Side-by-side · Research reference

Melanotan-IIvsMGF

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

APhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED14/55 cited

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

MGF

IGF-1Ec Splice Variant · Muscle-Specific

IGF-1EcSplice variantArmakolas 2016

24-AASynthetic E-domain

Animal onlyHuman evidence

SQ · Research context only

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Melanotan-II

MGF

Primary target

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

Satellite cells (Pax7+) in skeletal muscleMoore 2018

Pathway

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

Mechanical stress → IGF-1Ec mRNA upregulation → Local E-domain peptide release → Satellite cell activation

Downstream effect

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

Satellite cell proliferation, myoblast differentiation, muscle fiber repair

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Alternative splicing of IGF-1 gene (exons 4-6) produces IGF-1Ec precursor; E-domain cleaved post-translationallyArmakolas 2016 Vassilakos 2017

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Melanotan-II

MGF

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.

—

Evidence basis

Phase 1 + anecdotalDorr 1996

Animal models + in vitro only

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

—

Synthetic peptide

—

24-amino-acid E-domain sequence

Corresponds to human IGF-1Ec exons 4-6 region.

Rodent cardiac model

—

200 μg/kg via peptide-eluting microstructures

Post-MI injection; improved ejection fraction by 8 weeks.

Acute delivery (mouse MI)

—

Single bolus within 12 hrs post-infarctionShioura 2014

Delayed decompensation; no human protocol established.

Human evidence

—

None — no published clinical trials

All dosing extrapolated from animal models.

Detection in doping

—

Full-length MGF detected via LC-MS in illicit productsThevis 2014

WADA-prohibited since 2005; no therapeutic indication.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Melanotan-II

MGF

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

—

Human safety data

—

None — no clinical trials published

Theoretical IGF-1 axis risk

—

Chronic IGF-1Ec overexpression linked to cancer progression (prostate, colorectal, breast)

Tumor promotion

—

IGF-1Ec overexpressed in osteosarcoma, colorectal polyps with dysplasia, endometrial cancer

Antibody development

—

Unknown — no longitudinal human exposure data

Local injection reaction

—

Presumed similar to other peptides (erythema, induration) — no direct evidence

Dysregulated expression with age

—

Older adults (70+ yrs) show blunted IGF-1Ec response post-exercise vs youngMoore 2018

Absolute Contraindications

Melanotan-II

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

MGF

·Active malignancy or history of IGF-1-sensitive cancers (prostate, colorectal, breast, osteosarcoma)
·No established therapeutic use — investigational only

Relative Contraindications

Melanotan-II

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

MGF

·Family history of IGF-1-axis malignancies
·Use outside research setting

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Melanotan-II

MGF

1. Reconstitution

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

MGF (E-domain peptide) has no approved clinical protocol. All published data derive from animal models or in vitro experiments.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

Commercially available MGF corresponds to the 24-amino-acid human E-domain (hEc). Rodent E-domain (Eb) is structurally distinct and not interchangeable.

3. Timing

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

Rodent studies used peptide-eluting polymeric microstructures (cardiac) or direct intramuscular injection. Routes and doses non-translatable to humans.Peña 2015 Shioura 2014

4. Storage

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

MGF peptides prohibited in sport since 2005. Detection via LC-MS established for full-length MGF products.Thevis 2014

5. Needle

29–31G insulin syringe.

Any human use falls outside approved medical practice and regulatory frameworks. No safety or efficacy data exist.

06Stack Synergy

Melanotan-II

— no documented stacks

MGF

+ BPC-157

Multi-pathway

View BPC-157 →

MGF activates satellite cells for muscle fiber repair; BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and tendon healing via distinct pathways (VEGF, FAK, integrin signaling). Theoretical synergy in post-injury contexts combines myogenic (MGF) and stromal (BPC-157) repair mechanisms. Both lack human validation.

MGF: No established dose
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ near injury site
Context: Animal models only
Primary benefit: Theoretical multi-tissue repair (muscle + tendon/ligament)

+ TB-500

Moderate

View TB-500 →

TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment) enhances actin polymerization, cell migration, and angiogenesis—complementary to MGF satellite cell activation. Both upregulated post-injury; combined use presumed additive for muscle regeneration in preclinical models.

MGF: No established dose
TB-500: 2–5 mg SQ weekly
Context: Animal models only
Primary benefit: Satellite cell activation + enhanced migration/angiogenesis