Melanotan I

Overview

Melanotan I (afamelanotide) selectively activates only the MC1R receptor — the specific melanocortin receptor most directly responsible for pigmentation — giving it a narrower, more targeted effect profile than the non-selective Melanotan II.

Proposed Mechanism

Selectively activates MC1R, the primary pigmentation receptor, giving a more targeted effect with a different profile than the non-selective Melanotan II.

Research Context

Research on Melanotan I / afamelanotide has centered on photoprotection and pigmentation specifically in the context of photosensitivity disorders — conditions where patients have an abnormal, harmful reaction to sunlight exposure.

Evidence Status — Well-documented

Approved in the EU and US (as Scenesse) for a specific rare photosensitivity disorder.

Afamelanotide is a regulatory-approved pharmaceutical product (marketed as Scenesse) in the EU and US for a specific rare photosensitivity disorder, making it one of the more clinically established compounds in this index. As with other approved compounds here, that approval status applies to the specific regulated product, not to research-grade material generally.

Research Use Only

This page is a scientific reference summarizing publicly available research literature. It contains no dosing, administration, or protocol guidance, and nothing here constitutes medical advice. BactoCore does not sell this or any peptide referenced in this index — the only product sold directly is bacteriostatic water. See the Safety section for who should not handle research compounds, and the Research Use Disclaimer for full terms.