What Is Melanotan-1? Melanocortin Peptide Research Guide
An overview of Melanotan-1 — an alpha-MSH analogue — covering the melanocortin pathway, its narrow approved medical use, and its research-use-only status in the UK.
7 min read · Published 2026-06-23
What Is Melanotan-1?
Melanotan-1 is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that acts as a melanocortin-1 receptor agonist. The closely related compound afamelanotide is an approved medicine for a specific condition (see below).
Research use only. This material is supplied for in-vitro laboratory research. It is not a medicine and is not for human or veterinary consumption, administration, or therapeutic use.
How Melanotan-1 Is Studied to Work
In research Melanotan-1 is associated with activation of the melanocortin-1 receptor and the eumelanin (pigment) pathway. The melanocortin system is studied in dermatology, photoprotection and related fields.
Approved Use & Regulatory Status
As afamelanotide (brand Scenesse), this molecule is approved in the EU and US for a rare photosensitivity disorder, erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), under specialist medical supervision. Research-grade 'Melanotan-1' is not that approved product and holds no UK marketing authorisation for general use; it is supplied for laboratory research only and is not for human use.
Research Handling & Quality
As a lyophilised (freeze-dried) peptide it is typically stored frozen and reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for in-vitro work — see our reconstitution guide and storage guide. Identity and purity should be verified against a batch-matched Certificate of Analysis (COA) with HPLC and mass-spectrometry data. View melanotan-1 product details and COA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melanotan-1 approved in the UK?
The related medicine afamelanotide (Scenesse) is approved for a rare condition under specialist supervision, but research-grade Melanotan-1 has no UK authorisation and is for laboratory use only.
What receptor does Melanotan-1 act on?
It is studied as a melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist within the melanocortin pigment pathway.
Can Melanotan-1 be used for tanning?
No. Research-grade Melanotan-1 is supplied for laboratory use only and is not for human consumption or cosmetic use.
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