PT-141 — Research Summary
Overview
PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist. It was developed from the tanning peptide Melanotan II and has been the subject of clinical trials examining melanocortin pathway activation. PT-141, also known by its pharmaceutical name bremelanotide, was originally derived from the melanocortin peptide Melanotan II during research at the University of Arizona. Its development as a distinct research compound followed observations of melanocortin receptor-mediated effects that were independent of melanogenesis pathways. As a cyclic heptapeptide, PT-141 has been documented to selectively activate MC3R and MC4R melanocortin receptors in the central nervous system, distinguishing its mechanism of action from peripherally acting compounds. The compound has been the subject of multiple randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials, including the Phase 3 RECONNECT trials, which employed validated psychometric instruments to assess melanocortin pathway activation. Research has examined the compound's pharmacokinetic profile, receptor binding selectivity, and long-term safety characteristics in open-label extension studies.
Compound Profile
The following specifications characterize the PT-141 research compound as supplied for laboratory investigation purposes.
| Compound Name | PT-141 |
| Designation | PT-141 — 10 mg |
| Sequence / Structure | Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-OH (Cyclic heptapeptide) |
| Purity | ≥99% |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Vial Size | 10mg |
| Storage | Refrigerated after reconstitution |
| Research Category | Melanocortin Research |
| Series | Elite Series |
| SKU | P41-10 |
Published Research
The following findings have been documented in peer-reviewed publications and scientific literature. These summaries reflect reported observations and are presented for informational purposes in support of laboratory research activities.
- Two Phase 3 RECONNECT trials (Clayton et al., 2019) examined bremelanotide in premenopausal women, demonstrating statistically significant improvements in Female Sexual Function Index desire domain scores and Female Sexual Distress Scale scores compared to placebo over 24 weeks.
- A Phase 1 study (Diamond et al., 2004) in healthy males documented that PT-141 at doses >7mg produced statistically significant erectile responses compared to placebo, with onset occurring in approximately 30 minutes.
- Research in the Journal of Urology (Safarinejad & Hosseini, 2008) examined PT-141 in men who were non-responsive to sildenafil, finding that 34% of treated subjects reported significantly better outcomes compared to 9% with placebo.
- A 52-week open-label extension study demonstrated a favorable long-term safety profile with sustained efficacy in treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
These findings reflect outcomes observed in controlled research settings and published study protocols. Individual experimental conditions, model organisms, and methodologies varied across studies. Results observed in preclinical and clinical research settings may not be generalizable.
Mechanism of Action
PT-141 activates melanocortin receptors MC3R and MC4R in the central nervous system. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors that work peripherally, research suggests melanocortin agonists act through hypothalamic pathways involved in sexual response.
The mechanisms described above have been characterized through published research methodologies including receptor binding assays, gene expression analyses, cell culture experiments, and in vivo preclinical models. Mechanistic understanding continues to evolve as additional research is published.
Research Context
Melanocortin receptor research encompasses the study of peptides that interact with the melanocortin receptor system, a family of five G-protein coupled receptors (MC1R through MC5R) involved in diverse physiological processes. This receptor system has been documented to play roles in melanogenesis, energy homeostasis, inflammation, and neuroendocrine signaling. Synthetic analogs of endogenous melanocortin peptides such as alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) have been developed and studied to characterize receptor selectivity, binding affinity, and downstream signaling cascades. The development of cyclic peptide analogs with enhanced metabolic stability has enabled researchers to investigate melanocortin pathway activation in greater detail. Clinical and preclinical studies have examined how melanocortin agonists interact with central nervous system pathways, peripheral tissue receptors, and immune cell populations, reflecting the broad distribution and functional significance of this receptor family.
PT-141 has been studied within this broader research context. The compound is classified under the Melanocortin Research category and is part of the Elite Series in the Hot Peps research catalog. Researchers investigating melanocortin research may find the published findings summarized above relevant to their experimental design and literature review processes.
Key Citations
The following references represent a selection of published studies relevant to PT-141 research. Full-text articles may be accessed through their respective journal publishers or indexed databases such as PubMed.
- Clayton AH, et al. Bremelanotide for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Two Randomized Phase 3 Trials. Obstet Gynecol. 2019;134(5):899-908.PMID: PMC6819021
- Molinoff PB, et al. PT-141: a melanocortin agonist for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003;994:96-102.PMID: 12851303
- Diamond LE, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of PT-141 in healthy males and patients with erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res. 2004;16(1):51-59.PMID: 14963471
This compound is part of the Elite Performance Stack — specialty melanocortin pathway focus.
View Kit →Important Notice
PT-141 is sold exclusively for in vitro research, laboratory use, and scientific investigation purposes. This compound is not intended for human consumption, veterinary use, or any therapeutic application. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.
All research findings, statistics, and outcomes referenced on this page have been sourced from published peer-reviewed studies and scientific literature. These summaries are provided for informational purposes to support qualified researchers in their laboratory investigations. Results documented in published research were obtained under specific experimental conditions and may not be reproducible in all settings.
Researchers are responsible for ensuring that their use of research compounds complies with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing laboratory research materials.
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All findings referenced on this page reflect outcomes reported in published research studies. This product is sold strictly for in vitro research, laboratory use, and scientific investigation only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.