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Inflammation & Immune ResearchTripeptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone

KPV

A natural three-amino-acid peptide fragment of alpha-MSH that suppresses inflammation in gut and skin tissues without altering skin pigmentation.

UnapprovedPreclinical Models Only (Animal / Lab)Also known as: Lys-Pro-Val, α-MSH (11-13)Skip to Human Evidence ↓
Inflammation & Immune Research

KPV Biological Classification

Preclinical Models Only

A natural three-amino-acid peptide fragment of alpha-MSH that suppresses inflammation in gut and skin tissues without altering skin pigmentation.

NF-κB Inhibition

Prevents the master inflammatory switch from entering the cell nucleus.

No Pigmentation Effects

Lacks the amino acid sequence required to stimulate melanocortin-1 tanning receptors.

1

What is KPV?

KPV is a natural C-terminal tripeptide fragment (Lysine-Proline-Valine) of the larger neurohormone alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (alpha-MSH).

2

Why are people interested in it?

Researched for anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in inflammatory bowel conditions (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's) and skin disorders, because it avoids the skin-darkening (melanogenic) effects of full alpha-MSH.

Primary Research Categories

  • Peptide fragments
  • Preclinical research compounds
3

How does it work in the body?

KPV crosses cell membranes to inhibit NF-κB nuclear translocation, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

In Everyday Language: KPV carries the anti-inflammatory power of your body's melanocortin hormones, but strips away the parts that cause skin tanning. It turns down the inflammatory alarm bells inside irritated intestinal or skin cells.
Cellular & Receptor Signaling: Tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) that enters cells via the PepT1 transporter and interacts with Importin-beta to block the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65/p50 heterodimers, suppressing transcription of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6.

Biological Pathway Overview

KPV Receptor & Target Interactions

This compound is evaluated in scientific research for its interactions with target cellular receptors and signaling cascades. Consult the evidence section below for specific peer-reviewed papers.

NF-κB Inhibition

Prevents the master inflammatory switch from entering the cell nucleus.

No Pigmentation Effects

Lacks the amino acid sequence required to stimulate melanocortin-1 tanning receptors.

4

What has actually been demonstrated in humans?

Preclinical Models Only (Animal / Lab)

Research on KPV is almost entirely preclinical, utilizing animal models of chemically induced colitis, wound inflammation, and cell cultures. Controlled human clinical trials are absent.

Pharmaceutical Reality vs. Unregulated Research Chemicals

KPV is not an approved drug. Products sold online as dietary supplements or research chemicals have not been vetted by the FDA for safety or purity.

5

What is still uncertain or unknown?

Human clinical safety, oral bioavailability, and efficacy in actual human patients with inflammatory bowel disease or skin conditions have not been established in peer-reviewed trials.

Regulatory Position: Unapproved research substance. Not cleared by the FDA or international drug agencies.

Companion Resources & Guides

Dosing Reference→

Laboratory concentrations and community discussion references.

Research at a Glance

Open the full evidence file (4 records)

4 records in this file

  • ANIMAL2
  • REGULATORY2

Publication span: 2008–2026

What Has Actually Been Studied

  • FDA — bulk substances nominated for compounding and withdrawn: KPV (FDA compounding communications, 2026) — FDA compounding classification.
  • FDA PCAC briefing — KPV-related bulk drug substances (23 July 2026) (FDA PCAC briefing, 2026) — FDA advisory-committee briefing.
  • Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2008) — In vivo (murine colitis).
  • PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation (Gastroenterology, 2008) — In vitro with in-vivo murine colitis models.

What is Still Unknown

What we know

  • Two 2008 murine colitis papers (Dalmasso; Kannengiesser) are primary sources for the preclinical gut-inflammation literature.
  • No FDA-approved product exists. FDA's withdrawn-nominations table states that human exposure data have not been identified.
  • PCAC discussed KPV-related bulk substances on 23 July 2026. FDA briefing materials proposed against 503A Bulks List inclusion. That is not a listing decision.

Editorial reading of the records below, labelled as Therapept analysis. How records are built

What remains uncertain

  • Controlled human interventional data.
  • Whether commercial certificates labelled KPV describe Lys-Pro-Val rather than a related melanocortin fragment.

Preparation and Handling

Lyophilized peptides ship as freeze-dried powders; whatever happens next involves diluents, concentrations and storage conditions that are compound- and product-specific.

Preparation Resource HubWhat “lyophilized” meansConcentration calculator

United States Regulatory Status

No FDA-approved product

  • No approved drug product exists in Drugs@FDA.
  • Listed on FDA's table of bulk substances nominated for compounding and subsequently withdrawn. FDA states it has not identified human exposure data.
  • On 23 July 2026 PCAC discussed KPV (free base) and KPV acetate (uses evaluated: wound healing and inflammatory conditions). FDA briefing materials proposed that they NOT be included on the 503A Bulks List. Nominations had been withdrawn; FDA elected to proceed. Committee recommendations are non-binding; FDA has not published a listing decision as of this review.
Technical Chemical SpecificationsClick to view CAS, sequence, and molecular formulas
Molecular weight
342.43 g/mol
Sequence length
3 chars
CAS number
67727-97-3
PubChem CID
125672
Compound class
Tripeptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Sequence
KPV
Molecular formula
C16H30N4O4
Molecular weight
342.43 g/mol
CAS number
67727-97-3
PubChem CID
125672