Compound research hub

KPV: Research, Handling and Batch Documentation

KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, studied for the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone without the melanocortin receptor activation that drives pigmentation.

Part of Volta's wellness research peptides catalogue.

Identity and research status

Also referred to as: Lys-Pro-Val, Alpha-MSH C-terminal tripeptide, α-MSH(11-13)
Sequence: Lys-Pro-Val
Single-letter Code: KPV
Molecular Formula: C16H30N4O4
Molecular Weight: 342.44 g/mol
Length: 3 amino acids
Corresponds To: Residues 11 to 13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Uptake Route: PepT1 oligopeptide transporter
Parent Hormone: Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, 13 amino acids
Pigmentary Activity: None. The melanocortin binding determinants lie outside this fragment
Appearance: White lyophilised powder

Evidence level: Preclinical (grade D)

Regulatory status: Preclinical. No formal clinical trials completed. Used in compounding pharmacy protocols. Removed from FDA Category 2 on April 15, 2026.

Evidence grades describe the published literature on the compound, not a property of the material Volta supplies, and are not a statement that any use is approved. See how these grades are assigned.

Mechanism, in brief

KPV is the tripeptide lysine-proline-valine, corresponding to residues 11 to 13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It is the C-terminal fragment of that hormone, and the reason it is studied separately is that the anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-MSH is largely retained in this fragment while the pigmentary activity, which requires the melanocortin receptor binding determinants further along the sequence, is not.

Origin. KPV is residues 11 to 13 of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the C-terminal tripeptide of that hormone.
PepT1-mediated uptake. Entry into intestinal epithelial cells occurs through the oligopeptide transporter PepT1, which normally carries di- and tripeptides and is upregulated in inflamed intestinal tissue.
Receptor-independent action. Because uptake is transporter-mediated rather than receptor-mediated, the anti-inflammatory effect does not require melanocortin receptor engagement.
Suppression of inflammatory signalling. Reported inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production inside the cell.
Self-targeting consequence. Since PepT1 is upregulated where tissue is inflamed, uptake concentrates in inflamed tissue, which is the basis for the targeted delivery approaches built around this peptide.

The full research write-up, including the findings behind each claim and the model each came from, is on the KPV 10mg 10mg page.

Vial sizes available

Every size of KPV Volta lists, in stock or not. Each is a separate catalogue page with its own batch number and specification table.

KPV 10mg 10mgBatch #: VPKP10100
In stock

Purity and batch documentation

Volta's release specification is >99% (HPLC). That is a threshold we set. >99% is the specification every batch is released to. The figure on a certificate is what a laboratory measured for one lot.

SideChain Analytics reported 99.7% by HPLC-MS/MS on September 24, 2026.
Covers the KPV 10mg vial.
Read the certificate Verify on lab's website (Verify on SideChain Analytics's website, opens in a new tab)

the complete batch history dataset how each batch is tested laboratories that test peptides independently

Research on KPV

Concentrations used in the literature

the concentrations used in published KPV work

Comparisons

Studied alongside other compounds

KPV and BPC-157 in gut-barrier research

Handling and stability

Laboratory guides

Calculators

Regulatory context

United States: Not FDA-approved. Removed from FDA Category 2 on April 15, 2026 after HHS Secretary Kennedy directed withdrawal of nominations. PCAC review scheduled July 23-24, 2026. Research chemical.
Canada: Not approved by Health Canada.
United Kingdom: Not MHRA-approved.

Primary sources

Kannengiesser K, Maaser C, Heidemann J, et al.. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (2008). PMID 18092346
Dalmasso G, Charrier-Hisamuddin L, Nguyen HT, et al.. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology (2008). PMID 18061177
Laroui H, Dalmasso G, Nguyen HT, et al.. Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model. Gastroenterology (2010). PMID 19909746
Xiao B, Xu Z, Viennois E, et al.. Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis. Molecular Therapy (2017). PMID 28143741
Viennois E, Ingersoll SA, Ayyadurai S, et al.. Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of the anti-inflammatory PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV. Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2016). PMID 27458604
Sun J, Xue P, et al.. Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted gamma-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV. ACS Biomaterials Science and Engineering (2021). PMID 34547895

More wellness research peptides

KPV sits in Volta's wellness research peptides catalogue, alongside the other compounds studied in this area. The whole range is on the full research catalogue, and the library of comparisons and guides is under peptide research.