*Doses are commonly-reported figures from public sources, not a recommendation. Educational only.
| Year | Title / venue | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bioactive Glycyrrhizic Acid Ionic Liquid Self-Assembled Nanomicelles for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery of Anti-Photoaging Signal Peptides Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · preclinical | PMID 39783908 |
| 2024 | Liposome Encapsulation of the Palmitoyl-KTTKS Peptide: Structural and Functional Characterization Pharmaceutics · preclinical | PMID 38399273 |
| 2022 | Pentapeptide modified ethosomes for enhanced skin retention and topical efficacy activity of indomethacin Drug delivery · preclinical | PMID 35656937 |
| 2019 | The Effects of a Novel Series of KTTKS Analogues on Cytotoxicity and Proteolytic Activity Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · preclinical | PMID 31618846 |
| 2017 | Effect of Palmitoyl-Pentapeptide (Pal-KTTKS) on Wound Contractile Process in Relation with Connective Tissue Growth Factor and α-Smooth Muscle Actin Expression Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine · preclinical | PMID 30603464 |
| 2015 | Synthesis and characterization of monodisperse poly(ethylene glycol)-conjugated collagen pentapeptides with collagen biosynthesis-stimulating activity Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters · preclinical | PMID 25433999 |
| 2014 | Dermal Stability and In Vitro Skin Permeation of Collagen Pentapeptides (KTTKS and palmitoyl-KTTKS) Biomolecules & therapeutics · preclinical | PMID 25143811 |
| 2011 | Topically applied KTTKS: a review International journal of cosmetic science · preclinical | PMID 21535443 |
| 2007 | The pentapeptide KTTKS promoting the expressions of type I collagen and transforming growth factor-beta of tendon cells Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · preclinical | PMID 17593541 |
| 2005 | Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin International journal of cosmetic science · preclinical | PMID 18492182 |
Matrixyl (Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4 / Pal-KTTKS)). Topical lipopeptide cosmetic active; the palmitoylated matrikine fragment signals fibroblasts to upregulate collagen and extracellular-matrix synthesis.
Commonly discussed uses: topical anti-aging cosmetics (collagen support, fine lines). There is some human research, though it may be limited, early-phase, or for a narrow indication. Note: most uses are not approved indications.
Mechanism: Topical lipopeptide cosmetic active; the palmitoylated matrikine fragment signals fibroblasts to upregulate collagen and extracellular-matrix synthesis.
Reported considerations: topical: well tolerated; rare irritation. There is some human research, though it may be limited, early-phase, or for a narrow indication. Legal topical cosmetic ingredient in AU/US/UK. Not an injectable/therapeutic. This is not a safety endorsement; safety data for unapproved compounds is incomplete.
Commonly cited ranges (educational reference, not a recommendation): low topical 3-4ppm (Matrixyl), formulation-dependent, typical topical cosmetic concentration, high Matrixyl 3000/synthe'6 blends. Administration: topical. Half-life: topical local action.
Australian status: Permitted cosmetic ingredient. Legal topical cosmetic ingredient in AU/US/UK. Not an injectable/therapeutic. General regulatory context: most active peptides are Schedule 4 and require a prescription; import via the Personal Importation Scheme requires a valid Australian prescription for prescription-only goods.
Reconstitution/storage reference: pre-formulated cosmetic (no reconstitution); storage: room temp per product.
Commonly discussed combinations (anecdotal for unapproved compounds): topical with GHK-Cu / retinoid / SNAP-8 (cosmetic). Stacking increases interaction/safety uncertainty.