KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a synthetic C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent peptide and is of research interest for mucosal inflammatory…
Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.
Educational research tools — not medical advice.
Overview
What KPV is
About KPV
Derived from alpha-MSH; binds melanocortin receptors MC1R/MC3R to suppress NF-κB and inflammatory cytokines
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a synthetic C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent peptide and is of research interest for mucosal inflammatory conditions due to its capacity to be transported across intestinal epithelium via the PepT1 oligopeptide transporter. PepT1, which is upregulated in inflamed intestinal mucosa, internalizes KPV into epithelial cells where it inhibits NF-κB activation and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production, providing targeted anti-inflammatory activity at the mucosal level without requiring systemic delivery. Gastroenterology research has demonstrated that PepT1-mediated KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation in preclinical colitis models, and subsequent work has characterized oral delivery of KPV via hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles for improved mucosal targeting in experimental inflammatory bowel disease. KPV is a research compound with no regulatory approval in any jurisdiction; available evidence is limited to in vitro and preclinical animal models, and no human clinical trials have evaluated KPV for any mucosal inflammatory indication. KPV is studied in preclinical research primarily for its anti-inflammatory effects at the mucosal level, intestinal healing responses, and wound repair mechanisms — areas of interest in inflammatory bowel disease and dermatological research contexts. Oral delivery of KPV via PepT1-mediated transport is the primary research interest in IBD and mucosal inflammation contexts; oral capsule formulations — including hyaluronic acid nanoparticle encapsulations — have been studied preclinically to improve mucosal targeting and bioavailability in inflamed intestinal tissue. KPV is also studied in topical applications for wound healing and dermatological inflammation, and subcutaneous injection has been explored for systemic delivery. Preclinical research has investigated KPV in colorectal cancer-associated inflammatory models in addition to colitis contexts, representing a broader research interest in the peptide's anti-inflammatory properties across gastrointestinal tissue. KPV and cancer research: KPV's anti-inflammatory mechanism — specifically its suppression of NF-κB signaling and downstream reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β — has drawn preclinical research interest in gastrointestinal cancer contexts. Chronic intestinal inflammation is a recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer development, and NF-κB pathway hyperactivation is implicated in both IBD progression and colorectal carcinogenesis. Preclinical studies have evaluated KPV in colitis-associated colorectal cancer models, where reduction of mucosal inflammation via PepT1-mediated KPV delivery was associated with attenuated inflammatory signaling in tumor-adjacent tissue. This research is strictly preclinical — no human data exists evaluating KPV in any oncology context — and KPV is not being studied as a cancer treatment. The interest is in its ability to modulate the inflammatory microenvironment that contributes to cancer-associated tissue damage in gastrointestinal research models.
KPV Benefits & Research Areas
anti-inflammatorygut healingwound healing
Research Signals
Population research notes
18–2930s40s50+
These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.
Alpha-MSH C-terminal tripeptide fragment (Lys-Pro-Val). Anti-inflammatory. No FDA approval, no NDA or IND. Not on any FDA list. Research chemical only.
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
6 sources cited · 6 moderate
1 Cohort · 3 Reviews · 2 Animals
Lysine-proline-valine peptide attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation through ROS-dependent regulation of the PPARγ pathway in HepG2 cells.
Cytotechnology · 2026
# Summary
Research found that the tripeptide KPV reduced lipid accumulation in liver cells by decreasing oxidative stress and modulating signaling pathways involved in fat synthesis, particularly through effects on the PPARγ pathway. This study demonstrated that KPV suppressed fatty acid synthase expression and prevented the cellular damage associated with lipid overload, suggesting a potential mechanism by which this endogenous peptide could influence hepatic steatosis processes.
Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis
Molecular Therapy · 2017
Research in a mouse ulcerative colitis model found that KPV encapsulated in hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles delivered orally in a hydrogel system significantly reduced mucosal damage and TNF-α expression compared with free KPV nanoparticles, demonstrating targeted colonic delivery as a strategy to enhance KPV anti-inflammatory efficacy.
Research in intestinal cell cultures and mouse colitis models found that the tripeptide KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) was transported into cells via the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter and inhibited NF-κB and MAP kinase inflammatory pathways at nanomolar concentrations, with oral KPV administration reducing inflammation severity in DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis.
Research-use compound with limited human data. Evidence strength varies — see the Evidence section.
No established clinical contraindications. This is an investigational compound with limited human data and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety in this context. Consult a qualified clinician.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Median tested purity of 99.2% across 5 verified third-party lab COAs (interquartile range 99.2%–99.3%), as reported by the independent testing labs below. PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product.
Independent labs
Janoshik Analytical, TrustPointe Analytics LLC
Most recent test
June 2026
PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
KPV 10mg · Lot KPV09032025-J · Sep 10, 2025 · View source COA
99.5%
Purity
PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product. Verified results come from an independent third-party lab database lookup. Vendor-published results are reported by the vendor itself and have not been independently verified by PeptideBase or a third-party lab.
PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions — KPV
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a synthetic C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that retains the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent peptide and is of research interest for mucosal inflammatory conditions due to its capacity to be transported across intestinal epithelium via the PepT1 oligopeptide transporter. PepT1, which is upregulated in inflamed intestinal mucosa, internalizes KPV into epithelial cells where it inhibits NF-κB activation and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production, providing targeted anti-inflammatory activity at the mucosal level without requiring systemic delivery.
anti-inflammatory, gut healing, wound healing.
Research on KPV primarily documents effects related to anti-inflammatory and gut healing and wound healing. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
For KPV, its FDA status is Nomination Withdrawn, and it is designated for research use only. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
83 providers in the directory currently offer KPV.
Across 27 research vendors tracked on PeptideBase, KPV has a median price of about $5.00 per mg, typically ranging $3.88–$7.82 per mg. This reflects research-use vendor pricing, not clinical or prescription costs.
# Summary
Research found that the tripeptide KPV reduced lipid accumulation in liver cells by decreasing oxidative stress and modulating signaling pathways involved in fat synthesis, particularly through effects on the PPARγ pathway. This study demonstrated that KPV suppressed fatty acid synthase expression and prevented the cellular damage associated with lipid overload, suggesting a potential mechanism by which this endogenous peptide could influence hepatic steatosis processes.
KPV is featured in the following research stacks on PeptideBase: KPV + Larazotide: Gut Barrier & Anti-Inflammatory.
Access
How to get KPV
Market Pricing
27 vendors
$3.88/mgBudget
$5.00/mgMedian
$7.82/mgPremium
$3.88
$5.00
$7.82
Price per mg varies by quantity, vendor type, and formulation. Research use only.