How to Reconstitute Melanotan II
Melanotan II is a synthetic melanocortin peptide supplied as a lyophilised powder for laboratory research. This page covers its identifiers, receptor pharmacology, and the animal and in vitro evidence relevant to reconst
Melanotan II (also written Melanotan-II, MT-II, and known by the code names NDP-α-MSH and [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and a member of the melanocortin hormone family [1]. It is supplied to research laboratories as a lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder, and reconstitution refers to the process of dissolving that powder in a suitable solvent to produce a working solution for in vitro or animal studies. The evidence block for this page does not provide a sequence, molecular formula, or molecular weight for Melanotan II, so none are stated here; researchers should obtain those identifiers from the certificate of analysis accompanying their specific lot.
The work on Melanotan II centres on the melanocortin receptor family, a group of five Class A G protein-coupled receptors (MC1R through MC5R) with roles including pigmentation, steroidogenesis, and energy homeostasis [6]. Melanotan II acts primarily by activating melanocortin 1 receptors on melanocytes, stimulating eumelanin production and producing skin pigmentation independent of sun exposure [1].
Research Studies
Melanotan II and melanocortin receptor activation in pigmentation models
Melanotan II is described in the literature as an unlicensed synthetic peptide analogue belonging to the melanocortin hormone family, acting primarily through melanocortin 1 receptor activation on melanocytes to stimulate eumelanin production [1]. This receptor-level mechanism is the basis for its investigation in pigmentation research. The melanocortin receptors are a centrally and peripherally expressed family of Class A GPCRs, and Melanotan II is discussed among the tool compounds used to probe melanocortin receptor pharmacology [6].
Melanotan II and oral mucosal pigmentation in a human case report
A case report followed a patient who self-administered Melanotan II injections over 64 days with the goal of achieving a deeper tanning effect, with a three-month follow-up [1]. During the initial intraoral examination, brown pigmentation was observed on the oral mucosa [1]. The report notes that Melanotan II remains unregulated and that its use is associated with a range of potential adverse effects [1]. This is a single-patient observational report and does not establish causation or incidence.
Melanotan II and repigmentation in stable nonsegmental vitiligo
A registered randomized Phase 2 clinical trial evaluated investigational Melanotan II as an adjunct to standard NB-UVB phototherapy for repigmentation in adults with stable nonsegmental vitiligo [2]. The record describes the study as interventional and the population as adults with stable nonsegmental vitiligo [2]. No results are reported in the evidence block, so no efficacy or safety conclusions can be drawn here.
Melanotan II and oral mucosal pathology in a human case report
A published case report described a 22-year-old female who developed a mass in the anterior maxilla after using a Melanotan II nasal spray for tanning purposes [3]. The report characterises Melanotan II as an unlicensed product and notes that its sale is illegal in the United Kingdom [3]. This is a single case and cannot be used to infer risk at the population level.
Melanotan II and stress-related behaviour in male rats
In male rats exposed to a chronic unpredictable stress model, the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analogues Semax and Melanotan II were studied for antidepressant-like and antistress effects [4]. The paper situates this work against the role of stressful events and hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in the pathogenesis of depression [4]. This evidence is animal-only and does not translate directly to human outcomes.
Melanotan II and analytical identification in seized samples
A laboratory identification study analysed submitted samples, including two vials with a pharmaceutical appearance, using HPLC-DAD, UHPLC-TOF-MS, and/or UPLC-MS-MS [5]. The work described the unique characteristics observed during analysis of the powder contained in the vial [5]. This is an analytical chemistry report and provides no pharmacological or clinical data.
Melanotan II and melanocortin tool-compound characterisation
Melanotan II appears in a review of recommended tool compounds for the melanocortin receptor GPCRs, a family with five subtypes (MC1R–MC5R) and physiological roles including pigmentation, steroidogenesis, and energy homeostasis [6]. The review notes that several roles of this receptor family remain to be fully characterised [6]. This is reference material supporting receptor-level context rather than a primary experimental finding.
Melanotan II and comparison of evidence types
The table below summarises the evidence types available for Melanotan II in this block. It is intended to help researchers judge what kind of data exist and what they can support.
| Evidence type | Model or population | What it can support |
|---|---|---|
| Case report [1] | One human patient, 64 days of self-injection | Observations of oral mucosal pigmentation; no causal or incidence claims |
| Registered trial record [2] | Adults with stable nonsegmental vitiligo | Description of a Phase 2 adjunctive phototherapy study; no results reported |
| Case report [3] | One 22-year-old female, nasal spray use | Description of an anterior maxillary mass; no population-level inference |
| Animal study [4] | Male rats, chronic unpredictable stress | Antidepressant-like and antistress effects in an animal model only |
| Analytical study [5] | Seized powder samples | Identification and characterisation of sample contents |
| Review [6] | Melanocortin receptor family | Receptor pharmacology context and tool-compound discussion |
Melanotan II and reconstitution practice in laboratory settings
The evidence block does not contain a study that reports a specific reconstitution protocol, solvent, concentration, or storage condition for Melanotan II. Because no such data are provided, this page does not state one. Researchers should follow the handling instructions supplied with their lot and their institution's standard practices for lyophilised peptides. The analytical work in [5] shows that Melanotan II-containing powders can be characterised by HPLC-DAD, UHPLC-TOF-MS, and UPLC-MS-MS, which is relevant to verifying identity after dissolution [5].
Melanotan II and regulatory status in the evidence
Two sources in this block describe Melanotan II as unlicensed. The case report in [1] states that Melanotan II remains unregulated and is associated with a range of potential adverse effects [1]. The case report in [3] states that Melanotan II is unlicensed and that its sale is illegal in the United Kingdom [3]. These statements describe the regulatory context reported by those authors and are not laboratory findings.
If you are reading this for personal health reasons
This material is sold for laboratory research only, and we do not provide dosing or medical guidance. Anyone considering a compound for themselves should speak to a licensed clinician.
Sources
- [1] Changes in Oral Mucosa Associated with Melanotan II Injections: A Case Report. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12942211
- [2] Melanotan II (MT-II) as an Adjunct to NB-UVB Phototherapy for Repigmentation in Stable Nonsegmental Vitiligo. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07437560
- [3] Melanotan II nasal spray: a possible risk factor for oral mucosal malignant melanoma? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40210573/
- [4] Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39442746/
- [5] Barbie drug identification: Not a child's play. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39302005/
- [6] Recommended Tool Compounds for the Melanocortin Receptor (MCR) G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11406693