PeptideTreatments
Reviewed by Peptide Treatments Medical Advisory Board (Medical Advisory Board)

KPV: Research & Evidence

Early-Stage Research

Published research, clinical trial data, and evidence grading for KPV across studied indications.

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Research Summary

KPV has zero human clinical trials. All proposed benefits for IBD, gut health, and anti-inflammatory applications are extrapolated from cell culture and mouse studies. No human PK/PD, safety, or efficacy data exists. Category 2 under FDA reclassification, potentially returning to Category 1.

Evidence by Indication (2 indications)

Indication Tier Trials Summary
Gut inflammation (IBD) Tier C 2 Alpha-MSH fragment reduces TNF-alpha and NF-kB in colitis models; limited human data
Antimicrobial activity Tier D 0 In vitro activity against Candida and Staphylococcus; no clinical trials

Graded using our evidence tier methodology.

Citations (9 sources)

  1. 1. Host defense peptides as a new drug lead to a strategy for inflammatory bowel disease. Study

    (2025), Drug discovery today

  2. 2. KPV and RAPA Self-Assembled into Carrier-Free Nanodrugs for Vascular Calcification Therapy. Study

    (2024), Advanced healthcare materials

  3. 3. PepT1-targeted nanodrug based on co-assembly of anti-inflammatory peptide and immunosuppressant for combined treatment of acute and chronic DSS-induced Colitis. Study

    (2024), Frontiers in pharmacology

  4. 4. Are melanocortin peptides future therapeutics for cutaneous wound healing? Study

    (2019), Experimental dermatology

  5. 5. Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis. Study

    (2017), Molecular therapy

  6. 6. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Study

    (2008), Inflammatory bowel diseases

  7. 7. Effects of the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11-13) on corneal epithelial wound healing: role of nitric oxide. Study

    (2006), Experimental eye research

  8. 8. Three-dimensional structure of the alpha-MSH-derived candidacidal peptide [Ac-CKPV]2. Study

    (2005), The journal of peptide research

  9. 9. New insights into the functions of alpha-MSH and related peptides in the immune system. Study

    (2003), Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences