Pair page
AHK-Cu with Pal-GHK
Mechanism-tag overlap and published literature for AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK, pulled verbatim from each Kalios compound profile. Kalios is a literature reference, not a recommendation.
Mechanism overlap
Mechanism tags are verbatim labels on each compound's profile. Generic tags ("peptide", "small-molecule", "research-chemical") are excluded from this overlap view. Tags are descriptive — not an inference about combined effect.
AHK-Cu unique
copper-tripeptidehair
Shared
cosmetic-peptide
Pal-GHK unique
palmitoylated-copper-peptide-analog
Quick facts
AHK-Cu
RouteTopical scalp
Half-lifeNot listed
FDA statusCosmetic ingredient
WADANot listed (N/A topical)
Pal-GHK
RouteTopical only
Half-lifeNot listed
FDA statusCosmetic ingredient
WADAN/A (topical cosmetic)
Literature table
Classified references from each compound profile. Click a column header to sort. Click a PMID to open PubMed. Findings are quoted verbatim from each profile's literature_summary; nothing here is added or interpreted.
| Year | Compound | Source | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | AHK-Cu | Dhurat R, Sukesh M, Avhad G, Dandale A, Pal A, Pund P. A Randomized Evaluator Blinded Study of Effect of Microneedling in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study. Int J Trichology. 2013;5(1):6-11. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114700. PMID: 23960389. (Microneedling + minoxidil RCT — the pr… PMID 23960389 | human trial |
| 1998 | AHK-Cu | Lachgar S, Charveron M, Gall Y, Bonafe JL. Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human hair dermal papilla cells. Br J Dermatol. 1998;138(3):407-411. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.1998.02115.x. PMID: 9580790. (Clinically validated positive-contr… PMID 9580790 | human study |
| 2001 | AHK-Cu | Yano K, Brown LF, Detmar M. Control of hair growth and follicle size by VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. J Clin Invest. 2001;107(4):409-417. doi:10.1172/JCI11317. PMID: 11181640. (Transgenic VEGF overexpression increases perifollicular vascularization, accelerates hair regrowth, and… PMID 11181640 | preclinical, in vivo |
| 2007 | AHK-Cu | Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, Lee SH, Kang YJ, Eun HC, Cho KH, Kim KH. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. doi:10.1007/BF02978833. PMID: 17703734. (The foundational AHK-Cu in-vitro / ex-vivo paper — dermal papilla… PMID 17703734 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 1988 | AHK-Cu | 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:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x. PMID: 3169264. (Found… PMID 3169264 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2018 | AHK-Cu | 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. doi:10.3390/ijms19071987. PMID: 29986520. (Comprehensive review of copper-peptide gene-expression effects — scaffold for AHK-Cu me… PMID 29986520 | review |
| 2008 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L. The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19(8):969-988. doi:10.1163/156856208784909435. PMID: 18644225. (Authoritative Pickart review of the copper-peptide tissue-remodeling framework.) PMID 18644225 | review |
| 2015 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. doi:10.1155/2015/648108. PMID: 26236730. (Multi-pathway copper-peptide mechanism review — foundational context for… PMID 26236730 | research article |
| 2012 | AHK-Cu | Li W, Man XY, Li CM, Chen JQ, Zhou J, Cai SQ, Lu ZF, Zheng M. VEGF induces proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells through VEGFR-2-mediated activation of ERK. Exp Cell Res. 2012;318(14):1633-1640. doi:10.1016/j.yexcr.2012.05.003. PMID: 22659165. (Downstream VEG… PMID 22659165 | research article |
| 2012 | AHK-Cu | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:324832. doi:10.1155/2012/324832. PMID: 22666519. (Copper-peptide agi… PMID 22666519 | research article |
| 2000 | AHK-Cu | Siméon A, Wegrowski Y, Bontemps Y, Maquart FX. Expression of glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(2+). J Invest Dermatol. 2000;115(6):962-968. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.2000.00166.x. PMID: 1… PMID 11121126 | research article |
| 1999 | AHK-Cu | Simeon A, Monier F, Emonard H, Gillery P, Birembaut P, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX. Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(2+). J Invest Dermatol. 1999;112(6):957-964. doi:10.1046/j.… PMID 10383745 | research article |
| 2005 | Pal-GHK | Robinson LR, Fitzgerald NC, Doughty DG, Dawes NC, Berge CA, Bissett DL. Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2005;27(3):155-160. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00261.x. PMID: 18492182. (Found… PMID 18492182 | human trial |
| 1998 | Pal-GHK | Abdulghani AA, Sherr A, Shirin S, Solodkina G, Tapia EM, Wolf B, Gottlieb AB. Effects of topical creams containing vitamin C, a copper-binding peptide cream, and melatonin compared with tretinoin on the ultrastructure of normal skin: a pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastruct… | human pilot |
| 1988 | Pal-GHK | 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 Letters. 1988;238(2):343-346. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x. PMID: 3138181. (Th… PMID 3138181 | preclinical, in vitro |
| 2017 | Pal-GHK | Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline. Brain Sciences. 2017;7(2):20. doi:10.3390/brainsci7020020. PMID: 28241430. (Extension of GHK transcriptomic effects; rele… PMID 28241430 | mechanism / discovery |
| 2018 | Pal-GHK | Pickart L, Margolina A. Skin Regenerative and Anti-Cancer Actions of Copper Peptides. Cosmetics. 2018;5(2):29. doi:10.3390/cosmetics5020029. (Contemporary MDPI Cosmetics review of copper-peptide skin biology applicable to the Pal-GHK-in-situ-GHK-Cu formation hypothesis.) | review |
| 2005 | Pal-GHK | Finkley MB, Appa Y, Bhandarkar S. Copper peptide and skin. Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics: Drugs vs. Cosmetics. Marcel Dekker, New York; 2005:549–563. (Classical cosmetic-dermatology chapter summarizing GHK-Cu-containing facial cream clinical data — the cream data most ofte… | review |
| 2003 | Pal-GHK | Sederma (Croda International). Matrixyl 3000 technical dossier and product information sheets. Sederma, Le Perray-en-Yvelines, France. 2003–2024. (Manufacturer's technical documentation for the Pal-GHK + Pal-GQPR combination active — the primary source for recommended use levels… | industry documentation |
| 2002 | Pal-GHK | Mas-Chamberlin C, Lintner K, Basset L, Adhoute H, Revuz J. Relevance of antiwrinkle treatment of a peptide: 4 months clinical double blind study vs excipient. Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie. 2002;129(1S):456. Proceedings, 20th World Congress of Dermatology, Paris. (E… | industry documentation |
| 2000 | Pal-GHK | Lintner K, Peschard O. Biologically active peptides: from a laboratory bench curiosity to a functional skin care product. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2000;22(3):207-218. doi:10.1046/j.1467-2494.2000.00010.x. (Sederma researcher review of the palmitoyl-peptide lipi… | industry documentation |
| 2014 | Pal-GHK | Ricard-Blum S, Salza R. Matricryptins and matrikines: biologically active fragments of the extracellular matrix. Experimental Dermatology. 2014;23(7):457-463. doi:10.1111/exd.12435. PMID: 24815015. (Modern framework paper defining the matrikine / matricryptin class to which GHK… PMID 24815015 | research article |
| 2012 | Pal-GHK | Gruchlik A, Jurzak M, Chodurek E, Dzierzewicz Z. Effect of Gly-Gly-His, Gly-His-Lys and their copper complexes on TNF-alpha-dependent IL-6 secretion in normal human dermal fibroblasts. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica. 2012;69(6):1303-1306. PMID: 23285694. (Direct anti-inflammatory c… PMID 23285694 | research article |
Related pair pages
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Frequently asked
Have AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK been studied together?
No co-administration studies between AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK are catalogued on Kalios. The pair page lists only the individual published literature for each compound and any shared mechanism tags.
What mechanisms do AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK share?
AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK share these mechanism tags on their Kalios profiles: cosmetic-peptide. Tags are descriptive and verbatim from each compound profile — not an inference of combined effect.
What is the FDA status of AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK?
AHK-Cu: Cosmetic ingredient. Pal-GHK: Cosmetic ingredient. FDA-status text is pulled verbatim from each compound profile. See /fda-pcac-2026.html for the broader FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee context.
Where can I find the full research on AHK-Cu and Pal-GHK?
Full citation lists, dosing tables from the literature, reconstitution data, and the FDA / WADA status are on the individual compound profiles: the AHK-Cu profile and the Pal-GHK profile. The Kalios Stack Research Tool hub lists every compound covered.
Last updated: April 2026