At a glance
Type
α-MSH analog · MC1R agonist
Molecular weight
≈1646.9 g/mol
Studied for
Melanin / pigmentPhotoprotectionMC1R selective
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide) is a synthetic analog of α-MSH (α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone) that stimulates the skin’s own pigment production. Unlike Melanotan II, it is selective for the MC1R receptor, and it is the only melanotan with a marketed pharmaceutical form.
How Melanotan-1 works
Afamelanotide is a melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist. By binding MC1R on melanocytes, it stimulates production of eumelanin — the photoprotective form of skin pigment — independently of UV exposure. More eumelanin means greater skin tolerance to light, which is the basis of its research and clinical use.
What the research shows
- EPP photoprotection (Langendonk et al., NEJM 2015). Two randomised placebo-controlled trials showed increased pain-free sun exposure and better quality of life in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP).
- Long-term data (Biolcati et al., 2015). An 8-year observational study of 115 EPP patients reported improved quality of life and good safety.
- Photoprotection mechanism (Harms et al., 2009). An early implant study showed increased tolerance to light in EPP.
Context & candour: afamelanotide is marketed as Scenesse for EPP, a rare light-sensitivity disorder — noted for context only. Its human evidence is established for that use; effects for cosmetic tanning or other uses are not established in comparable trials. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | α-MSH analog · MC1R agonist (afamelanotide) |
| Sequence | Ac-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Nle-Glu-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2 |
| Molecular formula | C78H111N21O19 |
| Molecular weight | ≈1646.9 g/mol |
| CAS number | 75921-69-6 |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness Melanotan-1 is compounded through a Registered 503B outsourcing facility under GMP-compliant processes, HPLC-tested for purity and potency, and third-party lab verified. Shipped cold-pack when needed to protect stability.
References
- Langendonk JG, et al. Afamelanotide for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(1):48–59. PubMed
- Biolcati G, et al. Long-term observational study of afamelanotide in 115 patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria. Br J Dermatol. 2015;172(6):1601–1612. PubMed
- Harms J, et al. Mitigating photosensitivity of erythropoietic protoporphyria patients by an agonistic analog of α-MSH. Photochem Photobiol. 2009. PubMed
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
