Skip to main content
GHK-Cu Script

A precise, instrument-grade reading of the GHK-Cu copper-tripeptide literature — gene expression, collagen, and wound repair, indexed by the evidence.

ORIGINAL PAPERS · 20 REFERENCES

GHK-Cu Findings Need the Study Details Behind Them

A firmer face is a claim you can understand. These 20 papers let you check what was measured. Some tested people; others studied animals or cells, or reviewed earlier work.

Numbered Marks Point to the Study Being Discussed

A skin claim carries more weight when you can check the test. Marks such as [1] and [2] point to papers listed below. The study entries name authors, year, journal and the original paper. Those details let you see what was tested and what changed.

Some papers gathered earlier findings rather than test a new treatment. Many findings concerned animal tests or cells rather than patients. You can't assume that every cited paper is a human trial.

  1. Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Letters. 1988;238(2):343-346. ↗
  2. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(7):1987. ↗
  3. Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018;19(7):1987. [rodent collagen dressing and colon cancer cell line data cited from same publication] ↗
  4. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:648108. ↗
  5. Wang X, Liu B, Xu Q, Sun H, Shi M, Wang D, Guo M, Yu J, Zhao C, Feng B. GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Wound Repair and Regeneration. 2017;25(2):270-278. ↗
  6. Park J, Lee H, Kim SI, Yang SR. The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. Oncotarget. 2016;7(36):58405-58417. ↗
  7. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline. Brain Sciences. 2017;7(2):20. ↗
  8. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The Human Tripeptide GHK-Cu in Prevention of Oxidative Stress and Degenerative Conditions of Aging: Implications for Cognitive Health. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2012;2012:324832. ↗
  9. Zhang Q, Yan L, Lu J, Zhou X. Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ attenuates cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary emphysema and inflammation by reducing oxidative stress pathway. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences. 2022;9:925700. ↗
  10. Lee S, Lee SM, Lee SH, et al. In situ photo-crosslinkable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel embedded with GHK peptide nanofibers for bioactive wound healing. Acta Biomaterialia. 2023;172:159-174. ↗
  11. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Pickart FD, Majnarich J. GHK, the Human Skin Remodeling Peptide, Induces Anti-Cancer Expression of Numerous Caspase, Growth Regulatory, and DNA Repair Genes. Journal of Analytical Oncology. 2014;3(2):79-87. ↗
  12. Pickart L, Margolina A. Modulation of Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 and Prostate Cancer PC3 Cells by the Human Copper-Binding Peptide GHK-Cu. OBM Genetics. 2021;5(2). ↗
  13. Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:648108. [71-woman 12-week clinical outcome data cited from same publication] ↗
  14. Mortazavi SM, Mohammadi Vadoud SA, Moghimi HR. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective. BioImpacts. 2024. ↗
  15. Miller TR, Wagner JD, Baack BR, Eisbach KJ. Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex on CO2 laser-resurfaced skin. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2006;8(4):252-259. ↗
  16. Mao S, Huang J, Li J, Sun F, Zhang Q, Cheng Q, Zeng W, Lei D, Wang S, Yao J. Exploring the beneficial effects of GHK-Cu on an experimental model of colitis and the underlying mechanisms. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025. ↗
  17. He Q, Mazzola J, Ladiges W. The naturally occurring peptide GHK reverses age-related fibrosis by modulating myofibroblast function. Aging Pathobiology and Therapeutics. 2024;6(4):186-190. ↗
  18. Dou Y, Lee A, Zhu L, Morton J, Ladiges W. The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide. Aging Pathobiology and Therapeutics. 2020;2(1):58-61. ↗
  19. Ogorek K, Nowak K, Wadych E, Ruzik L, Timerbaev AR, Matczuk M. Are We Ready to Measure Skin Permeation of Modern Antiaging GHK-Cu Tripeptide Encapsulated in Liposomes? Molecules. 2025;30(1):136. ↗
  20. Adnan SB, Maarof M, Fauzi MB, Md Fadilah NI. Exploring the Role of Tripeptides in Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review. International Journal of Medical Sciences. 2025;22(16):4175-4200. ↗