Recovery ⏱ Half-life: Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides, but intracellular accumulation extends functional duration. Preclinical

KPV

Lys-Pro-Val (Alpha-MSH Fragment)

Updated March 15, 2026
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Evidence at a Glance

Regulatory statusPreclinical
Alpha-MSH-derived tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val); studied only in cells and animals, no human trials.
Human evidenceNone
Animal evidenceModerate

KPV shows anti-inflammatory activity in cell and rodent models of colitis, dermatitis and wound healing, but no human trial has ever tested it, so there is no established human dose, efficacy or safety record.

What the research does not support

  • It has never been tested in a human clinical trial, so there is no proven human dose, benefit or safety profile.
  • It is not an approved treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, eczema, psoriasis or any inflammatory condition.
  • Anti-inflammatory results in cells and mice do not establish that it works in people.
Half-Life
Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides, but intracellular accumulation extends functional duration.
Mol. Weight
342.43 g/mol

What is KPV?

KPV (Lysine-Proline-Valine) is a naturally occurring tripeptide derived from the C-terminal end of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). Despite being only three amino acids long, KPV retains the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of the much larger parent molecule.

What makes KPV particularly interesting in research is its mechanism — rather than acting through cell surface receptors like most peptides, KPV can penetrate cell membranes and directly modulate intracellular inflammatory signaling cascades.

Research Applications

Key research areas include:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease: Colitis models showing mucosal healing and reduced inflammation
  • Dermatological: Contact dermatitis, allergic skin inflammation models
  • Antimicrobial: Direct antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans
  • General anti-inflammatory: NF-κB inhibition across multiple tissue types

Dosage Information (Research Use)

Research protocols vary by administration route:

  • Subcutaneous: 200-500 mcg/day in research models
  • Oral: Higher doses studied due to first-pass considerations, though notable oral bioavailability for a peptide
  • Topical: Studied in dermatological models at various concentrations

Research use only. No standardized human protocols exist.

Reconstitution & Handling

Standard reconstitution with bacteriostatic water. Due to its small size, KPV dissolves rapidly.

Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics

Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides, but intracellular accumulation extends functional duration.

Reported Observations in Literature

Limited adverse effects reported in published research. The compound lacks melanocortin receptor activity, avoiding the tanning and appetite effects associated with other MSH-derived peptides.

Key Research References

  • Dalmasso G, et al. “The anti-inflammatory peptide KPV attenuates DSS colitis.” PLoS One. 2008
  • Brzoska T, et al. “α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides.” Endocr Rev. 2008

How KPV Works

KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It retains the anti-inflammatory properties of the parent hormone without melanocortin receptor binding activity. KPV enters cells and directly interacts with intracellular inflammatory pathways, inhibiting NF-κB activation and reducing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6). Unique among anti-inflammatory peptides for its ability to cross cell membranes and act on intracellular targets rather than through receptor-mediated signaling.

Research Findings

Studied primarily in inflammatory bowel disease models (colitis), where oral and intracolonic administration showed significant mucosal healing. Also examined in dermatitis models and as a potential antimicrobial agent. Oral bioavailability is notable for a peptide — the tripeptide structure provides resistance to gastric degradation.

Dosage & Administration

Research protocols vary by administration route:

  • Subcutaneous: 200-500 mcg/day in research models
  • Oral: Higher doses studied due to first-pass considerations, though notable oral bioavailability for a peptide
  • Topical: Studied in dermatological models at various concentrations

Research use only. No standardized human protocols exist.

Safety & Side Effects

Limited adverse effects reported in published research. The compound lacks melanocortin receptor activity, avoiding the tanning and appetite effects associated with other MSH-derived peptides.

Important: All safety information is derived from published research, primarily animal studies. No controlled human clinical trial data exists unless explicitly noted. This compound is sold for research purposes only.

Quick Facts

Sequence Lys-Pro-Val
Molecular Weight 342.43 g/mol
Half-Life Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides, but intracellular accumulation extends functional duration.
Available Sizes 5mg
Storage Lyophilized: -20°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use within 21 days.

Key Research References

  • Dalmasso G, et al. "The anti-inflammatory peptide KPV attenuates DSS colitis." PLoS One. 2008
  • Brzoska T, et al. "α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides." Endocr Rev. 2008

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