KPV
KPV — the anti-inflammatory α-MSH fragment: evidence & status

Class: peptide
Synonyms: KPV
Lys-Pro-Val (Lysine-Proline-Valine)
α-MSH(11-13)
the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. MW ~342 Da. INCI: none
Function tags: anti-inflammatory
gut / IBD
(also studied:) dermatitis, wound healing, antimicrobial — research context
Overall evidence grade: C
WADA prohibited: no
Last updated: 2026-07-13

In brief: KPV is the anti-inflammatory C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH — the same hormone behind the melanotan and PT-141 peptides, but stripped of all melanocortin-receptor activity (no tanning, no appetite effect). It works intracellularly via the PepT1 transporter to block NF-κB, which makes it a gut/IBD-focused anti-inflammatory that can even be given orally. It has two decades of preclinical data (strongest in colitis models) but no human clinical trials, and it's currently under FDA compounding review (July 2026).

## Identity a **tripeptide** (3 amino acids → peptide) that is the **C-terminal fragment (residues 11–13) of α-MSH** — whose full sequence is SYSMEHFRW-G-**KPV**. It retains the parent hormone's **anti-inflammatory** activity while shedding its pigmentary/appetite (melanocortin) activity. ## Mechanism (as proposed) KPV is taken into intestinal epithelial and immune cells via the **PepT1** di/tripeptide transporter (up-regulated in inflamed colon), where it **inhibits NF-κB and MAP-kinase signalling**, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine output. Critically, this is **independent of melanocortin receptors** — the feature that separates its anti-inflammatory action from the pigmentary/appetite effects of full-length α-MSH.

Evidence grades by outcome:
outcome: Anti-inflammatory / colitis / IBD (preclinical)
grade: C
base: Substantial preclinical (Dalmasso PepT1; Kannengiesser 2008 DSS/TNBS; Xiao 2017 nanoparticle)
effect: Reduces intestinal inflammation
caveat: Strong, mechanistically well-characterised animal data — but no human trials
outcome: PepT1 / NF-κB mechanism
base: Dalmasso et al. + PepT1-knockout confirmation
effect: Genuine, receptor-independent
caveat: Established preclinically; not melanocortin-mediated
outcome: Human use (IBD, dermatitis, gut healing — the marketed use)
grade: F
base: None
effect: Not demonstrated
caveat: Zero completed human RCTs in any indication
outcome: Antimicrobial (S. aureus, C. albicans)
grade: D
base: Preclinical
effect: Suggestive
caveat: Lab/preclinical
outcome: Safety
base: Preclinical + preliminary
effect: Favourable so far
caveat: No melanocortin activity (so no pigmentation/appetite/BP effects); stable; but no human safety data

Legal status:
region: US
status: Not FDA-approved (gray-market)
note: Not FDA-approved. In the July 2026 PCAC review batch for 503A compounding (regulatory status in flux through the 2025–2026 review). Sold gray-market as a "research" peptide (often for gut health, sometimes alongside BPC-157).
region: EU
status: Not approved
note: not approved.

Cosmetic claims:

Note: Reference entry — not sold here. The intrigue: it's a fragment of the same hormone behind the tanning and libido peptides (α-MSH) — but it's the anti-inflammatory tail that does NOT act like a melanocortin at all. In the July 2026 FDA PCAC batch alongside BPC-157, TB-500 and MOTS-c. No dosing published here.
Status note: FDA compounding status evolving — re-check the July PCAC outcome

Sources:
Dalmasso G, et al. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. (PMC2431115.) (KPV effect is PepT1-mediated, not melanocortin-receptor-mediated.)
Kannengiesser K, et al. (Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV in two murine IBD models.) 2008.
Xiao B, et al. (HA-functionalised nanoparticles for oral KPV delivery in DSS colitis.) 2017.
Brzoska T, et al. (α-MSH and its C-terminal fragments — anti-inflammatory review.) Endocr Rev. 2008.