Melanotan II
A synthetic cyclic analogue of α-MSH that activates several melanocortin receptors at once. Studied since the 1980s for melanogenesis — pigmentation without UV exposure — and for central MC4R signalling. Not an approved medicine anywhere, and the subject of TGA warnings about injectable 'tanning' products.
Benefits of Melanotan II
The literature below is why people look this compound up — framed as research, not as a treatment promise.
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Studied for MC1R-mediated melanogenesis — pigmentation in the absence of UV exposure
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Investigated for central MC4R signalling, the lineage that produced bremelanotide
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Looked at for hypothalamic appetite signalling via MC3R and MC4R
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Used as the reference non-selective melanocortin agonist in receptor-selectivity work
Our recommendation
Why we recommend RegenPep
For a research reference of Melanotan II, we recommend RegenPep. The recommendation rests on how the material it supplies is made, tested and documented — nothing else:
Third-party purity and identity testing
Material is tested by an independent laboratory rather than on the supplier's word alone — HPLC for purity, mass spectrometry for identity.
Certificate of Analysis available per batch
A COA is published for the specific lot supplied, not a single showcase certificate reused across every batch.
Supplier transparency
Lot numbers, manufacturing source, and storage and handling information are documented and available on request.
Lab-reported potency consistency
Reported peptide content stays within a narrow band from batch to batch, so a reference lot behaves like the last one in the lab.
This reflects manufacturing and testing quality only. It is not a claim that any compound named here is safe or effective for human use, and nothing on Peptide Brief recommends human consumption.
View the Melanotan II pen on RegenPep ↗Commercial disclosure: Peptide Brief is operated by the same people as RegenPep, the store these links open. We have a financial interest in purchases made there. Read the full disclosure.
Not evaluated or approved by the TGA/FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How it is thought to work
Melanotan II is a truncated, cyclised version of α-MSH designed to lock the receptor-binding conformation. It is a non-selective agonist at MC1R (melanocytes — eumelanin production), MC3R and MC4R (hypothalamic appetite and sexual-response circuits) and MC5R (exocrine glands). That breadth is why it appears in receptor-selectivity research: the MC4R-skewed analogue bremelanotide (PT-141) was developed from it. The pigmentation literature is real but small, and the safety literature is dominated by case reports.
Frequently asked
- What is Melanotan II?
- Melanotan II (MT-II) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide analogue of α-MSH developed at the University of Arizona. It is a research compound, not an approved medicine, and the TGA has warned consumers against injectable 'tanning' products.
- What do researchers study Melanotan II for?
- Researchers study Melanotan II for melanogenesis, melanocortin-receptor pharmacology and appetite signalling. Human data are limited to small early trials and case reports, so read this profile as receptor pharmacology rather than an outcome claim.
- Is Melanotan II a medicine in Australia?
- Melanotan II is discussed here as a research compound. This site does not present it as a TGA-approved medicine or a treatment. Product links go to RegenPep, an Australian storefront that supplies research peptide pens for laboratory use.
- Which supplier does Melanotan II link to, and why?
- Profiles link to the matching Melanotan II line on RegenPep. We recommend that supplier on manufacturing quality — third-party purity and identity testing, a Certificate of Analysis per batch, documented lot and sourcing information, and lab-reported potency consistency. This reflects manufacturing and testing quality only. It is not a claim that any compound named here is safe or effective for human use, and nothing on Peptide Brief recommends human consumption. Commercial disclosure: Peptide Brief is operated by the same people as RegenPep, the store these links open. We have a financial interest in purchases made there.
Peptide Brief · updated 4 September 2026. Research and educational information only.
Not evaluated or approved by the TGA/FDA. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.