KPV
Anti-inflammatory tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH.
What it is
The C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (lysine-proline-valine).
What it does
Studied for anti-inflammatory activity, particularly in gut and skin models, without the pigmentation effects of full alpha-MSH.
Does it work?
Preclinical anti-inflammatory data is reasonably consistent. Human trial evidence is limited, and most use is extrapolated from laboratory and animal models.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Reduces inflammation in gut and skin models | animal data only |
| Treats inflammatory bowel disease in humans | weak evidence |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
25 publications indexed, 0 registered interventional studies, no randomised controlled trials indexed. Evidence is minimal.
query: "KPV tripeptide" · checked 2026-08-07
Most-cited literature
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Recent advances in protein and Peptide drug delivery: a special emphasis on polymeric nanoparticles
Patel A, Patel M, Yang X, Mitra AK. · Protein Pept Lett 2014 · 119 citations
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A PepT1 mediated medicinal nano-system for targeted delivery of cyclosporine A to alleviate acute severe ulcerative colitis
Wu Y, Sun M, Wang D, Li G, Huang J, Tan S, Bao L, Li Q, Li G, Si L. · Biomater Sci 2019 · 41 citations
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The Melanocortin System in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Insights into Its Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials
Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Durante T, Palladino G, Imperio G, D'Amico G · Cells 2023 · 31 citations
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Transporter-Targeted Nano-Sized Vehicles for Enhanced and Site-Specific Drug Delivery
Kou L, Yao Q, Zhang H, Chu M, Bhutia YD, Chen R, Ganapathy V. · Cancers (Basel) 2020 · 29 citations
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
WADA — Prohibited List 2026
Prohibited in sport — WADA S0 (substance without any health-authority approval)
US FDA — 503A compounding 2026-07
Advisory committee (PCAC) voted 8–6 in July 2026 to recommend inclusion on the 503A compounding list — non-binding, and against the written recommendation of FDA staff. Rulemaking pending; this is not an approval, and the earliest legally compounded product is estimated at late 2027.
Common questions
Where does KPV come from?
It is the last three amino acids of alpha-MSH — the fragment that carries anti-inflammatory activity without the pigmentation effects.
Will it tan my skin like melanotan?
No. The pigmentation activity of alpha-MSH sits elsewhere in the molecule; KPV was studied precisely because it lacks it.
What is the strongest use case in research?
Gut inflammation models — colitis in particular — where oral and local delivery showed consistent preclinical effects. Human trials have not followed yet.
Did the FDA just approve KPV?
No. In July 2026 an FDA advisory committee voted 8–6 to recommend adding it to the 503A compounding list — a non-binding recommendation made against FDA staff advice. Approval status is unchanged, and rulemaking could run into late 2027.
Related compounds
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GLOW plus KPV. Same caveat: a vendor formulation, not a studied entity.
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