KPV: Lysine-Proline-Valine â Anti-Inflammatory Tripeptide
C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH. Anti-inflammatory in gut and skin models; no regulatory approval as a medicine.
đ„đ Human + animal
- Full name
- Lys-Pro-Val (KPV)
- Class
- α-MSH C-terminal tripeptide
- Half-life
- Short (minutes)
- Route
- Oral, topical, rectal in research
- Developer
- Academic
- Regulatory status
- No approval; sold as research chemical
What it is
KPV is the three-residue C-terminal fragment of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Unlike the full hormone, KPV does not activate melanocortin receptors productively but retains strong anti-inflammatory activity in multiple pre-clinical models, particularly gut inflammation.
How it works
KPV appears to act intracellularly after uptake, interfering with NF-ÎșB signalling, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6), and dampening neutrophil infiltration. Some data suggest action via peptide-transporter PepT1.
Unlike α-MSH or setmelanotide, KPV does not cause pigmentation effects â it lacks MC receptor agonism yet preserves the anti-inflammatory arm of MSH biology.
What the research shows
Pre-clinical data in colitis, skin inflammation and ocular inflammation; no large human trials.
Dalmasso G. et al. (2008) â DSS colitis mice, oral KPV
Dalmasso G. et al., Gastroenterology 2008;134:166â178. đ Animal
Oral KPV reduced histologic and biochemical markers of colitis in mice.
Effect depended on PepT1 â KPV was absorbed via the enterocyte peptide transporter and acted intracellularly.
Limitations: Rodent colitis model; no human clinical outcome.
Cheng K. et al. (2018) â topical KPV for atopic dermatitis in mice
Cheng K. et al., J Invest Dermatol 2018;138:1260â1269 (representative topical study). đ Animal
Topical KPV reduced cytokine expression and scratching behaviour in dermatitis models.
Effects were local â no systemic MSH-like effects.
Limitations: Animal models only.
Safety and limitations
Pre-clinical safety is favourable â no significant toxicity in rodent studies at therapeutic doses. Human safety data are lacking; oral bioavailability is plausible given PepT1 transport but not systematically studied.
KPV sold via research-chemical channels is unregulated. Claims of efficacy for general inflammation, gut health or wound healing in humans are not supported by controlled trials.