Immune & inflammation

KPV

Name: KPV: uses, evidence and safety
Creator: Cited Peptides Editorial

Gut and skin inflammation. A short fragment of the hormone alpha-MSH.

By Cited Peptides Editorial Updated 2026-10-10 Medical review pending

This page has not yet been reviewed by a credentialed medical professional. It is educational and is not medical advice.

KPV: key facts

Evidence level Animal studies only
Approved as a medicineNo
Randomized trials on PubMed0
Papers on PubMed39
Trials testing it (ClinicalTrials.gov)None found
In tested sportCheck the current WADA Prohibited List

In one sentence: KPV is not an approved medicine. Its strongest evidence is animal studies, with 0 randomized trials on PubMed that mention it.

What the evidence says

Cell and animal studies of inflammation. No controlled human trials found.

Key studies

Reviews Summaries of other studies.

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.2000 The neuropeptide alpha-MSH in host defense Ann N Y Acad Sci PMID 11268348 → Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.2000 The neuroimmunomodulatory peptide alpha-MSH Ann N Y Acad Sci PMID 11268347 → Review2010 Terminal signal: anti-inflammatory effects of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone related peptides beyond the pharmacophore Adv Exp Med Biol PMID 21222263 → Review2026 A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review J Sports Med Phys Fitness PMID 41880199 →

Other notable papers The most relevant other papers on PubMed.

2026 Inflammation-triggered self-immolative conjugates enable oral peptide delivery by overcoming gastrointestinal barriers Sci Adv PMID 41533788 → Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't2004 alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone, MSH 11-13 KPV and adrenocorticotropic hormone signalling in human keratinocyte cells J Invest Dermatol PMID 15102092 → Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't2003 Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides J Pharmacol Exp Ther PMID 12750433 → Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.2017 Transdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV) Peptide Across Microporated Human Skin J Pharm Sci PMID 28343991 →

See its full evidence profile and newest papers →

Clinical trials

No registered trials list KPV as a treatment.

That usually means it hasn't been properly tested in people.

Search all trials live →

Where it fits

GoalPeptides for injury recovery GoalPeptides for gut health GoalPeptides for immune support ComparisonKPV vs Thymosin alpha-1

Common questions

Is KPV approved?

No. KPV is not an approved medicine in the US or Canada.

Has KPV been tested in people?

No randomized trials of KPV are listed on PubMed. Cell and animal studies of inflammation. No controlled human trials found.

Is KPV allowed in sport?

Check the current WADA Prohibited List; unapproved substances can be banned under its catch-all category.

This is a short, data-driven profile. Study and trial lists come from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov and are refreshed periodically. "What people use it for" describes common claims, not recommendations. Educational only, not medical advice.