Melanotan-1: Dosage, Benefits & Research Guide
What is Melanotan-1?
Melanotan 1, also designated Afamelanotide, is a linear synthetic tridecapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) with the substitution of Nle at position 4 and D-Phe at position 7, conferring enhanced receptor binding affinity and metabolic stability. Melanotan 1 selectively activates melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), the primary receptor responsible for melanogenesis in epidermal melanocytes. MC1R activation triggers adenylyl cyclase-mediated cAMP elevation, which upregulates microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and downstream eumelanin synthesis enzymes. Research published in the British Journal of Dermatology by Barnetson et al. (2006) demonstrated that Afamelanotide produced significant increases in melanin density without UV exposure in fair-skinned individuals, conferring a measurable photoprotective effect. Harms et al. in Photochemistry and Photobiology showed that Melanotan 1-induced eumelanin production provided DNA damage protection equivalent to moderate constitutive pigmentation. Studies in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) patients published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Langendonk et al., 2015) demonstrated that Afamelanotide significantly increased pain-free time in sunlight. Compared to Melanotan 2, which is a cyclic heptapeptide acting non-selectively across MC1R through MC5R, Melanotan 1 is more selective for MC1R and therefore produces fewer off-target effects. Melanotan 2 additionally activates MC4R (associated with appetite and arousal), while Melanotan 1's selectivity makes it more suitable for focused pigmentation research. Store lyophilized Melanotan 1 at -20°C, protected from light. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water and store at 2-8°C, using within 4 weeks. This peptide is studied by dermatologists, photobiologists, and researchers investigating melanocortin receptor pharmacology and photoprotective strategies.
Melanotan-1 Research Applications
In published and preclinical research, Melanotan-1 has been studied across the following areas:
- Melanocortin receptor activation studies
- Eumelanin production research
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic studies
- UV radiation protection research
Melanotan-1 in Research: Reconstitution & Study Concentrations
Melanotan-1 is supplied as a lyophilized powder. For laboratory research it is reconstituted with bacteriostatic or sterile water; the solvent volume sets the working concentration. Published studies select concentrations specific to the assay or model system — there is no human dose, as Melanotan-1 is not approved for human use. Researchers should reference the primary literature for the model in question and document the exact lot COA.
Worked example: a 10mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL of bacteriostatic water yields 5.00 mg/mL.
Open the reconstitution calculator