2025 GHK-Cu evidence on fibroblast migration, collagen deposition and angiogenesis.
Copper-binding tripeptide
A naturally occurring copper tripeptide studied for skin and wound repair.
At a glance
Overview
Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine complexed with copper; present in human plasma and declining with age.
Extensively studied in skin regeneration and wound healing, and widely used cosmetically.
Mechanism
Modulates collagen/glycosaminoglycan turnover, attracts repair cells, and promotes angiogenesis and matrix remodelling.
Research
Various · Medical Science · 2025 · Review
Reviews 2016–2025 GHK-Cu evidence on fibroblast migration, collagen deposition and angiogenesis.
Trial registry · Clinical trial registry · 2026 · RCT
A randomised split-wound human trial testing whether GHK-Cu gel speeds standardised wound healing vs vehicle.
Various · Biomaterials Research · 2024 · Preclinical
A GHK-Cu-loaded natural hydrogel dressing with antioxidant/antibacterial wound-healing effects.
Ma WH, et al. · Life Sciences · 2020 · Preclinical
GHK-Cu reduced bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory pathways — a beyond-skin application.
Pickart L, Margolina A · PMC4508379 · — · Review
The canonical mechanistic review of GHK/GHK-Cu across skin-regeneration pathways.
Evidence summary
One of the best-evidenced peptides in skin and tissue research, with a broad, independently replicated body of work spanning collagen synthesis, wound healing and matrix remodelling, plus an excellent safety profile in clinical studies. A standout for both evidence and reliability.