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Study · In vitro (cell-free) · 2023

5 results

Liposomes as Carriers of GHK-Cu Tripeptide for Cosmetic Application.

Dymek M, Olechowska K, Hąc-Wydro K, Sikora E

Pharmaceutics18 Oct 2023Cited by 21 (Europe PMC)

PMID37896245 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC10610410 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/pharmaceutics15102485 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-37896245
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Summary

Liposomes are self-assembled spherical systems composed of amphiphilic phospholipids. They can be used as carriers of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic substances, such as the anti-aging and wound-healing copper-binding peptide, GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine). Anionic (AL) and cationic (CL) hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes were obtained as GHK-Cu skin delivery systems using the thin-film hydration method combined with freeze-thaw cycles and the extrusion process. The influence of total lipid content, lipid composition and GHK-Cu concentration on the physicochemical properties of liposomes was studied. The lipid bilayer fluidity and the peptide encapsulation efficiency (EE) were also determined. Moreover, in vitro assays of tyrosinase and elastase inhibition were performed. Stable GHK-Cu-loaded liposome systems of small sizes (approx. 100 nm) were obtained. The bilayer fluidity was higher in the case of cationic liposomes. As the best carriers, 25 mg/cm3 CL and AL hydrated with 0.5 mg/cm3 GHK-Cu were selected with EE of 31.7 ± 0.9% and 20.0 ± 2.8%, respectively. The obtained results confirmed that the liposomes can be used as carriers for biomimetic peptides such as copper-binding peptide and that the GHK-Cu did not significantly affect the tyrosinase activity but led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition, thus reducing the rate of elastin degeneration and supporting the structural integrity of the skin.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study5

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

  1. 01LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In an in vitro assay, GHK‑Cu did not significantly affect tyrosinase activity.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, copper peptide did not significantly change the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    No significant changeTyrosinase activity
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Skin and hair · Skin and wound
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    the GHK-Cu did not significantly affect the tyrosinase activity but led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition, thus reducing the rate of elastin degeneration and supporting the structural integrity of the skin.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Moreover, in vitro assays of tyrosinase and elastase inhibition were performed.
  2. 02LabIn vitro (cell-free)Activity measurement

    In an in vitro assay, GHK‑Cu led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, copper peptide blocked about 48.90% of the activity of the enzyme elastase.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseElastase inhibition
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Skin and hair · Skin and wound
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Elastase inhibition
    48.9%
    GHK-Cu

    Source sentences

    Summary
    led to 48.90 ± 2.50% elastase inhibition, thus reducing the rate of elastin degeneration and supporting the structural integrity of the skin.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Moreover, in vitro assays of tyrosinase and elastase inhibition were performed.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, GHK-Cu 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 GHK-Cu.

  1. 03LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other

    Stable GHK‑Cu-loaded liposome systems of small size (approx. 100 nm) were obtained.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, stable liposomes of about 100 nm were made to carry copper peptide.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Not applicableSize of GHK-Cu-loaded liposomes
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Formulation, delivery and stability · Pharmacology

    Measurements

    Liposome size
    ≈ 100 nm
    GHK-Cu-loaded liposomes

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Stable GHK-Cu-loaded liposome systems of small sizes (approx. 100 nm) were obtained.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Anionic (AL) and cationic (CL) hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes were obtained as GHK-Cu skin delivery systems using the thin-film hydration method combined with freeze-thaw cycles and the extrusion process.

    In this study, GHK-Cu 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 GHK-Cu.

  2. 04LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other

    The bilayer fluidity of cationic liposomes was higher than that of anionic liposomes.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, the cationic liposomes had a more fluid lipid layer than the anionic ones.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Not applicableLipid bilayer fluidity
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Comparator
    Anionic liposomes
    Outcome group
    Formulation, delivery and stability · Pharmacology

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The bilayer fluidity was higher in the case of cationic liposomes.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Anionic (AL) and cationic (CL) hydrogenated lecithin-based liposomes were obtained as GHK-Cu skin delivery systems using the thin-film hydration method combined with freeze-thaw cycles and the extrusion process.

    In this study, GHK-Cu 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 GHK-Cu.

  3. 05LabNot a test of GHK-Cu aloneIn vitro (cell-free)Other

    For the selected carriers, GHK‑Cu encapsulation efficiency was 31.7% in cationic and 20.0% in anionic liposomes.

    In plain wordsIn lab tests, cationic liposomes held 31.7% of the copper peptide and anionic liposomes held 20.0%.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Not applicableGHK-Cu encapsulation efficiency
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Formulation, delivery and stability · Pharmacology

    Measurements

    Encapsulation efficiency
    31.7%
    cationic liposomes
    Encapsulation efficiency
    20%
    anionic liposomes

    Source sentences

    Summary
    As the best carriers, 25 mg/cm3 CL and AL hydrated with 0.5 mg/cm3 GHK-Cu were selected with EE of 31.7 ± 0.9% and 20.0 ± 2.8%, respectively.

    In this study, GHK-Cu 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 GHK-Cu.

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.

  1. Version 3Current

    9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:56 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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