Melanotan II 10mg

Melanotan II (MT-II) is a cyclic heptapeptide analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and a potent non-selective agonist at melanocortin receptors MC1R, MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. Contexx Research supplies Melanotan II in Canada as a 10 mg lyophilized reference peptide for melanocortin receptor research.

Melanotan II specifications

Research overview

MT-II was developed at the University of Arizona in the 1990s. A lactam bridge between Asp and Lys cyclises the core α-MSH pharmacophore (His-Phe-Arg-Trp), and D-Phe at position 7 improves stability and receptor affinity. The discovery and early development of MT-I and MT-II are reviewed by Hadley and colleagues [1].

Because it activates several melanocortin receptor subtypes, MT-II is widely used as a reference agonist in rodent studies of central melanocortin signalling. One mouse study, for example, found that MT-II-induced hypothermia depended on mast-cell activation and histamine H1 receptors rather than on melanocortin receptors alone [2].

Medicinal chemists continue to use MT-II as a scaffold. A 2022 study in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry applied CLIPS peptide stapling to MT-II to generate analogues with different functional selectivity across human melanocortin receptors [3].

Selected references

1. Hadley ME et al. Pharm Biotechnol. 1998. PubMed 9760697
2. Jain S et al. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2018. PubMed 29812984
3. Tomassi S et al. J Med Chem. 2022. PubMed 35188390

Storage and handling

Melanotan II ships as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Dry material is far more stable than material in solution, so keep it in its dry, sealed state until you need it.

• Store unopened vials of Melanotan II at −20 °C, dry and protected from light. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation.
• Prepare stock solutions in a solvent suited to your assay, label them with concentration and date, and keep them at 2–8 °C for short-term use.
• For longer storage of solutions, divide them into single-use aliquots and freeze them; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
• Handle with gloves and eye protection, following your laboratory’s standard chemical-hygiene practice.

See our guide to storing lyophilized peptides in the lab for more detail.

Quality and testing

Contexx Research independently tests every batch it releases. A lot-specific COA for Melanotan II isn’t linked on this page yet. For questions about testing, contact info@contexxresearch.ca.

We don’t list purity figures in this description; the lot COA is the reference for identity and purity. Researchers should confirm identity and concentration with their own analytical methods where their protocol requires it.

Frequently asked questions

What’s included when I order Melanotan II 10 mg?

One sealed vial containing 10 mg of Melanotan II as a lyophilized powder. Reconstitution solution is sold separately.

Does Melanotan II come with a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?

Every batch Contexx Research releases is independently tested. A lot-specific COA isn’t linked on this page yet; for testing questions, contact info@contexxresearch.ca.

How fast is shipping in Canada?

Orders are processed Monday to Friday, and most orders ship within 24 hours from Mississauga, Ontario, in secure, tamper-evident packaging. Orders placed on Friday afternoon (after the 12:00 PM ET cut-off) ship on Monday, when Canada Post resumes pickup, or on the next business day if Monday is a statutory holiday. Once your order ships, delivery typically takes 1–3 business days in Ontario and Quebec and 2–6 business days in the rest of Canada, and a tracking number is emailed to you. Orders over $250 CAD shipped within Canada qualify for free standard shipping. See our Shipping Policy for details.

How should Melanotan II be stored?

Store unopened vials at −20 °C, dry and protected from light. After reconstitution, keep solutions at 2–8 °C for short-term use, or freeze single-use aliquots and avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles.

What does “research use only” mean?

“Research use only” means Melanotan II is sold only as a reference material for in-vitro laboratory and analytical research by qualified professionals. It is not for use in humans or animals, not for diagnostic use, and not a drug, natural health product, food, supplement or cosmetic.

Research use only

Melanotan II is sold by Contexx Research Inc. strictly as a reference material for in-vitro laboratory research and analytical use by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, natural health product, food, dietary supplement or cosmetic. It is not intended for use in humans or animals, for diagnostic purposes, or for ingestion or any other form of administration to a living organism. Nothing on this page describes or implies any effect in humans or animals. Purchasers are responsible for handling, storage and disposal in line with applicable laws and their institution’s policies. By ordering, you confirm that you are purchasing for legitimate laboratory research and agree to our Terms and Conditions.