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KPV research

What published studies found for KPV: 9 papers, 0 in humans, with sample sizes and key results.

C
Mostly animal studies
Why: Several mouse and rat colitis studies and cell work show anti-inflammatory effects; no human trials.

KPV (Lys-Pro-Val, the tail end of alpha-MSH) has consistent anti-inflammatory effects in mouse and rat colitis models and in human cell cultures, with newer rodent work on obesity and fat metabolism, but no human clinical trials were found.

✓ 7 positive~ 1 mixed? 1 inconclusive

No human safety data in the published literature.

US compounding: Recommended for compounding, not legal yet. FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted on July 23-24, 2026 to recommend adding it to the 503A bulks list (FDA staff had recommended against). The vote isn't binding: compounding stays illegal until FDA accepts it and finishes proposed and final rulemaking, which typically takes a year or more. Vote: 8-6 (evaluated for wound healing and inflammatory conditions). Status for every peptide.

Browse and filter these papersKPV prices and vendors

Reviews

? InconclusivereviewEndocr Rev · 2008

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, and future perspectives for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.

No new dataNarrative review

Review of alpha-MSH and related tripeptides: anti-inflammatory effects are well documented in animal and cell models, and KPV is proposed as a non-tanning alternative for future skin and bowel inflammation therapy; no clinical data cited.

Studied
Literature on alpha-MSH and related tripeptides (KPV, KdPT)
Authors' conclusion
KPV keeps the anti-inflammatory effect of alpha-MSH without its pigmentary action, and KPV and KdPT are suggested as suitable future treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Limitations
Narrative review; no original data.
PubMed 18612139DOI

Animal & lab studies

✓ PositiveanimalGastroenterology · 2008

PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation.

Humans and animalsIn vitro assays plus two mouse colitis models, KPV in drinking water

KPV entered intestinal and immune cells via the PepT1 transporter, blocked NF-kB inflammatory signaling at nanomolar levels, and given in drinking water reduced chemically induced colitis in mice.

Studied
Human intestinal epithelial cells (Caco2-BBE, HT29-Cl.19A), Jurkat T cells, and DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis in mice
Main outcome
NF-kappaB and MAP kinase signaling, cytokines, colitis histology
Authors' conclusion
Nanomolar KPV inhibited NF-kappaB and MAP kinase signaling via PepT1; oral KPV reduced the incidence of DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis, suggesting a possible new IBD therapy.
Limitations
Cell and mouse models only.
PubMed 18061177DOIFree full text
✓ PositiveanimalInflamm Bowel Dis · 2008

Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease.

AnimalsTwo murine models of intestinal inflammation

In two mouse colitis models, KPV sped weight recovery and reduced colon inflammation; in mice lacking a working MC1 receptor it prevented death from colitis.

Studied
Mice with DSS colitis, CD45RB(hi) transfer colitis, and MC1R-nonfunctional (MC1Re/e) mice
Compared with
Untreated colitis mice
Main outcome
Weight loss, colon histology, myeloperoxidase activity
Authors' conclusion
KPV showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in two murine colitis models, partly independent of MC1R signaling, suggesting it as a therapeutic option for IBD.
Limitations
Mouse models only.
PubMed 18092346DOI
✓ PositiveanimalMol Ther · 2017

Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis.

Humans and animalsHyaluronic acid-functionalized KPV nanoparticles in a chitosan/alginate hydrogel, given orally

Oral KPV packaged in hyaluronic-acid nanoparticles reduced mucosal damage and TNF-alpha in a mouse ulcerative colitis model more than a non-targeted formulation.

Studied
Colonic epithelial cells, macrophages and a mouse ulcerative colitis model
Compared with
KPV-NP/hydrogel without hyaluronic acid
Main outcome
Mucosal damage and TNF-alpha
Authors' conclusion
The HA-KPV-NP/hydrogel system delivered KPV to colitis tissue and alleviated ulcerative colitis in mice, performing better than the KPV-NP/hydrogel system.
Limitations
Mouse model; formulation study.
PubMed 28143741DOIFree full text
~ MixedanimalJ Pharmacol Exp Ther · 2003

Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides.

Humans and animalsComparison of KPV with other MSH peptides

In mouse peritonitis, KPV reduced white-cell influx, but unlike alpha-MSH it did not reduce macrophage cytokine release in vitro, suggesting a different, non-melanocortin-receptor mechanism.

Studied
Mice with crystal- or IL-1beta-induced peritonitis, MC1-R mutant (e/e) mice, and macrophages in vitro
Compared with
alpha-MSH, core HFRW peptide, MTII, MS05
Main outcome
Leukocyte accumulation in peritoneum, macrophage activation, cAMP
Authors' conclusion
KPV has an anti-inflammatory effect clearly different from the core MSH peptides; it is unlikely to act through melanocortin receptors and more likely by inhibiting IL-1beta functions.
Limitations
Mouse and cell models; KPV did not inhibit macrophage activation in vitro.
PubMed 12750433DOI
✓ PositiveanimalTissue Cell · 2026

KPV attenuates adipogenesis and lipid metabolism through modulation of ROS-mediated AKT/mTORC1/PPARγ signaling.

Humans and animalsIn vitro differentiation assay plus in vivo mouse diet-induced obesity model

In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes KPV dose-dependently suppressed fat-cell differentiation (about 55% less Oil Red O staining at 100 ug/mL), and orally dosed KPV reduced weight gain and dyslipidemia in high-fat-diet mice.

Key resultAt 100 ug/mL KPV reduced Oil Red O staining by approximately 55% and triglyceride content by approximately 38%
Studied
3T3-L1 mouse preadipocytes and high-fat-diet-induced obese mice
Compared with
MDI-treated cells without KPV; untreated obese mice
Main outcome
Lipid accumulation, adipogenic markers, body weight and plasma lipids
Authors' conclusion
The authors suggest KPV suppresses adipocyte differentiation partly via ROS-related AKT/mTOR/PPARgamma signaling and may be a candidate for obesity prevention.
Limitations
Cell and mouse data only; mechanism is associative.
PubMed 42585803DOI
✓ PositiveanimalACS Biomater Sci Eng · 2021

Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats.

AnimalsFormulation study with controlled rat colitis model

In rats with TNBS-induced colitis, rectal KPV in a thiol cross-linked gamma-polyglutamic-acid hydrogel (which stabilised the peptide) reduced weight loss, disease activity and colonic myeloperoxidase; delivery-system study.

Studied
Rats with TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis
Main outcome
Body weight loss, disease activity index, colon length, myeloperoxidase
Authors' conclusion
The hydrogel improved KPV stability and enhanced its therapeutic effect on colitis in rats after rectal administration.
Limitations
Rat model; tests a delivery vehicle for KPV, so the effect of KPV alone is not isolated; no human data.
PubMed 34547895DOI
✓ Positivein vitroInt J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol · 2012

Inhibition of cellular and systemic inflammation cues in human bronchial epithelial cells by melanocortin-related peptides: mechanism of KPV action and a role for MC3R agonists.

Cells / labIn vitro NF-kB reporter and chemokine secretion assays

In human bronchial epithelial cells, KPV dose-dependently suppressed NF-kB signaling and IL-8 and eotaxin secretion by blocking nuclear import of p65.

Studied
Immortalised human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE14o-)
Compared with
gamma-MSH
Main outcome
NF-kB signaling, MMP-9 activity, IL8 and eotaxin secretion
Authors' conclusion
KPV and gamma-MSH suppress NF-kB signalling in airway epithelium, KPV by inhibiting p65RelA nuclear import and gamma-MSH via MC3R, providing a mechanism for targeting airway inflammation.
Limitations
In vitro cell line study.
PubMed 22837805Free full text
✓ Positivein vitroTissue Cell · 2025

Lysine-Proline-Valine peptide mitigates fine dust-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Cells / labIn vitro study

In human keratinocytes and a 3D skin model exposed to fine dust, KPV restored cell viability and lowered IL-1beta and oxidative stress.

Key resultKPV at 50 μg/mL restored cell viability and reduced IL-1β secretion disrupted by PM10
Studied
Human HaCaT keratinocytes and a 3D skin model exposed to PM10
Compared with
PM10 without KPV
Main outcome
Cell viability, IL-1β secretion, ROS and apoptosis markers
Authors' conclusion
KPV appears to protect keratinocytes by mitigating PM10-induced pyroptosis and may be a candidate for preventing pollutant-related skin damage.
Limitations
In vitro and 3D skin model only.
PubMed 40073467DOI

Verdicts are judged on each paper's own main outcome; grades run from A (strong human evidence) to D (little or none). Details are read from the abstracts, and figures are reproduced only from openly licensed full texts. Not medical advice.