KPV: the basics
What is it?
A three-amino-acid fragment of a hormone called alpha-MSH, studied for effects on inflammation.
Research paper ↗What do people claim it helps with?
Gut inflammation, skin irritation and inflammatory conditions. These remain proposed uses rather than established treatments.
What has research actually shown?
Cell studies and mouse models of colitis found changes in inflammation. This does not establish relief of inflammatory bowel disease in patients.
Research paper ↗Has this been demonstrated in people?
Laboratory and animal studies. FDA reports it has not identified human exposure data for KPV.
Research paper ↗What side effects, risks and unknowns should I understand?
Human side effects, interactions and long-term safety are unknown. A short peptide can still have biological effects and product-quality risks.
FDA safety information ↗Is it an approved medicine?
No FDA-approved medicine contains this peptide. Availability online or through a clinic does not mean it has been approved.
FDA safety information ↗Approval here means U.S. FDA approval and applies to a particular product, formulation and use. This is a starting overview, not a complete side-effect list. Sources checked 10 October 2026; independent scientific review pending.
How is it used or studied?
Studied using specific research preparations. There is no FDA-approved treatment formulation; an online vial, capsule or spray is not necessarily the product used in a study.
Different routes and formulations can have different effects. A study of one product does not validate every product with the same peptide name.
A common misunderstanding
A mouse model of colitis is not the same as treating Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis in people.
What should I ask a clinician?
- What diagnosis or goal are we trying to address, and what established options are available?
- Was the expected benefit shown in people like me, using this exact product?
- How could my medicines, health conditions or pregnancy plans affect the risks?
- What monitoring is needed, and what would tell us the treatment is helping or should be stopped?
What do the research words mean?
- Peptide
- A short chain of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
- Preclinical
- Research in cells, tissues or animals before dependable treatment evidence in people.
- Controlled trial
- A study comparing a treatment with another treatment or a placebo to help separate its effects from other explanations.
- Biomarker
- A measurement, such as a hormone level. A change does not necessarily mean someone feels better or lives longer.
KPV Evidence & Clinical Profile
Human Study Limits
KPV has been investigated in clinical contexts. Patient outcomes must be evaluated against study size, design, and control cohorts.
Laboratory & In Vivo Assays
Cellular and animal disease models examine receptor binding affinities and signaling cascades, which require human confirmation.
What is KPV?
Lysine-Proline-Valine Tripeptide is A synthetic tripeptide corresponding to the C-terminal amino acids 11–13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Evaluated in preclinical models for anti-inflammatory effects mediated by NF-kappa-B suppression without melanogenic pigment induction. Aliases include: alpha-MSH (11-13), Lys-Pro-Val, C-terminal MSH fragment.
- Sequence (one-letter)
- KPV
- Molecular formula
- C16H30N4O4
- Molecular weight
- 342.43 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 2828433-34-5
- UNII Code
- HX2YJ5Z225
- PubChem CID
- 9949939
FDA registers only the acetate salt of KPV; the UNII and CAS shown are for Lys-Pro-Val acetate. Formula and weight are for the free base.
Identifiers checked against PubChem and FDA's Global Substance Registration System on 13 October 2026. FDA substance record ↗ · PubChem record ↗ See all names and codes in the peptide name index.
Clinical Trials & Human Cohorts
Human research can examine tolerability, symptoms or patient outcomes. The design and comparator determine what each result can establish.
How the compound may work
Mechanisms describe how KPV may affect biological processes. Laboratory findings and patient outcomes answer different questions.
NF-kappa-B and MAP Kinase Inhibition
Nanomolar KPV inhibited activation of NF-kappa-B and MAP kinase inflammatory signaling and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. [2]
PepT1 Transporter Mediated Uptake
KPV is taken up into cells by the di/tripeptide transporter PepT1, which the authors found mediates its anti-inflammatory effect. [2]
Areas Being Studied
These research topics reflect active areas of scientific exploration, distinct from unverified commercial marketing claims.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
KPV led to earlier recovery and weight regain and reduced inflammatory infiltrates and myeloperoxidase activity; effects appeared at least partly independent of MC1R. [3]
Cutaneous & Other Inflammation
Proposed as an anti-inflammatory candidate for skin, bowel, lung and ocular inflammation because it retains alpha-MSH's anti-inflammatory effect without its pigmentary action. [1]
Compare the study designs.
| Study | Design / sample | Outcome type | Key limitation |
|---|
Regulatory Status & Clinical Safety
Regulatory Classification
Unapproved research substance; not evaluated by FDA or EMA.
Safety Realities & Impurities
Safety depends on the molecule, formulation, route and evidence. A laboratory purity measurement alone cannot establish safety for human use.
Clinical Trials Registry Records
Official registry records from ClinicalTrials.gov. Study registration does not imply government endorsement or guaranteed efficacy.
WADA & Anti-Doping Regulations
WADA Section S0: Prohibited Substance
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) classifies KPV under Section S0 of the Prohibited List. Prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition). Last verified: October 2026.
Research Timeline
-
2008
PepT1 Transport
Dalmasso and colleagues report PepT1-mediated KPV uptake and reduced colitis in mice. [2]
-
2008
Colitis Models
KPV shows anti-inflammatory effects in two murine colitis models. [3]
-
2008
Review
KPV described as an alpha-MSH-derived anti-inflammatory tripeptide lacking pigmentary effects. [1]
-
2026
Clinical Status
Remains an experimental preclinical reagent with no registered Phase 3 trials. [4]
What Researchers Still Don't Know
Long-term safety profiles
Multi-year observational data in broader heterogeneous cohorts remains uncharacterized.
Optimal dose-response thresholds
Comparative trials optimizing minimal effective exposure versus adverse event rates.
Formulation bioavailability
Differences between oral, subcutaneous, and modified peptide delivery vehicles.
References
Primary sources verified against PubMed / NLM and regulatory databases.
- Review
-
Animal Study
PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation ↗ (external website)
- Animal Study
- Review