PAL-AHK

Description

Pal-GHK Peptide
Palmitoyl-GHK, also known as palmitoyl-tripeptide-1, is a synthetic hybrid molecule consisting of a chain of three amino acids attached to a palmitic acid molecule. The GHK sequence, which consists of the amino acids Gly-His-Lys, is found naturally in plasma, discovered in 1973 by Pickart et al.(1) The addition of palmitoyl to the molecule is thought to result in better penetration through the stratum corneum of the epidermal barrier.(2) The palmitoyl group, which is a fatty acid chain, is thought to increase lipophilicity, which may potentially enhance the compatibility of the molecule with the lipid-rich environment of the stratum corneum. The added palmitoyl group might also act as a penetration enhancer by disrupting the tightly packed lipid structure of the stratum corneum. This disruption could temporarily loosen the lipid matrix, allowing Pal-GHK and other agents to permeate through various skin tissue models.
Researchers have suggested that Pal-GHK may stimulate collagen production, a key component of the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM). This hypothesis was initially developed because the Gly-His-Lys sequence is also a structural fragment of the protein collagen. Gly-His-Lys is believed to be released during collagen hydrolysis, typically induced in tissue repair and to mitigate inflammation. Therefore, the tripeptide is believed to act as a natural feedback signal to fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing collagen and other ECM components.
Pal-GHK may also exhibit antioxidant potential against damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that may damage cell structures and are considered to contribute to the aging process. By potentially neutralizing free radicals, Palmitoyl-GHK may reduce cellular aging and inflammation.