Side-by-side · Research reference

Melanotan-IIvsPTD-DBM

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-REVIEWED10/40 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

PTD-DBM

Wnt Pathway Activator · Fusion Peptide

Topical / SQAdministrationLee 2023 Ryu 2023

Animal-onlyEvidence level

Wnt/β-cateninPrimary pathway

Topical / SQ · Study-dependent

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Melanotan-II

PTD-DBM

Primary target

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

CXXC5–Dishevelled protein-protein interaction

Pathway

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

Inhibit CXXC5 binding to Dishevelled → Release Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitionLee 2015 Ryu 2023

Downstream effect

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

Activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling promotes hair follicle regeneration, dermal stem cell activation, reduced myofibroblast differentiation

Feedback intact?

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Not applicable — pathway derepression rather than receptor agonism

Origin

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

Engineered fusion: cell-penetrating PTD sequence + Dvl-binding motif targeting CXXC5

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Melanotan-II

PTD-DBM

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 only (mice)

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

—

Wound healing protocol

—

Hydrogel patch delivery (concentration not disclosed)

Pyrogallol-HA patch, murine model.

Hair regeneration protocol

—

Topical application (exact dose not disclosed)

Wound-induced hair neogenesis model, mice.

Co-administration

—

Valproic acid (GSK-3β inhibitor) for wound healing synergyLee 2023

Combined treatment maximized scar reduction.

Human translation

—

No published human studies

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Melanotan-II

PTD-DBM

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

—

Reported adverse events

—

None reported in animal studies

Wnt pathway activation risks

—

Theoretical risk of aberrant proliferation; Wnt dysregulation linked to tumorigenesis

Long-term safety

—

Unknown — no chronic dosing or human data

Delivery vehicle effects

—

HA-PG hydrogel well-tolerated in mice; human translation pending

Absolute Contraindications

Melanotan-II

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

PTD-DBM

·Active malignancy (Wnt pathway involvement in tumorigenesis)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no safety data)

Relative Contraindications

Melanotan-II

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

PTD-DBM

·History of Wnt-driven tumors
·Skin lesions with uncertain malignant potential

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Melanotan-II

PTD-DBM

1. Reconstitution

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

Pyrogallol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA-PG) hydrogel patch loaded with PTD-DBM peptide, applied directly to wound bed. Adhesive hydrogel provides sustained release over multiple days.Lee 2023

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

Topical application to scalp or wound site. Precise formulation not disclosed; studies used Cxxc5 knockout or direct peptide application in wound-induced hair neogenesis models.Ryu 2023

3. Timing

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

PTD-DBM + valproic acid (GSK-3β inhibitor) in HA-PG patch showed synergistic effect on scar reduction and regenerative wound healing. VPA enhances Wnt pathway activation downstream.Lee 2023

4. Storage

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

Not disclosed in available literature. Peptide stability and storage conditions not published.

5. Needle

29–31G insulin syringe.

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