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Research Comparison

ARA 290 vs GHK-Cu

ARA 290 and GHK-Cu are studied in overlapping research areas, which is why they are frequently compared. This is a neutral side-by-side reference drawn from published preclinical literature and laboratory handling data.

Shared research areas:Tissue Regeneration
Class11-amino-acid EPO-derived linear peptideTripeptide-copper(II) complex (Gly-His-Lys : Cu²⁺)
Molecular weight1257.4 g/mol340.38 g/mol
CAS numberNot assigned / not specifiedNot assigned / not specified
Purity spec≥99%≥99%
Research areasTissue Regeneration, Cognitive & NeurologicalDermatological, Tissue Regeneration
Primary diluentBacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol)Sterile or bacteriostatic water
Working windowCommonly worked with for 2-4 weeks at 2-8 °C in bacteriostatic water.Commonly worked with for 2–4 weeks at 2–8 °C.
Lead degradation routeAsparagine/glutamine deamidation is the most plausible slow route for this sequence.Copper dissociation at acidic pH — the complex-specific failure mode, visible as fading or loss of the blue colour.
Freeze–thawAliquot on first reconstitution; the short backbone tolerates a freeze better than folded proteins but repeated cycles still concentrate solutes at the ice interface.Aliquot on reconstitution. Freeze–thaw cycling risks local pH shifts during ice formation, which is a specific hazard for a pH-sensitive coordination complex.
Light sensitivityNo specific light requirement beyond normal practice.Protect from light; copper complexes are photo-reactive and copper can catalyse oxidation of the peptide it is bound to.

How they actually differ

Comparing the two: ARA 290 is 11-amino-acid epo-derived linear peptide, while GHK-Cu is tripeptide-copper(ii) complex (gly-his-lys : cu²⁺) — different molecular classes with different handling consequences; they call for different primary diluents (bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) versus sterile or bacteriostatic water); their leading degradation routes differ (asparagine/glutamine deamidation is the most plausible slow route for this sequence. for ARA 290, copper dissociation at acidic ph for GHK-Cu), so the storage precautions that matter are not the same; their practical working windows differ once reconstituted. The sections below set out each in full.

ARA 290 — origin

ARA 290 (Cibinetide) is an 11-residue peptide modelled on the helix-B surface of erythropoietin. It was engineered to engage the innate repair receptor — a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor — without the erythropoietic (red-blood-cell-stimulating) activity of full-length EPO.

GHK-Cu — origin

GHK was identified by Loren Pickart in 1973 as a factor in human plasma whose concentration declines markedly with age. The decisive later finding was that its activity depends on chelated copper(II) — the peptide and the metal function as a unit. GHK-Cu is therefore a coordination complex, not simply a peptide, and it is the only such compound in this catalogue.

ARA 290 research themes

Innate repair receptor

Studied for selective engagement of the EPOR/beta-common receptor heteromer that mediates tissue-protective signalling, distinct from the classical erythropoietic receptor.

Neuropathic pain models

A substantial share of the published literature examines small-fibre and neuropathic-pain research models.

Anti-inflammatory signalling

Investigated for modulation of inflammatory pathways in preclinical tissue-injury models.

GHK-Cu research themes

Collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis

The best-populated area of the GHK-Cu literature, examined in dermal fibroblast models.

Metalloproteinase modulation

Studied for effects on the MMP/TIMP balance governing matrix turnover.

Angiogenesis in wound models

Copper itself is an angiogenic cofactor, and the complex is studied in that context.

Age-related decline

Plasma GHK falls substantially between early and later adulthood, a finding central to research interest in the molecule.

ARA 290 handling

  • Reach room temperature before opening the vial.
  • Add diluent gently down the vial wall; do not vortex.
  • Use low-bind labware at low working concentrations to limit adsorption.

GHK-Cu handling

  • Never reconstitute in acidic diluent — low pH dissociates the copper complex.
  • Keep chelating agents such as EDTA out of any buffer used with this compound.
  • Treat colour change as a discard signal: clear blue is correct, pale or green is not.
  • Avoid contact with reducing agents, which will reduce Cu(II) to Cu(I) and collapse the complex.

Both third-party tested

Every Popular Peptides batch of ARA 290 and GHK-Cu is independently tested by HPLC and LC-MS with a published Certificate of Analysis. Enter a lot number to pull the COA for a specific vial.

Verify a batchPublished COAsHow we test

ARA 290 reference

Full ARA 290 reference ARA 290 storage ARA 290 reconstitution ARA 290 calculatorARA 290 product details

GHK-Cu reference

Full GHK-Cu reference GHK-Cu storage GHK-Cu reconstitution GHK-Cu calculatorGHK-Cu product details

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ARA 290 and GHK-Cu are supplied strictly as research chemicals for in-vitro laboratory and research use only. They are not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. This comparison summarizes published preclinical literature and laboratory handling data; it is not medical advice, not a claim of efficacy, and not usage guidance.