A gel-forming α-MSH analog promotes lasting melanogenesis.

Chang CL, Cai Z, Hsu SYT

European journal of pharmacology4 Sept 2023

PMID37673364DOI10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176008PepBankPUB-37673364

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

1 result from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In frogs, those injected with an equivalent dose of afamelanotide lost the tanning response within a few days, whereas DDE313 darkened the skin for more than 4 weeks.
In plain wordsIn frogs, the tanning response to afamelanotide was lost within a few days. The analog DDE313 darkened skin for more than 4 weeks.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
Not applicableDuration of tanning response with afamelanotide
Study
frogn: not reported in source
skin darkening
Comparator
DDE313
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
whereas those injected with an equivalent dose of afamelanotide lost the tanning response within a few days.
Report a problemFND-3767336405

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).

02AnimalNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics
In rats, subcutaneous injection of the DDE313 analog gel led to sustained presence of the peptide in circulation for more than 12 days.
In plain wordsIn rats, an injected gel of the acylated analog DDE313 stayed in the blood for more than 12 days.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
Not applicableDuration of DDE313 in circulation
Study
ratn: not reported in source
subcutaneous injection of analog gel
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Measurements
time in circulation
> 12 days
rats
Source sentences
Summary
subcutaneous injection of analog gel in rats leads to the sustained presence of the peptide in circulation for >12 days
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-3767336403
03AnimalNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In frogs, the acylated analog DDE313 darkened the skin for more than 4 weeks.
In plain wordsIn frogs, the acylated analog DDE313 darkened the skin for more than 4 weeks.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseSkin darkening duration with DDE313
Study
frogn: not reported in source
skin darkening
Comparator
Afamelanotide
Outcome group
Pigmentation · Skin and wound
Measurements
skin darkening duration
> 4 weeks
frogs
Source sentences
Summary
DDE313 darkened the skin of frogs for >4 weeks
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-3767336404
04LabNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other
Acylated afamelanotide (DDE 313) and ACTH1-24 (DDE314) analogs formed liquid gels at 6-20% and had significantly higher viscosity at >2.5% than the original analogs.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, the acylated afamelanotide and ACTH analogs formed liquid gels and were thicker than the original analogs.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
IncreaseLiquid gel formation and viscosity of acylated analogs
Study
n: not reported in source
in vitro gel formulation
Comparator
Original analogs
Outcome group
Formulation, delivery and stability · Pharmacology
Measurements
gel-forming concentration
6 to 20%
DDE313 and DDE314
viscosity threshold
> 2.5%
DDE313 and DDE314
Source sentences
Summary
Acylated afamelanotide (DDE 313) and ACTH1-24 (DDE314) analogs form liquid gels at 6-20% and have a significantly increased viscosity at >2.5% compared to original analogs.
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-3767336401
05LabNot a test of Melanotan I (afamelanotide) aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other
Gel formation reduced the passage of the acylated afamelanotide analog DDE313 through Centricon filters.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, gel formation slowed the passage of the acylated afamelanotide analog DDE313 through filters.
Peptide
Melanotan I (afamelanotide)
Outcome
DecreasePassage of DDE313 through Centricon filters
Study
n: not reported in source
in vitro Centricon filter
Outcome group
Formulation, delivery and stability · Pharmacology
Source sentences
Summary
Using the DDE313 analog as a prototype, we showed gel-formation reduces the passage of DDE313 through Centricon filters
In this study, Melanotan I (afamelanotide) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Melanotan I (afamelanotide).
Report a problemFND-3767336402

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

Journal Article

MeSH terms

Keywords

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