PT-141 (Bremelanotide)

PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is a man-made peptide (a small ring-shaped molecule of seven building blocks). It is a close copy of a natural body signal called alpha-MSH. It is also a breakdown product of melanotan II. In pharmacology research it is widely used as a tool to study melanocortin receptors (a family of cell "switches" involved in pigment, appetite and other signals).

How it works

Bremelanotide is described as turning on several of these melanocortin switches, with reported activity at two of them (called MC3R and MC4R) [1][2]. Rather than acting on blood vessels directly, its studied action appears to work through the brain: when given to rats, it switched on certain brain cells in an area called the hypothalamus, and the MC4R switch is found in the hypothalamus and other brain regions [2].

Melanocortin and sexual-response pathway research

Studies have looked at the melanocortin pathway in the brain circuits tied to sexual response. Animal work examined a melanocortin-activating compound and certain courtship-type behaviors in female rats [3]. Controlled human studies investigated bremelanotide's effect on self-reported sexual response in premenopausal women [4], and later two large randomized trials (called RECONNECT) studied the MC4R pathway in a low-sexual-desire condition [1]. This research examines the biological pathway; it does not mean any benefit for a person.

Blood-pressure research

Because turning on melanocortin switches can affect blood pressure, researchers used around-the-clock blood-pressure monitoring to study how bremelanotide behaves in controlled settings [2].

What the research has not shown yet

The human research involved a specific, regulated medicine studied under medical supervision. It does not show that the research material supplied here is safe or effective, and no sexual-performance benefit is implied for anyone. This product is provided strictly for in-vitro research use only (test-tube and lab research only).

For laboratory use, store lyophilized bremelanotide at -20°C protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic or sterile water to prepare stock solutions, hold reconstituted material at 2-8°C for short-term use, aliquot to minimize freeze-thaw cycles, and protect solutions from light.