If you have been reading about prohibited list and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Updated 2026-05-12. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
Melanotan-2 appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list within the peptide hormone class, and several national regulators treat it as an unapproved prescription substance. Some countries restrict importation or sale for personal use. Because the compound is widely traded as a research chemical, the practical legal picture differs between jurisdictions and shifts over time. Human safety data covering long periods are limited, and whether repeated pigmentation changes carry any lasting risk to melanocytes remains an open question.
Freeze-dried melanotan-2 is normally kept as a desiccated powder at minus twenty degrees Celsius or lower, shielded from light and moisture. Peptides of this size degrade through hydrolysis, oxidation and deamidation, and each pathway accelerates as temperature and water activity rise. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles promote aggregation and loss of material, so aliquoting a stock solution before freezing is standard laboratory practice. Once dissolved, the solution is markedly less stable than the powder. In laboratory work, solutions are generally refrigerated and used within days rather than kept for months.
Identity and purity are usually assessed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, which separates the target peptide from truncated or oxidised impurities. Mass spectrometry, most often coupled to liquid chromatography, confirms molecular mass and detects substitutions that chromatography alone may miss. Amino acid analysis and peptide mapping supply additional structural evidence, while nuclear magnetic resonance is reserved for full structural confirmation. Laboratories that examine samples sold online report wide variation in actual content, with some vials containing little or none of the labelled material.
Published pharmacokinetic information is limited and comes mainly from small studies rather than registrational trials. Plasma half-life is usually described as short, on the order of tens of minutes, followed by rapid tissue distribution and clearance of the intact peptide. Metabolites and low concentrations of parent compound have been reported in urine, a detail relevant to anti-doping and forensic testing. Whether repeated exposure changes receptor sensitivity or clearance over time remains an open question. Values differ noticeably between analytical assays, so published numbers should be read as approximate rather than definitive.
Melanotan II is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide with the sequence Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, corresponding to a molecular formula of C50H69N15O9 and a monoisotopic mass near 1024 daltons. It was designed as a structural analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a peptide hormone produced by cleavage of proopiomelanocortin. A lactam bridge between the aspartate and lysine side chains closes the ring, and the C-terminal amide removes a free carboxyl group. Both modifications increase resistance to enzymatic degradation compared with the linear parent hormone. Four substitutions distinguish it from afamelanotide, the linear analogue studied under the name melanotan I.
Receptor-binding studies classify melanotan II as a non-selective melanocortin agonist. It interacts with MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R, with reported affinities in the low nanomolar range and no strong subtype preference. Activation of MC1R on dermal melanocytes shifts pigment synthesis toward eumelanin, the dark polymer deposited in melanosomes and transferred to keratinocytes. Because the same peptide engages MC4R in the hypothalamus, it also appears in animal work on food intake and erectile response, which is why it is discussed in both pigment and metabolic research. Which receptor populations dominate after systemic exposure in humans is not fully established.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Typical storage temperature | -20 °C or below | For the lyophilised powder, desiccated |
| Storage form | Sealed vial, protected from light | Amber glass or foil-wrapped containers |
| Reconstituted stability | Short, refrigerate | Degradation accelerates in solution |
| Typical analytical method | Reversed-phase HPLC with mass spectrometry | Purity assessment plus identity confirmation |
| Common synonyms | Melanotan II, MT-II | Also written melanotan-2 |
Regulatory treatment varies by country. In the United States the peptide is not approved as a medicine, and products offered for human use may be treated as unapproved new drugs; some states also restrict sale. Australia, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states apply comparable restrictions to unapproved peptide products. Border agencies have seized shipments labelled as research chemicals. Classification may change over time, and the legal position for personal importation is not clearly settled in most published guidance.
Lyophilised melanotan-2 is supplied as a solid, which is more stable than a solution. The material is hygroscopic, so weighing is done quickly, in low humidity, with the container kept sealed. Reconstitution usually uses water for injection or bacteriostatic water, added down the wall of the vial to limit foaming. A reconstituted solution is held at 2 to 8 °C and kept away from light. Repeated freezing and thawing of the same vial is avoided because ice crystal formation and concentration effects degrade the peptide.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is the routine method for purity assessment. Peptides absorb near 214 nm because of the peptide bond, and a gradient of acetonitrile in water separates the intact peptide from deletion sequences, oxidised products, and earlier-eluting fragments at neutral pH. Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry provides an orthogonal check: the measured mass must agree with the theoretical value. Amino acid analysis and peptide mapping confirm structure but are used less often. Reference standards remain scarce because the peptide is not described in any pharmacopoeia.
Structurally, Melanotan-2 retains the core recognition motif of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone while adding a lactam bridge that links two side chains and constrains the molecule into a ring. This modification lowers susceptibility to enzymatic degradation. The compound acts as an agonist at melanocortin receptors, particularly subtypes associated with melanin production. Because the same receptor family influences several physiological processes, researchers note that its activity is not confined to pigmentation alone. Receptor selectivity continues to be examined in published studies.
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide designed as an analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a naturally occurring peptide involved in pigmentation signalling. Its sequence incorporates modified residues that increase potency and extend biological activity relative to the native hormone. The compound binds receptors of the melanocortin family and is examined mainly in laboratory research. It does not occur naturally and exists only as a manufactured chemical entity produced by solid-phase synthesis.
The peptide was developed during the 1980s by researchers investigating melanocortin signalling and skin pigmentation pathways. Early work focused on analogues of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone that would resist enzymatic breakdown more effectively than the parent molecule. Melanotan-2 emerged from that programme as a shortened, cyclised variant. Reports describing its synthesis and receptor activity later appeared in the scientific literature. Commercial availability grew through unregulated channels rather than through pharmaceutical approval.
Published research on the compound remains limited. Much of the human data comes from small, early-stage studies rather than large controlled trials, and several questions about effects and variability between individuals remain open. Investigators have examined receptor activity, pigment pathways, and related physiological responses in laboratory and animal models. Findings from those models do not automatically translate to human outcomes. Reviews frequently note the scarcity of rigorous clinical evidence and call for better-characterized study material.
Because the substance circulates mainly through informal markets, verification is a recurring theme in technical discussion. Independent analyses have found that labeled content and actual content can diverge, and that purity varies between samples. Analytical laboratories use reversed-phase chromatography to separate components and mass spectrometry to confirm identity. Isotope-labeled internal standards improve quantification in complex matrices. Such methods describe what a sample contains but say nothing about its sterility, lawful status, or suitability for any use. Open questions remain about how consistently testing is applied across the supply chain.
Regulatory treatment of this peptide varies by country. It holds no marketing authorization as a medicine in the United States, the European Union, or most other jurisdictions. Some countries classify products containing it as prescription-only or unlicensed medicines, which restricts lawful supply. Authorities have issued public notices warning that unregulated products may contain undeclared or incorrect ingredients. The molecule also appears on prohibited lists for competitive sport. These measures address supply oversight rather than any approved therapeutic role.
Melanotan-2 is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide designed as an analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the naturally occurring peptide involved in pigmentation signalling. Its sequence is conventionally written as Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2, with a lactam bridge joining the aspartate side chain to the lysine side chain. The empirical formula is C50H69N15O9 and the monoisotopic mass lies near 1023.5 daltons. N-terminal acetylation and the D-configured phenylalanine both increase resistance to enzymatic breakdown compared with the parent hormone.
Pharmacologically, melanotan-2 behaves as a non-selective agonist across the melanocortin receptor family. Binding at MC1R on dermal melanocytes promotes eumelanin synthesis, which underlies the tanning response described in early human work. Activity at the centrally expressed MC4R receptor is associated with reported effects on appetite and erectile function. Because the peptide does not discriminate strongly among receptor subtypes, attributing any single observed effect to one receptor pathway is generally not possible without selective antagonists or receptor knockout models.
===== MeSH D08.811.464.938 – ubiquitin-protein ligase complexes ===== MeSH D08.811.464.938.249 – Ubiquitin-activating enzyme MeSH D08.811.464.938.500 – ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes MeSH D08.811.464.938.750 – ubiquitin-protein ligases MeSH D08.811.464.938.750.186 – fanconi anemia complementation group l protein MeSH D08.811.464.938.750.374 – proto-oncogene proteins c-cbl MeSH D08.811.464.938.750.562 – proto-oncogene proteins c-mdm2 MeSH D08.811.464.938.750.750 – skp cullin f-box protein ligases MeSH D08.811.464.938.750.750.500 – cullin proteins MeSH D08.811.464.938.750.875 – von hippel-lindau tumor suppressor protein
=== Homonuclear nuclear magnetic resonance === With unlabelled protein the usual procedure is to record a set of two-dimensional homonuclear nuclear magnetic resonance experiments through correlation spectroscopy (COSY), of which several types include conventional correlation spectroscopy, total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY) and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY). A two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance experiment produces a two-dimensional spectrum. The units of both axes are chemical shifts. The COSY and TOCSY transfer magnetization through the chemical bonds between adjacent protons. The conventional correlation spectroscopy experiment is only able to transfer magnetization between protons on adjacent atoms, whereas in the total correlation spectroscopy experiment the protons are able to relay the magnetization, so it is transferred among all the protons that are connected by adjacent atoms. Thus in a conventional correlation spectroscopy, an alpha proton transfers magnetization to the beta protons, the beta protons transfers to the alpha and gamma protons, if any are present, then the gamma proton transfers to the beta and the delta protons, and the process continues. In total correlation spectroscopy, the alpha and all the other protons are able to transfer magnetization to the beta, gamma, delta, epsilon if they are connected by a continuous chain of protons. The continuous chain of protons are the sidechain of the individual amino acids.
For the second consecutive year, Zverev and Team Germany failed to progress at the United Cup. At the 2026 Australian Open, Zverev progressed to his third consecutive semifinal, defeating Cameron Norrie, Francisco Cerúndolo, and Learner Tien en route. In a rematch of their quarterfinal match in 2024, Zverev lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set epic semifinal lasting five hours and 27 minutes, ranking as the third longest match in Australian Open history. During the semifinal, Zverev dropped the first two sets, but rebounded to win the next two in consecutive tiebreaks to push the match to a deciding set, the first deciding set of the men's tournament on Rod Laver Arena. In the fifth set, Zverev had an opportunity to serve for the match, but was broken twice to lose the match. Failing to defend his finalist points from 2025, he dropped to world No. 4 in the rankings, behind Novak Djokovic. In Acapulco, Zverev lost in the second round of singles to Miomir Kecmanovic. However, in doubles, partnered with Marcelo Melo, the pair took the doubles title, defeating Alexander Erler & Robert Galloway in the final. Zverev then made consecutive Masters 1000 semifinals at Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte-Carlo, improving significantly on his results from the previous year. By reaching his first Indian Wells semifinal, he completed the semifinal set of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments, the first person outside of the Big Four to do so.
This change from an irregular cavalry force that fought against the enemies of Russia, such as the Ottoman Empire and France, to a repressive gendarmerie deployed against the subjects of the Empire caused much disquiet within the various Hosts, as it was contrary to the heroic ethos of frontier warfare that the Cossacks cherished. In 1879, the Shah of Iran, Nasir al-Din, who had been impressed with the equestrian skills and distinctive uniforms of the Cossacks while on a visit to Russia the previous year, requested that the Emperor Alexander II sent some Cossacks to train a Cossack force for himself. Alexander granted his request and later in 1879 a group of 9 Cossacks led by Kuban Cossack Colonel Aleksey Domantovich arrived in Tehran to train the Persian Cossack Brigade. The shah very much liked the colorful uniforms of the Cossacks and Domantovich devised uniforms for one regiment of the brigade based on the uniforms of the Kuban Cossack Host and another regiment had its uniform based on the Terek Cossack Host. The uniforms of the Cossacks were based on the flamboyant costumes of the peoples of the Caucasus, and what in Russia were viewed as exotic and colorful uniforms were viewed in Iran as a symbol of Russianness. Nasir al-Din, who was widely regarded as a deeply superficial and shallow man, was not interested in having his Cossack Brigade be an effective military force, and for him merely seeing his brigade ride before him while dressed in their brightly colored uniforms was quite enough.
== Gene expression == The gene from which this enzyme is synthesized is mostly expressed in the liver, with some expression in the kidneys, skeletal muscle, and brain. It is also expressed in melanocytes, synovium, placenta, breasts, fetal liver and heart.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Condensed matter and macromolecules === Metastable phases are common in condensed matter and crystallography. This is the case for anatase, a metastable polymorph of titanium dioxide, which despite commonly being the first phase to form in many synthesis processes due to its lower surface energy, is always metastable, with rutile being the most stable phase at all temperatures and pressures. As another example, diamond is a stable phase only at very high pressures, but is a metastable form of carbon at standard temperature and pressure. It can be converted to graphite (plus leftover kinetic energy), but only after overcoming an activation energy – an intervening hill. Martensite is a metastable phase used to control the hardness of most steel. Metastable polymorphs of silica are commonly observed. In some cases, such as in the allotropes of solid boron, acquiring a sample of the stable phase is difficult. The bonds between the building blocks of polymers such as DNA, RNA, and proteins are also metastable. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a highly metastable molecule, colloquially described as being "full of energy" that can be used in many ways in biology. Generally speaking, emulsions/colloidal systems and glasses are metastable. The metastability of silica glass, for example, is characterised by lifetimes on the order of 1098 years (as compared with the lifetime of the universe, which is thought to be around 1.3787×1010 years). Sandpiles are one system which can exhibit metastability if a steep slope or tunnel is present. Sand grains form a pile due to friction.
== External links == Pathway at biocarta.com Nosek, Thomas M. "Section 6/6ch2/s6ch2_34". Essentials of Human Physiology. Archived from the original on 2016-03-24. Overview of all the structural information available in the PDB for UniProt: P01282 (VIP peptides) at the PDBe-KB.
=== Dependence and withdrawal === In humans, tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of clobazam may occur and withdrawal seizures may occur during abrupt or over-rapid withdrawal. Clobazam as with other benzodiazepine drugs can lead to physical dependence, addiction, and what is known as benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal from clobazam or other benzodiazepines after regular use often leads to withdrawal symptoms which are similar to those seen during alcohol and barbiturate withdrawal. The higher the dosage and the longer the drug is taken, the greater the risk of experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazepine treatment should only be discontinued via a slow and gradual dose reduction regimen.
For a better understanding of the stiffness and strain of resilin, Hooke's law should be taken into consideration. For linear springs, Hooke's law states that the force required to deform the spring is directly proportional to the amount of deformation by a constant which is the characteristic of the spring. A material is viewed as elastic when it can be deformed to a large extend with a limited amount of force. Hydrated resilin has a tensile modulus of 640–2000 kPa, an unconfined compressive modulus of 600–700 kPa, and a strain to break of 300%.
The most effective treatment combines medication (where an effective one is available) with psychological and social support, emphasizing long-term management and relapse prevention. The remission rates for substance use disorders vary.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The lyophilised solid is best kept cold, dry and dark, typically at minus twenty degrees Celsius. Moisture and repeated warming cycles are the main causes of degradation. Solutions prepared from the powder are less stable and are normally used quickly.
Reversed-phase liquid chromatography assesses purity, while mass spectrometry confirms molecular mass and detects sequence errors. Amino acid analysis and peptide mapping add structural detail. These techniques are complementary rather than interchangeable.
It is listed as a prohibited peptide hormone by the World Anti-Doping Agency. No medicines regulator has approved it for human use. Import and sale rules vary by country.
No. It is a synthetic analogue carrying four amino acid changes, a lactam ring and an amidated C-terminus. The natural hormone is a linear thirteen-amino-acid peptide processed from proopiomelanocortin.