RFK JR. ANNOUNCEMENT · FEB 27 2026 · 14 PEPTIDES RETURN TO CATEGORY 1DATABASE UPDATED · 847 NEW PUBMED CITATIONS THIS WEEKRETATRUTIDE · GRADE B EVIDENCE · 4 NEW CLINICAL TRIALSCOA SCANS · 2,341 BATCHES VERIFIED BY COMMUNITY THIS MONTHFDA ENFORCEMENT · PEPTIDE SCIENCES SHUTDOWN · MAR 2026GLP-1 DIRECTORY · 47 VERIFIED TELEHEALTH CLINICSRFK JR. ANNOUNCEMENT · FEB 27 2026 · 14 PEPTIDES RETURN TO CATEGORY 1DATABASE UPDATED · 847 NEW PUBMED CITATIONS THIS WEEKRETATRUTIDE · GRADE B EVIDENCE · 4 NEW CLINICAL TRIALSCOA SCANS · 2,341 BATCHES VERIFIED BY COMMUNITY THIS MONTHFDA ENFORCEMENT · PEPTIDE SCIENCES SHUTDOWN · MAR 2026GLP-1 DIRECTORY · 47 VERIFIED TELEHEALTH CLINICS
Healing

KPV

Also known as: Alpha-MSH Fragment · Lys-Pro-Val

Anti-inflammatory tripeptide derived from alpha-MSH, studied for gut and skin conditions.

C
Grade C
Animal studies only
Human studies22
PubMed citations30
Typical dose200 mcg – 500 mcg
Routeoral, sublingual, topical, subcutaneous
Regulatory (US)Compounding legal
Last verifiedyesterday
TL;DR · 30-second summary
  • Potent anti-inflammatory (NF-kB inhibition)
  • No melanocortin receptor activation
  • Gut barrier protection in animal models
  • Potential for IBD and skin conditions

Mechanism of action

C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Potent anti-inflammatory without melanocortin receptor binding. Inhibits NF-kB and inflammatory cytokines.

Evidence summary

22
Human studies
30
PubMed citations
0
Clinical trials
C
Evidence grade

Extensive preclinical data showing anti-inflammatory effects. Popular for IBD and skin conditions despite lack of human trials.

Dosing protocols

Educational information only. Consult a licensed provider before using any peptide.
Dose range
200 mcg – 500 mcg

Oral/sublingual: 200-500mcg daily. Can also be used topically for skin. BPC-157 often combined.

Administration routes
oralsublingualtopicalsubcutaneous

Side effects & safety

Reported side effects
Generally well toleratedLimited safety data
Contraindications
  • Unknown - insufficient human data

Interactions

No documented drug interactions on file.

Regulatory status

United States
Not FDA approved

Not FDA approved. Research peptide.

Compounding
Permitted

Available through compounding pharmacies with valid prescription.

Regulatory data last verified 4/17/2026

Citations

PMID 40935835Zeng K, Zhu Y et al. · NLRP3 autophagic degradation disruption in melanocytes contributes to vitiligo development.Cell death and differentiation (2026)HumanPMID 37859689Marotti V, Xu Y et al. · A nanoparticle platform for combined mucosal healing and immunomodulation in inflammatory bowel disease treatment.Bioactive materials (2025)HumanPMID 27458604Viennois E, Ingersoll SA et al. · Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of the anti-inflammatory PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV in a murine model.Cellular and molecular gastroenterology and hepatology (2025)HumanPMID 41209547Adnan SB, Maarof M et al. · Exploring the Role of Tripeptides in Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review.International journal of medical sciences (2025)HumanPMID 40073467Sung J, Ju SY et al. · Lysine-Proline-Valine peptide mitigates fine dust-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.Tissue & cell (2025)HumanPMID 39252648Zhang L, Li D et al. · KPV and RAPA Self-Assembled into Carrier-Free Nanodrugs for Vascular Calcification Therapy.Advanced healthcare materials (2024)HumanPMID 34662120Sun MC, Xu XL et al. · Biomimetic Melanosomes Promote Orientation-Selective Delivery and Melanocyte Pigmentation in the H2O2-Induced Vitiligo Mouse Model.ACS nano (2022)PMID 34846053Shao W, Chen R et al. · In situ mucoadhesive hydrogel capturing tripeptide KPV: the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and repairing effect on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.Biomaterials science (2021)HumanPMID 34547895Sun J, Xue P et al. · Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats.ACS biomaterials science & engineering (2021)PMID 28143741Xiao B, Xu Z et al. · Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis.Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy (2018)HumanPMID 28343991Pawar K, Kolli CS et al. · Transdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV) Peptide Across Microporated Human Skin.Journal of pharmaceutical sciences (2018)HumanPMID 28349696Zeng M, Shao A et al. · Peptide Receptor-Targeted Fluorescent Probe: Visualization and Discrimination between Chronic and Acute Ulcerative Colitis.ACS applied materials & interfaces (2018)HumanPMID 29953505Songok AC, Panta P et al. · Structural modification of the tripeptide KPV by reductive "glycoalkylation" of the lysine residue.PloS one (2018)HumanPMID 25298219Pawar KR, Mulabagal V et al. · Stability-indicating HPLC assay for lysine-proline-valine (KPV) in aqueous solutions and skin homogenates.Biomedical chromatography : BMC (2016)HumanPMID 21222263Brzoska T, Böhm M et al. · Terminal signal: anti-inflammatory effects of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone related peptides beyond the pharmacophore.Advances in experimental medicine and biology (2012)HumanPMID 18092346Kannengiesser K, Maaser C et al. · Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease.Inflammatory bowel diseases (2008)PMID 17934097Luger TA, Brzoska T · alpha-MSH related peptides: a new class of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs.Annals of the rheumatic diseases (2007)HumanPMID 16965771Bonfiglio V, Camillieri G et al. · Effects of the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11-13) on corneal epithelial wound healing: role of nitric oxide.Experimental eye research (2007)PMID 17313459Carotenuto A, Saviello MR et al. · Structure-function relationships and conformational properties of alpha-MSH(6-13) analogues with candidacidal activity.Chemical biology & drug design (2007)PMID 16413580Gatti S, Carlin A et al. · Inhibitory effects of the peptide (CKPV)2 on endotoxin-induced host reactions.The Journal of surgical research (2006)Human

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