Melanotan 1 vs Melanotan 2
Melanotan 1 is a linear alpha-MSH analogue that acts mainly on the MC1 receptor, and Melanotan 2 is a smaller cyclic analogue that activates several melanocortin receptors. Melanotan 1 has controlled human trials, as the afamelanotide implant Scenesse, while Melanotan 2 has no controlled human trials in our records.
Side by side
| Melanotan I | Melanotan II | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) agonist; linear 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analogue (afamelanotide, NDP-MSH) | Non-selective melanocortin receptor agonist (MC1R, MC3R, MC4R, MC5R); cyclic, lactam-bridged heptapeptide |
| Molecular weight | 1646.9 g/mol | 1024.2 g/mol |
| What's studied | Erythropoietic protoporphyria, acne and Hailey-Hailey pilots, lung perfusion in rats, melanoma and dendritic cells | Penile erection in rats, food intake and body fat in rodents and zebrafish, receptor binding; human case reports |
| Strength of the evidence | Two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (EU n=74, US n=94) using the 16 mg implant, plus small open-label pilots and cell work | No controlled human trials; two case reports and a study of online forum posts, with the controlled work in rats, mice, zebrafish and cells |
| Forms sold here | Lyophilised powder vial | Lyophilised powder vial; ready-made nasal spray |
| Sizes sold here | 10 mg vial | 10 mg vial; 10 mg / 10 mL nasal spray |
| Storage | −20 °C, dry and dark; 2–8 °C once mixed, use within 28 days | Vial: −20 °C, dry and dark; 2–8 °C once mixed. Spray: 2–8 °C, upright, away from light, not frozen |
| Cited studies on our pages | 8 | 8 |
Key differences
Receptor reach: Melanotan 1 acts mainly on MC1R, the receptor linked to melanin synthesis, while Melanotan 2 also activates MC3R, MC4R and MC5R. That wider reach is why the Melanotan 2 literature covers erection and appetite in rodents as well as pigmentation.
Structure: Melanotan 1 is a linear chain of 13 amino acids, and Melanotan 2 is a seven-residue peptide, six of them in a ring closed by a lactam bridge between Asp and Lys.
Evidence: Melanotan 1, as afamelanotide, has two placebo-controlled human trials in erythropoietic protoporphyria, all with the Scenesse implant. Melanotan 2 has no controlled human trials in our records, only case reports and a forum study.
FAQ
What is the difference between Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2?
Melanotan 1 is a linear 13-amino-acid alpha-MSH analogue that acts mainly on the MC1 receptor. Melanotan 2 is a cyclic seven-amino-acid analogue that activates the MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors. They are different molecules with different evidence records.
Is Melanotan 1 the same as Scenesse?
The molecule is the same: afamelanotide is the drug name for this sequence, and Scenesse is a 16 mg controlled-release implant registered on the ARTG for erythropoietic protoporphyria. Tasman's Melanotan 1 vial is a lyophilised research reagent. It is not Scenesse and is not a medicine.
Which has more human research, Melanotan 1 or 2?
Melanotan 1. Its human trials were run with the afamelanotide implant under medical supervision. Melanotan 2 has no controlled human trials in our records; its human information is two case reports and a qualitative study of online forums.
Are Melanotan 1 and Melanotan 2 legal in Australia?
Melanotan 2 is not registered on the ARTG. For Melanotan 1, only the finished Scenesse implant is registered; the research vial is not a registered product. Tasman supplies both for laboratory research only, not for human use.