CosmeticsWADA Prohibited
Melanotan II
Synonyms: MT-2, MT-II, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
Sequence: Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2
Critical Safety & Regulatory Notice
Melanotan II is classified as a regulated, unapproved, or research-only substance. Doping/Regulatory Status: Not FDA approved. Strictly prohibited by WADA under Section S2.. Clinical safety profiles for human use are deficient or not approved.
History & Discovery Timeline
Melanotan II was developed at the University of Arizona alongside Melanotan I. The cyclization makes it highly stable, but also increases binding to other melanocortin receptors.
What it is: It is a cyclic synthetic analog of alpha-MSH. It falls under Anti-aging/Cosmetic.
Proposed Mechanisms & Research Findings: It binds to MC1R (skin tanning), MC3R/MC4R (appetite and libido regulation), stimulating melanin production and sexual arousal.
Regulatory & Safety Status: It is not FDA approved and is associated with serious side effects (hypertension, melanoma risk, priapism). Sourcing online is illegal and dangerous.
Athletic & Anti-Doping Status: Strictly prohibited by WADA under Section S2 as a melanocortin agonist.
Understanding Melanotan II Key Facts
Primary Target System:NEUROENDOCRINE
Residue Count / Length:10 Amino Acids
Primary Action & Category:Non-selective Melanocortin Receptor Agonist (Cosmetics)
Primary Receptors:Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R), Melanocortin 3 & 4 Receptors (MC3R/MC4R)
Figure 1: Detailed molecular mechanism pathways of Melanotan II (click to enlarge).