Side-by-side · Research reference

CortagenvsMelanotan-II

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited

BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

Melanotan-II

MC1R + MC4R agonist · Tanning + sexual response

0.25–1.0 mgPer doseDorr 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelDorr 1996

~1 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Loading 5–7 days, then maintenance

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cortagen

Melanotan-II

Primary target

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

MC1R (skin) + MC3R + MC4R (CNS sexual / appetite)Dorr 1996

Pathway

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

MC1R agonism → melanocyte tyrosinase → eumelanin synthesis. MC4R → autonomic sexual arousal centresDorr 1996 Simerly 2023

Downstream effect

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

Skin darkening, photo-protection, increased sexual desire / spontaneous erectionDorr 1996

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

Cyclic 7-AA modified α-MSH analog; designed at University of ArizonaDorr 1996

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cortagen

Melanotan-II

Animal model dose (rat)

Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)

Multiple injections over study period.

—

Avian model dose (chicken)

40-day injection courseKuznik 2008

Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.

—

Human peripheral nerve study

Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)

Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.

—

Evidence basis

Animal mechanistic studies

Phase 1 + anecdotalDorr 1996

Route

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

—

Loading phase

—

0.25–0.5 mg/day SQ × 5–7 daysDorr 1996

Builds up to visible tan.

Maintenance

—

0.5–1.0 mg 1–2×/week

After visible tan develops; supports with UV exposure.

Frequency

—

Daily during loading; 1–2× per week maintenance

Lower / starter dose

—

0.1 mg / day

Conservative starter — assess tolerability for nausea.

Duration

—

8–12 weeks per cycle

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water; protect from light

Timing

—

Evening preferred (24h tan-development cycle)

Half-life

—

~1 hour plasma; effects on melanocytes persist days

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cortagen

Melanotan-II

Antioxidant suppression

Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007

Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.

—

Immune/hemostasis effects

No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008

Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.

—

Human safety data

No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context

Limited detail in available abstracts.

—

Nausea

—

Common, especially loading phase

Flushing

—

Common transient

Spontaneous erection

—

Common in men — MC4R cross-effectDorr 1996

Increased mole / freckle pigmentation

—

Existing moles darken; new lesions possible

Melanoma risk

—

Theoretical concern — increased melanocyte activity; CAUTION in melanoma history

Appetite suppression

—

MC4R-mediated; mild

Pregnancy / OB

—

Contraindicated

Absolute Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Melanotan-II

·History of melanoma or atypical mole syndrome
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active uncontrolled hypertension

Relative Contraindications

Cortagen

—

Melanotan-II

·Significant freckling / dysplastic nevus
·Personal or family melanoma history

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cortagen

Melanotan-II

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL = 500 mcg per 0.1 mL. Light-protected.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

Evening preferred. UV exposure (sunlight or tanning bed) helps develop tan.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G insulin syringe.