Not medical advice. Melanotan-1 is a research compound. This guide does not provide dosing, diagnosis, therapy recommendations, or claims about effects in humans.
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide, Scenesse) is a selective MC1R agonist that drives UV-independent eumelanin production - the only melanocortin peptide currently FDA- and EMA-approved for human therapeutic use.
One-paragraph overview from our research datasheet — still scientific, but faster to read than the full mechanism list below.
Afamelanotide (Melanotan I) linear 13-amino-acid α-MSH analogue selectively activates MC1R eumelanogenesis via cAMP-MITF cascade. FDA/EMA-approved for EPP treatment.
Peer-reviewed literature typically discusses Melanotan-1 in specific experimental settings. The points below reflect how the scientific community frames this compound—not as health claims, but as the research questions being asked.
Research vs. personal use: Literature describes experiments in controlled lab and animal models. This is distinct from any real-world use; our products are for laboratory research only.
These peptides are studied mainly for how they interact with melanocortin receptors and pigmentation biology. That research is separate from human “tanning products” and stays in controlled scientific contexts.
Our datasheet lists mechanistic themes observed in preclinical work. These are research endpoints, not health claims. They help scientists understand and compare pathways.
Storage requirements: Lyophilised powder: store in freezer (−20 °C). Reconstituted: refrigerate 1–6 °C, away from sunlight. Use within the validated stability window for the specific batch and formulation. · Learn best practices in our detailed storage guide.
Research dosing context: Literature typically discusses 0.5-1.0 mg subcutaneously or 16 mg implant (Scenesse) · Subcutaneous injection daily or every other day; implant every 60 days (EPP) · Full SC bioavailability; no oral or transdermal bioavailability detected. Nle4 substitution prevents methionine oxidation; D-Phe7 resists proteolysis. Implant formulation provides controlled release at lower effective doses than daily injections. Non-immunogenic per long-term clinical follow-up. CAS 75921-69-6.
Preparation steps: Follow our detailed reconstitution guide, use the calculator tool for volume confirmation, and always verify purity with the COA reading guide.
Melanotan-1 (afamelanotide, MT-1) is a synthetic linear 13-amino-acid analogue of α-MSH ([Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, MW ~1647 Da) that selectively activates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) to drive eumelanin synthesis. It is the molecule approved as Scenesse (a 16 mg implant) for erythropoietic protoporphyria. New-U supplies it as a research-grade lyophilised powder for laboratory research use only — not the approved drug and not for human use.
MT-1 is a linear 13-amino-acid peptide that is relatively selective for MC1R (pigmentation). MT-2 is a cyclic 7-amino-acid peptide that hits all four melanocortin receptors non-selectively, which is why research reports it producing appetite suppression, nausea, and central arousal effects that MT-1 largely avoids. MT-1 is also the only one of the two FDA/EMA-approved for any indication. These are research distinctions only; both are supplied for laboratory research, not human use.
The strongest data is in erythropoietic protoporphyria: a randomised phase 3 trial (Langendonk et al., NEJM 2015) reported that afamelanotide increased pain-free time in sunlight for EPP patients, which supported its EMA and FDA approval as Scenesse. Mechanistically, studies describe reliable MC1R-driven eumelanin accumulation without the central effects of non-selective analogues. This is summarised published research, not a human-use claim.
In the research literature, yes. Afamelanotide's clinical trial program tested populations carrying MC1R variant alleles (such as Val60Leu, Arg151Cys, and Arg160Trp) associated with weak natural pigmentation, and reported a pigmentation response even in those genotypes — one reason it was approved for EPP. Reported for research context only.
Published pharmacology describes a short plasma half-life of roughly 30 minutes after subcutaneous administration, but the studied biological pigmentation effect persists for several days because MC1R activation and slow receptor recycling outlast the circulating peptide. The Nle4 substitution prevents methionine oxidation and D-Phe7 resists proteolysis, extending activity versus native α-MSH. This is descriptive research context — not human-use dosing guidance.
Normal tanning requires UV damage — skin darkens as a response to DNA damage from sun exposure. MT-1 activates the same downstream pigmentation pathway (MC1R / cAMP / MITF / tyrosinase) directly at the receptor level, so in research models pigment accumulates without the upstream DNA-damage signal. The protective pigment is the same; only the trigger differs. Reported for research context only.
The finished pharmaceutical afamelanotide (Scenesse) is FDA- and EMA-approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria — that approval applies to the prescription implant, NOT to research-grade powder. New-U's Melanotan-1 is an unapproved research compound supplied strictly for laboratory research, labelled research use only and not for human consumption; buyers are responsible for compliance in their own jurisdiction.
Keep the lyophilised powder frozen at −20 °C. For research preparation it is dissolved in bacteriostatic water; the reconstituted vial is then refrigerated at 1-6 °C and protected from light. The linear structure is slightly more sensitive than cyclic MT-2, so prompt use after reconstitution is preferable. This is laboratory handling information only, not a human-use instruction.
No, and no. This article is educational only. We do not provide dosing, medical recommendations, or health claims. Our products are sold strictly for laboratory research, not for personal use of any kind.
Open the shop listing via “View product details.” There you will see batch specs, the Certificate of Analysis (COA), concentration, purity grade, and available SKUs with current pricing.
Other compounds researchers often read about alongside Melanotan-1.
Primary literature and registries for Melanotan-1, plus mainstream coverage of the peptide category. Research use only - not medical advice.
Databases & literature:
Peptides in the news:
Access concentration, batch info, variants, and current pricing on our shop.
Also known as: Melanotan I, MT-1, Afamelanotide, Scenesse, NDP-MSH, NDP-α-MSH, [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH, CUV1647, Selective MC1R Agonist