At a glance
Type
Cyclic α-MSH analog (melanocortin agonist)
Molecular weight
≈1024.2 g/mol
Studied for
PigmentationAppetiteSexual arousal
Melanotan II (MT-2) is a synthetic cyclic analog of α-MSH and a non-selective melanocortin-receptor agonist. It is studied for skin pigmentation (via MC1R) and, through central MC4R, effects on appetite and sexual arousal — the peptide PT-141 is actually one of its metabolites.
How Melanotan II works
MT-2 activates melanocortin receptors broadly. At MC1R on melanocytes it drives eumelanin production and pigmentation without UV exposure; at central MC4R it is linked to appetite and sexual-arousal pathways. Its cyclic structure makes it more potent and stable than natural α-MSH.
What the research shows
- Pigmentation (Dorr et al., 1996). A placebo-controlled Phase 1 study found increased skin pigmentation without UV exposure.
- Erectile response (Wessells et al., 1998). In men with psychogenic ED, MT-II initiated erections in 8 of 10 versus placebo.
- Desire & erection (Wessells et al., 2000). In organic ED, MT-II initiated erections and increased self-reported sexual desire.
Candour: human data come from small early studies; Melanotan II is not an approved medicine, long-term safety data are limited, and case reports link its use to nausea, flushing, priapism and changes in moles/pigmented lesions. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | Cyclic α-MSH analog · melanocortin agonist |
| Sequence | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2 |
| Molecular formula | C50H69N15O9 |
| Molecular weight | ≈1024.2 g/mol |
| CAS number | 121062-08-6 |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness Melanotan II 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
- Dorr RT, et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide, in a pilot phase-I clinical study. Life Sci. 1996;58(20):1777–1784. PubMed
- Wessells H, et al. Synthetic melanotropic peptide initiates erections in men with psychogenic erectile dysfunction. J Urol. 1998;160(2):389–393. PubMed
- Wessells H, et al. Effect of an α-MSH analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction. Urology. 2000;56(4):641–646. PubMed
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
