Description
Melanotan II is a synthetic analogue of the melanocortin peptide hormone alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that occurs naturally. In usage, Melanotan II has been revealed to have aphrodisiac and melanogenesis (tanning) effects that have been subjected to clinical trials and preliminary studies. The compound is a cyclic lactam analogue of α-MSH that has an amino sequence named MTII (Ac-Nle-c[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2). Notably, no government drug regulatory agency across the world had approved for the use of any compound incorporating the Melanotan II peptide by 2010
Historical Development
Melanotan II was first developed at the University of Arizona. Various studies conducted at the institution confirmed that the best defence against skin cancer was melanin activated in the skin, a tan. The researchers assumed that an effective procedure to reduce the rates of skin cancer in individuals would be by inducing the body’s natural pigmentary system to produce a tan that would be protective before exposure to UV. Melanogenesis is a process by which the skin’s pigment cells (melanocytes) produce the hormone α-MSH naturally causes the skin's pigment (melanin).
After numerous clinical trials by administration of the endogenous hormone to the body, the scientists found that though it appeared to work, α-MSH had a very short half-life in the body to be practical as a therapeutic drug. Therefore, they opted to look for a more stable and potent alternative that would be more practical. Subsequently, after numerous trials, they developed Melanotan I and after that Melanotan II.
Uses
Malanotan II is used for tanning of the skin and producing of erections in men with erectile dysfunction when administered as a shot under the skin. Malanotan II is safe when used under strict medical supervision for treating erectile dysfunction. However, it may cause stomach cramps, tiredness, nausea, spontaneous erections of the penis, and darkened skin.
BENEFITS OF A MELANOTAN II
Darker tan with less exposure to UV radiation
Tanning without sunburn, even for fair-skinned individuals
Possible reduction in the risk of Melanoma (skin cancer)
Possible reduction in the incidence of sun-damaged skin
Possible reduction in body fat
No sunburn, n tan lines
No sunless tanning streaks or fake tan removal
Possible increase libido
During clinical trials for its use as a tanning agent, melanotan II was found to be a potent stimulator of male erections. It has also been shown to increase female sexual desire in patients with sexual arousal disorder).
SIDE EFFECTS
Short term side effects after administration include:
Facial flushing
Reduced appetite, nausea and vomiting
In males, spontaneous erections 1-5 hours after administration (priapism), associated with yawning and stretching complex
Long term, there is concern that melanotan II may increase the risk of:
Melanoma – a potentially serious form of skin cancer
Deepening of the color of moles, new moles and atypical melanocytic naevi
Melanonychia – brown to black discoloration of one or more nails
Suggested usage: daily for 1 - 2 weeks then one to two times weekly for maintenance.
Controversy
Melanotan II is widely sold online and in beauty salons as well as gyms as melanotan in their marketing. These products purport to contain the same chemical composition as afamelanotide. These products have been declared illegal and do not have the same chemical components as Melanotan II. As such, countries issues warnings against their use.
Dosage
Melanotan 2 has a half life of ~33 hours, this allows you to be very flexible with dosing. Recommended dosages start at 250mcg every day to help your body acclimatize to the peptide and minimize the side effects. You can continue with this dose indefinitely if you are intending to do a low dosage regimen.
If you want to dose higher, after 2-4 days, whenever you feel comfortable, up the dose to 500mcg. 500mcg is the most common dosage amount administed by users. You can increase the dose as far as about 1mg but any higher is generally not advised and the users dosing 1mg/dose normally weigh around the 100kg mark.
Uses
Melanotan II acetate salt has been used to study its inhibitory effects on feeding and energy expenditure in rats. It is a lab-made chemical that is similar to a hormone found in people. Melanotan II has been shown to have melanogenesis (tanning) and aphrodisiac effects on humans.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Melanotan II is a MC3-R/MC4-R melanocortin agonist. It is a high affinity melanocortin receptor agonist (Ki values are 0.67, 6.6, 34 and 46 nM for MC1, MC4, MC3 and MC5 receptors respectively). Stimulates erectile activity, inhibits food intake and displays neuroprotective properties in vivo.
Clinical Use
Melanotan II has been a new treatment for rosacea discussed in the various rosacea support groups on the internet.
Melanotan I and Melanotan II are both analogs of the peptide hormone alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) that tend to induce skin tanning. Melanotan II has the additional effect of increasing libido.
Melanotan II is an α-MSH analog which underwent clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Preliminary double-blind, placebo-controlled studies demonstrated the efficacy of melanotan in inducing penile erection in men with erectile dysfunction, although in a very restricted population.Unfortunately, there are no experimental data on the mode of action of melanotan II, as melanotan II is the first α-MSH agonist inducing penile erection when injected peripherally.
Illustration of the proerectile effect of melanotan II (MT-II) in humans. Placebo (A) or MT-II (B, 25 ug/kg and C, 133 ug/kg) was injected subcutaneously in patients and RigiScan recording was performed from 6 h. Apparent erections developed in 8 of 10 men treated with MT-II. (Reproduced with permission from Wessells H et al. Effect of an alphamelanocyte stimulating hormone analog on penile erection and sexual desire in men with organic erectile dysfunction. Urology 2000; 56:641–646.)
Side effects
When given as a shot: Melanotan is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when given as a shot. It can causes nausea, stomachcramps, decreased appetite, flushing, tiredness, yawning, darkened skin, spontaneous erections of the penis, and other side effects. In some people, especially those with light skin, a change in the shape of moles, new moles, and skin cancer, have all occurred in people using melanotan.
References
[1] SOPHIA HATZIIEREMIA. A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectroscopic method for quantification of the cyclic peptide melanotan-II. Plasma and brain tissue concentrations following administration in mice[J]. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 2007. DOI:
10.1002/rcm.3106.
[2] WEKWEJTPATRYK KirykAnna WojdaUrszula. Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet.[J]. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2023. DOI:
10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115129.
[3] HJULER K F, LORENTZEN H F. Melanoma Associated with the Use of Melanotan-II[J]. Dermatology, 2013, 228: 34-36. DOI:
10.1159/000356389.
[4] DORR R T, LINES R, LEVINE N, et al. Evaluation of melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study.[J]. Life sciences, 1996, 58 20: 1777-1784. DOI:
10.1016/0024-3205(96)00160-9.
