86 therapeutic peptides with research summaries, clinical findings, and regulatory status.
A synthetic 13-amino acid analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) with a substitution of norleucine at position 4 that confers enhanced potency and enzymatic stability. Afamelanotide activates melanocortin-1 receptors (MC1R) on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production independent of UV exposure. The resulting increase in skin eumelanin provides photoprotection by absorbing UV radiation and scavenging reactive oxygen species.