KPV — 10mg

KPV (Lysine-Proline-Valine) is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). While the full 13-amino acid α-MSH acts through melanocortin receptors to drive pigmentation, appetite regulation, and peripheral anti-inflammatory effects, the KPV fragment isolates the anti-inflammatory activity through a melanocortin-receptor-independent pathway. This mechanistic separation is what makes KPV attractive as a research compound: the immunomodulatory effects of α-MSH without the off-target receptor engagement.

At the cellular level, KPV suppresses NF-κB signaling — the master transcriptional regulator of inflammatory gene expression — and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine output including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. The tripeptide enters cells via the PepT1 transporter, which is highly expressed in intestinal epithelium. This tissue-specific uptake has positioned KPV as a leading candidate for research into inflammatory bowel disease, where systemic anti-inflammatories often produce acceptable efficacy only at doses that drive immunosuppressive side effects.

Animal models of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis have demonstrated that oral KPV reduces colonic inflammation, preserves crypt architecture, and restores tight junction integrity at doses orders of magnitude below systemic α-MSH equivalents. Parallel research has examined topical and mucosal applications for psoriasis and allergic contact dermatitis. Its small size and peptidase resistance (conferred by the proline residue) make it stable across multiple routes of administration — a practical advantage that has expanded its use in formulation research.