KPV
A tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH with potent anti-inflammatory properties, studied for inflammatory bowel disease and skin conditions.
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This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
What is KPV?
KPV is a tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) derived from the C-terminal end of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). Despite being only three amino acids, it retains the potent anti-inflammatory properties of the full hormone without melanocortin receptor activation. It has shown promise for inflammatory bowel disease, wound healing, and various inflammatory conditions.
Why People Talk About It
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment
EmergingGeneral anti-inflammatory effects
EmergingWound healing and skin inflammation
EmergingGut barrier repair
PreliminaryHow It Works
KPV is a tiny anti-inflammatory peptide that enters cells and directly turns off the inflammation switch (NF-kB). It's particularly promising for gut inflammation because it can be taken orally and act directly on inflamed intestinal tissue.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Not FDA-approved
- • Limited human clinical data
- • Optimal dosing not established
What We Don't Know
Human safety profile is not well-established. Most data comes from cell culture and animal studies.
Published Research
19 studiesAlpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, and future perspectives for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases
KPV and RAPA Self-Assembled into Carrier-Free Nanodrugs for Vascular Calcification Therapy
A KPV-binding double-network hydrogel restores gut mucosal barrier in an inflamed colon
Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats
In situ mucoadhesive hydrogel capturing tripeptide KPV: the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and repairing effect on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis
Structural modification of the tripeptide KPV by reductive "glycoalkylation" of the lysine residue
Transdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV) Peptide Across Microporated Human Skin
Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis
Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of the anti-inflammatory PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV in a murine model
Stability-indicating HPLC assay for lysine-proline-valine (KPV) in aqueous solutions and skin homogenates
Inhibition of cellular and systemic inflammation cues in human bronchial epithelial cells by melanocortin-related peptides: mechanism of KPV action and a role for MC3R agonists
PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation
Structure-antifungal activity relationship of His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2 and analogues
Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides
Conformational analysis of tripeptide Ac-Lys-Pro-Val-NH2, COOH-terminal sequence of alpha-MSH
Potent and prolonged melanotropic activities of the alpha-MSH fragment analog, Ac-[Nle4,D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH4-9-NH2
Cyclic melanotropins. 5. Importance of the C-terminal tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val)
Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease
alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH 11-13 KPV and adrenocorticotropic hormone signalling in human keratinocyte cells
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Related Peptides
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Larazotide
ModerateBeginnerA synthetic peptide that regulates intestinal tight junctions, in clinical trials for celiac disease and studied for leaky gut conditions.
Thymosin Alpha-1
StrongA thymic peptide approved in multiple countries for immune modulation, particularly in hepatitis and as a vaccine adjuvant.
Quick Facts
- Class
- Anti-Inflammatory Tripeptide
- Evidence
- Emerging
- Safety
- Limited Data
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 19PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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