Melanotan II

The Uses of Melanotan II

Melanotan II acetate salt has been used to study its inhibitory effects on feeding and energy expenditure in rats.

What are the applications of Application

Melanotan II acetate salt is a MC3-R/MC4-R melanocortin agonist.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Melanotan II is a MC3-R/MC4-R melanocortin agonist. It is a high affinity melanocortin receptor agonist (Ki values are 0.67, 6.6, 34 and 46 nM for MC1, MC4, MC3 and MC5 receptors respectively). Stimulates erectile activity, inhibits food intake and displays neuroprotective properties in vivo.

Clinical Use

Melanotan II has been a new treatment for rosacea discussed in the various rosacea support groups on the internet.
Melanotan I and Melanotan II are both analogs of the peptide hormone alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) that tend to induce skin tanning. Melanotan II has the additional effect of increasing libido.
Melanotan II is an α-MSH analog which underwent clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled studies demonstrated the efficacy of melanotan in inducing penile erection in men with erectile dysfunction, although in a very restricted population.Unfortunately, there are no experimental data on the mode of action of melanotan II, as melanotan II is the first α-MSH agonist inducing penile erection when injected peripherally.
Illustration of the proerectile effect of melanotan II (MT-II) in humans. Placebo (A) or MT-II (B, 25 ug/kg and C, 133 ug/kg) was injected subcutaneously in patients and RigiScan recording was performed from 6 h. Apparent erections developed in 8 of 10 men treated with MT-II. (Reproduced with permission from Wessells H et al. Effect of an alphamelanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction. Urology 2000; 56:641–646.)

Side Effects

When given as a shot: Melanotan is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given as a shot. It can causes nausea, stomachcramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkened skin, spontaneous erections of the penis, and other side effects. In some people, especially those with light skin, a change in the shape of moles, new moles, and skin cancer, have all occurred in people using melanotan.

Storage

Store at -20°C

References

[1] SOPHIA HATZIIEREMIA. A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectroscopic method for quantification of the cyclic peptide melanotan-II. Plasma and brain tissue concentrations following administration in mice[J]. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 2007. DOI:10.1002/rcm.3106.
[2] WEKWEJTPATRYK   KirykAnna  WojdaUrszula. Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet.[J]. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2023. DOI:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115129.
[3] HJULER K F, LORENTZEN H F. Melanoma Associated with the Use of Melanotan-II[J]. Dermatology, 2013, 228: 34-36. DOI:10.1159/000356389.
[4] DORR R T, LINES R, LEVINE N, et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study.[J]. Life sciences, 1996, 58 20: 1777-1784. DOI:10.1016/0024-3205(96)00160-9.