Melanin Production Studies
Free Shipping on orders over $200
Scan the QR code on any vial to verify its batch, COA, and origin in seconds. Secure traceability from our lab to your bench.
Melanotan II is a melanocortin peptide researched for two effects in particular: stimulating the skin's natural tanning pigment (melanin) and activating sexual arousal pathways.
Cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin (α-MSH) analog
The pathways Melanotan II acts on — and what each one does. The animation traces its signal outward from the compound to every target it engages.
Melanotan II (MTII) activates MC1R on melanocytes, stimulating intracellular cAMP production that drives melanogenesis — the synthesis of eumelanin (brown-black) pigment. This mechanism has been extensively studied as a model for understanding UV-independent tanning and photoprotective pigmentation pathways.
MTII's high-affinity binding at MC4R in the hypothalamus modulates both appetite suppression and arousal-related signaling. MC4R knockout studies demonstrate these pathways are distinct. MTII's non-selective binding at MC3R and MC4R makes it a pharmacological tool for dissecting melanocortin circuit functions in energy balance research.
Unlike its derivative PT-141, Melanotan II is a non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist that activates MC1R through MC5R with varying affinities. This broad receptor activity makes it uniquely valuable as a pharmacological probe for studying the full melanocortin system in preclinical research, while also contributing to its broader side-effect profile.
The main areas Melanotan II is being studied for — and the study-reported figures behind them.
Extensive research into MC1R-driven melanin synthesis, including UV-independent tanning mechanisms and photoprotection models. Used as a pharmacological tool to dissect melanocyte signaling pathways and study disorders of pigmentation.
Dorr et al. 1996MTII is a key pharmacological tool in obesity and energy homeostasis research. MC4R activation reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure in rodent models; used extensively to validate the melanocortin hypothesis of body weight regulation.
Fan et al. 1997Preclinical research using MTII as a non-selective MC agonist probe contributed to the discovery of melanocortin-mediated arousal pathways, eventually leading to the development of PT-141 (bremelanotide) as a more selective MC4R-focused compound.
Wessells et al. 1998As a potent non-selective MC receptor agonist, MTII serves as a pharmacological tool for receptor binding studies, structure-activity relationship (SAR) research, and comparison of downstream signaling cascades across the five melanocortin receptor subtypes.
Sawyer et al. 1993An interactive 3D model rendered from the compound record — rotate and explore its structure.
C50H69N15O9
Every batch of Melanotan II is sent to an accredited independent laboratory before it ships. Here is what we screen for.
| Chemical Name | Melanotan II (MTII) |
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 1024.18 Da |
| Molecular Formula | C₅₀H₆₉N₁₅O₉ |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Testing | Third-party HPLC, Mass Spec, Endotoxin |
| Storage (Lyophilized) | -20°C for long-term stability |
| Storage (Reconstituted) | 2–8°C, use within 30 days |
| Solubility | Water or bacteriostatic water |
| COA | Included with every order |
Melanotan II (MTII) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide and superpotent analog of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It was originally developed at the University of Arizona as part of a research program to create synthetic melanocortins for tanning and photoprotection. MTII activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R through MC5R) with substantially higher potency than endogenous α-MSH, making it a pharmacological research tool for studying the melanocortin system.
PT-141 (bremelanotide) is actually derived from Melanotan II through chemical modification. The key difference is selectivity: Melanotan II is a non-selective agonist activating MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, and MC5R, producing broader physiological effects including melanogenesis. PT-141 was engineered for improved selectivity toward MC4R with reduced MC1R activity, eliminating the tanning effect while retaining central arousal pathway activity.
No. Melanotan II has not been approved by the FDA, EMA, or any regulatory authority for human use. It is classified as a research chemical with no approved indication. Regulatory agencies including the FDA and UK MHRA have issued warnings about unlicensed MTII products marketed for tanning. It is available here exclusively for legitimate in vitro research purposes.
The melanocortin system consists of five G protein-coupled receptors (MC1R–MC5R) that respond to endogenous ligands including α-MSH, β-MSH, γ-MSH, and ACTH. This system regulates diverse functions including pigmentation (MC1R), adrenal steroidogenesis (MC2R), energy balance (MC3R, MC4R), and exocrine secretion (MC5R). MTII's high potency and non-selectivity across all MC receptors makes it an ideal pharmacological probe for pan-melanocortin system research and structure-activity relationship studies.
Due to MTII's broad, non-selective receptor activity, researchers and regulatory agencies have raised concerns about potential effects on melanocytic nevi (moles) and theoretical melanoma risk through excessive MC1R stimulation. Early human pilot studies reported significant adverse events including nausea, yawning, and spontaneous erection from MC4R stimulation. No long-term safety data from controlled clinical trials exists. These considerations make careful research design essential when working with MTII.
Lyophilized MTII should be stored at -20°C and protected from light and moisture. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, store at 2–8°C and use within 30 days. The cyclic structure with D-phenylalanine substitution provides greater proteolytic stability than linear α-MSH, but reconstituted peptide should still be handled and stored carefully to preserve receptor binding activity in research assays.
Independent published research indexed from PubMed and peer-reviewed journals — not Eon Peptides claims.
Not for human or veterinary use. For in-vitro laboratory research only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA; this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Sold exclusively to qualified researchers and institutions.
