α-MSH (11-13) (free acid) is a synthetic, nonsteroidal compound that binds to and activates α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptors. It has been used as an antiinflammatory agent in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and bowel disease. It is also being studied as a contraceptive and an elastase inhibitor. This drug has shown some promise in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. It is thought that α-MSH (11-13) (free acid) acetate salt may inhibit the production of inflammatory cells by inhibiting leukocyte elastase activity.
ChEBI: Lys-Pro-Val is an oligopeptide.
The C-terminal tripeptide α-MSH(11–13), also known as KPV (L-Lys-L-Pro-L-Val), exhibited anti-inflammation without induction of cutaneous pigmentation in a frog skin bioassay. The underlying molecular mechanisms of the α-MSH(11–13) anti-inflammatory properties have not been determined in detail. However, they are related to an inhibition of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide production in a model of LPS-stimulated murine microglial cell culture[1]. Furthermore, it has been recently shown that α-MSH(11–13) reduces activation of NF-κB and decreases its translocation into the nucleus by interaction with importin family proteins.
[1] Eva-Verena Schaible. “Single administration of tripeptide α-MSH(11-13) attenuates brain damage by reduced inflammation and apoptosis after experimental traumatic brain injury in mice.” PLoS ONE (2013): e71056.
