Melanotan I MT1
Alpha-MSH analogue
Synthetic alpha-MSH analogue (afamelanotide) acting mainly at the melanocortin-1 receptor, studied in melanocyte and pigmentation research.
Evidence level. Published human clinical data exists, from trials or approved use. About the badges
- Class
- Alpha-MSH analogue
- Category
- Skin, Hair & Cosmetic
- Type
- Single compound
- Abbreviation
- MT1
- Development and regulatory status
- Afamelanotide approved for erythropoietic protoporphyria (FDA 2019); not approved otherwise
What researchers study
Melanotan I is a synthetic analogue of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, known as afamelanotide or NDP-alpha-MSH. It acts mainly on the melanocortin-1 receptor to increase eumelanin production in melanocytes.
Research areas
- Melanocortin-1 receptor signalling and eumelanin synthesis
- Photoprotection and phototoxicity models
- Pigmentation biology in melanocyte cultures
- Erythropoietic protoporphyria clinical research
Reported findings
Summaries of published results. Each one is tagged with the type of study behind it. They describe research outcomes and are not claims about any product. Why study type matters.
- human trial
In a US randomised placebo-controlled trial in erythropoietic protoporphyria, median pain-free direct sunlight time was 69.4 hours versus 40.8 with placebo (P = 0.04)
- review
A 2026 systematic review linked unregulated melanotan I and II use to serious adverse events, including rhabdomyolysis, renal infarction and priapism
Studied alongside
Compounds that appear together in research because their mechanisms complement each other, or as comparators. The reasons given are research reasoning, not recommendations for use.
- Melanotan II (MT-2 Acetate)Cyclic non-selective melanocortin analogue compared with MC1R-focused afamelanotide in pigmentation research
- KPVAlpha-MSH fragment with anti-inflammatory rather than pigmentary activity
