Research summary
Research HubMelanotan II (MT-2)
Clinical — 10 studies
Melanotan II is a cyclic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) studied for its activity across melanocortin receptors and its effects on pigmentation and neuroendocrine signaling.
Being studied for
- Melanocortin receptor signaling (MC1R, MC4R)
- Pigmentation and melanogenesis pathways
- Neuroendocrine and appetite-related signaling
Published Research
Evidence profile
Human Phase 1 evidence
10 cited publications · 1 primary trial
Findings below belong to the studies that reported them. They describe the material and conditions those authors used, not this product, and not an outcome to expect.
Core evidence
The publications most central to understanding this compound.
Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review
Habbema L et al. · International journal of dermatology · 2017
A review of the risks reported with unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues, drawing together the adverse events described in the published literature.
Context: A review of reported harms. It does not quantify how often they occur.
Supporting evidence
Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study
Dorr RT et al. · Life sciences · 1996
The study reportedThe recommended single MT-II dose for future Phase I studies is 0. 025 mg/kg/day.
Safety literature
Reports of adverse events and individual cases. A case report describes what happened to one person; it cannot establish cause, and it cannot establish how often anything occurs.
Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report
Peters B et al. · CEN case reports · 2020
A report of renal infarction following melanotan II use, alongside a review of previously published cases.
Context: Case-level evidence. Frequency cannot be inferred from it.
Melanotan-associated melanoma
Paurobally D et al. · The British journal of dermatology · 2011
A report of melanoma occurring in a person who had used melanotan.
Context: A single case report. It describes one occurrence and cannot establish that the compound caused it, nor any rate of risk.
Melanotan II nasal spray: a possible risk factor for oral mucosal malignant melanoma?
Yassin Alsabbagh A et al. · International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery · 2025
The study reportedThe clinical presentation and initial management of the patient, along with a literature review on the potential association between Melanotan use and the development of malignant melanoma, is provided. This report highlights the need for awareness of the possible serious side effects associated with Melanotan II nasal spray.
Additional indexed literature (5)
- Clinical · Mechanistic studyMelanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums
Gilhooley E et al. · Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) · 2021 · PMID 34464955
- Observational · Mechanistic studyA glimpse into the underground market of melanotan
Callaghan Iii DJ · Dermatology online journal · 2018 · PMID 30142729
- Preclinical · Mechanistic study5-Hydroxypyrroloindoline Affords Tryptathionine and 2,2'-bis-Indole Peptide Staples: Application to Melanotan-II
Todorovic M et al. · Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) · 2024 · PMID 38285527
- Preclinical · Mechanistic studyMelanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food
Eliason NL et al. · Neuropeptides · 2022 · PMID 36155088
- Preclinical · Mechanistic studyMelanotan II, a melanocortin agonist, partially rescues the impaired thermogenic capacity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide deficient mice
McMillan TR et al. · Experimental physiology · 2021 · PMID 33332767
Published studies summarised here concern the specific investigational or pharmaceutical materials and study conditions described by their authors. Their findings are not performance claims for Cobalt Peptides material. Citations verified against PubMed on 2026-08-09.
Melanotan II is an experimental melanocortin analogue studied in pigmentation and neuroendocrine research. It is not approved for medical or cosmetic use and is presented solely for scientific research purposes.
Notice
All information on this page is provided strictly for laboratory research and educational purposes only.