Melanotan II studies
219 journal papers mention Melanotan II in the title or abstract. Here are the most cited, the latest, and a few facts about the literature.
Studies range from laboratory work to clinical trials. A paper listed here is not an endorsement and says nothing about whether Melanotan II is safe, effective or approved for any use.
- Papers
- 219
- 213 articles, 6 reviews
- Earliest paper
- 1994
- Most papers in 2012 (15)
- Open access
- 48%
- free to read somewhere
- Reviews
- 3%
- of all papers listed
What kind of studies
Of 199 papers in PubMed that mention Melanotan II in the title or abstract, by the study type PubMed records. Categories overlap, so they do not add up to the total.
- Randomized controlled trials1
- Other clinical trials3
- Meta-analyses and systematic reviews0
- Other reviews10
- Case reports11
- Animal studies only137
- Studies in humans48
Study types are tags assigned by publishers and PubMed indexers; very new papers are often not tagged yet, and a tag is not a quality rating. Retracted papers are excluded. Source: PubMed (NCBI).
Registered clinical studies
Studies on ClinicalTrials.gov that mention Melanotan II in their intervention details. A registration says a study is planned or running, not what it found.
- Registered
- 1
- Completed
- 0
- Ongoing or planned
- 1
- Phase 1
- 0
- Phase 2
- 1
- Phase 3
- 0
- Melanotan II (MT-II) as an Adjunct to NB-UVB Phototherapy for Repigmentation in Stable Nonsegmental Vitiligo
NCT07437560RecruitingPhase 2started 2026-02-02
The five most recently updated studies. See all 1 on ClinicalTrials.gov. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Studies are found by the compound's name, so a few may be about something else.
Papers per year
1997 to 2026, peak 15 papers in a year. The latest year may still be incomplete.
Where it is published
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology14 papers
- Endocrinology12 papers
- Peptides10 papers
- European Journal of Pharmacology6 papers
- The FASEB Journal6 papers
The papers
Most citedName in the title
- Evaluation of Melanotan-II, a superpotent cyclic melanotropic peptide in a pilot phase-I clinical study
Robert T. Dorr, Ruskin R. Lines, Norman S. Levine et al. · Life Sciences · 1996
Clinical trial · Phase 1136 citations
- Melanocortin receptor agonists, penile erection, and sexual motivation: human studies with Melanotan II
Hunter Wessells, Norman S. Levine, Mac E. Hadley et al. · International Journal of Impotence Research · 2000
Clinical trial118 citations
- Unabated anorexic and enhanced thermogenic responses to melanotan II in diet-induced obese rats despite reduced melanocortin 3 and 4 receptor expression
G Li, Yaodan Zhang, JT Wilsey et al. · Journal of Endocrinology · 2004
Animal studyOpen access56 citationsRead the open copy →
- The Melanocortin Agonist Melanotan‐II Reduces the Orexigenic and Adipogenic Effects of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) but Does not Affect the NPY‐Driven Suppressive Effects on the Gonadotropic and Somatotropic Axes in the Male Rat
Paula Raposinho, R.B. White, Martine Aubert · Journal of Neuroendocrinology · 2003
Animal studyOpen access · CC BY48 citationsRead the open copy →
- The melanocortin agonist, melanotan II, enhances proceptive sexual behaviors in the female rat
Anne‐Sophie Rössler, James G. Pfaus, Hossein Kami Kia et al. · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · 2006
Animal study43 citations
- Intracerebroventricular administration of melanotan II increases insulin sensitivity of glucose disposal in mice
Annemieke C. Heijboer, Anita M. van den Hoek, Hanno Pijl et al. · Diabetologia · 2005
Animal studyOpen access43 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanocortinergic Activation by Melanotan II Inhibits Feeding and Increases Uncoupling Protein 1 Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in the Developing Rat
Maria M. Glavas, Sandra E. Joachim, Shin J. Draper et al. · Endocrinology · 2007
Animal study39 citations
- Food intake reductions and increases in energetic responses by hindbrain leptin and melanotan II are enhanced in mice with POMC-specific PTP1B deficiency
Bart C. De Jonghe, Matthew R. Hayes, Derek J. Zimmer et al. · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · 2012
Animal studyOpen access35 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan II injection resulting in systemic toxicity and rhabdomyolysis
Michael E. Nelson, Sean M. Bryant, Steven E. Aks · Clinical Toxicology · 2012
Case report34 citations
- Identification and characterization by LC‐UV‐MS/MS of melanotan II skin‐tanning products sold illegally on the Internet
Torben Breindahl, Michael J. Evans-Brown, Peter Hindersson et al. · Drug Testing and Analysis · 2014
Open access33 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanoma Associated with the Use of Melanotan-II
Kasper Fjellhaugen Hjuler, Henrik Frank Lorentzen · Dermatology · 2013
Study in humans30 citations
- The medial preoptic nucleus as a site of the thermogenic and metabolic actions of melanotan II in male rats
Boris Monge-Roffarello, Sébastien M. Labbé, Christophe Lenglos et al. · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · 2014
Animal study29 citations
- Melanotan-II reverses autistic features in a maternal immune activation mouse model of autism
Elena Minakova, Jordan Lang, Jesús‐Servando Medel‐Matus et al. · PLoS ONE · 2019
Animal studyOpen access · CC BY20 citationsRead the open copy →
- 5-HT2C receptor activation is a common mechanism on proerectile effects of apomorphine, oxytocin and melanotan-II in rats
Yasuharu Kimura, Yuki Naitou, Fumikazu Wanibuchi et al. · European Journal of Pharmacology · 2008
Animal study20 citations
- Evidence that Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Melanotan-II Synergistically Augments the Ability of Naltrexone to Blunt Binge-Like Ethanol Intake in Male C57BL/6J Mice
Montserrat Navarro, Francisca Carvajal, José Manuel Lerma-Cabrera et al. · Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research · 2015
Animal studyOpen access19 citationsRead the open copy →
- The Use of Telemetry Technology to Test the Proerectile Effect of Melanotan-II (MT-II) in Conscious Rats
Francois Giuliano, A-S. Rössler, Pierre Clément et al. · European Urology · 2005
Animal study19 citations
- The protective effects of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) agonist, melanotan-II (MTII), against binge-like ethanol drinking are facilitated by deletion of the MC3 receptor in mice
Jeffrey J. Olney, Gretchen M. Sprow, Montserrat Navarro et al. · Neuropeptides · 2013
Animal studyOpen access17 citationsRead the open copy →
- Reduced Anorexigenic Efficacy of Leptin, But Not of the Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Melanotan-II, Predicts Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats
Gertjan van Dijk, Koert de Vries, Csaba J. Nyakas et al. · Endocrinology · 2005
Study in humansOpen access17 citationsRead the open copy →
- Eruptive naevi and darkening of pre-existing naevi 24 h after a single mono-dose injection of melanotan II
Franziska Sophie Schulze, Hanieh Erdmann, Lena H. Hardkop et al. · European Journal of Dermatology · 2014
Case report16 citations
- Melanotan-II: Investigation of the inducer and facilitator effects on penile erection in anaesthetized rat
Francois Giuliano, Pierre Clément, Stéphane Droupy et al. · Neuroscience · 2005
Animal study16 citations
- Melanotan II causes hypothermia in mice by activation of mast cells and stimulation of histamine 1 receptors
Shalini Jain, Anna Panyutin, Naili Liu et al. · American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism · 2018
Animal studyOpen access15 citationsRead the open copy →
- The potent melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II promotes peripheral nerve regeneration and has neuroprotective properties in the rat
Mariel ter Laak-Poort, Jan H. Brakkee, Roger A.H. Adan et al. · European Journal of Pharmacology · 2003
Animal study15 citations
- Effects of melanotan II, a melanocortin agonist, on grooming and exploration in rats after repeated restraint/immobilization
Věra Klenerová, Ivan Krejčı́, Pavel Šı́da et al. · Neuroscience Letters · 2007
Animal study14 citations
- Preformulation Studies with Melanotan-II: A Potential Skin Cancer Chemopreventive Peptide
En-Ling Lan, Sydney O. Ugwu, James D. Blanchard et al. · Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · 1994
Animal study14 citations
- Analogue of Melanotan II (MTII): A Novel Melanotropin with Superpotent Action on Frog Skin
Liqian Gao, Zhiqiang Yu, Dan Meng et al. · Protein and Peptide Letters · 2015
Animal study13 citations
- Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report
Björn Peters, Henrik Hadimeri, Rebecka Wahlberg et al. · CEN Case Reports · 2020
ReviewOpen access12 citationsRead the open copy →
- The melanocortin agonist melanotan II increases insulin sensitivity in OLETF rats
Ryouichi Banno, Hiroshi Arima, Ikuko Sato et al. · Peptides · 2004
Animal study11 citations
- CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists
Stefano Tomassi, Marilisa Pia Dimmito, Minying Cai et al. · Journal of Medicinal Chemistry · 2022
Study in humans10 citations
- Effects of Ghrelin, Corticotrophin-releasing Hormone, and Melanotan-II on Food Intake in Rats with Paraventricular Nucleus Lesions
J. Wang, S. Ling, T. Usami et al. · Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes · 2007
Animal study10 citations
- The first preparative solution phase synthesis of melanotan II
Vladimir V. Ryakhovsky, Georgy A Khachiyan, Nina F Kosovova et al. · Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry · 2008
Open access · CC BY9 citationsRead the open copy →
- Systemic Delivery of Melanotan II through the Ocular Route in Rabbits
Sirirat Pinsuwan, Paul Brian Myrdal, Samuel H. Yalkowsky · Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences · 1997
Animal study9 citations
- Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food
Nicole L. Eliason, Lynne Martin, Malcolm James Low et al. · Neuropeptides · 2022
Animal studyOpen access7 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums
Eimear Gilhooley, Selene Daly, Dermot B. McKenna · Dermatology · 2021
Study in humans7 citations
- Dermatoskopische Veränderungen von melanozytären Nävi unter Verwendung von Melanotan II
R. Mang, Dieter Krahl, Till Assmann · Der Hautarzt · 2012
Case report7 citations
- 5‐Hydroxypyrroloindoline Affords Tryptathionine and 2,2′‐bis‐Indole Peptide Staples: Application to Melanotan‐II
Mihajlo Todorovic, Antoine Blanc, Zhou Wang et al. · Chemistry - A European Journal · 2024
Open access · CC BY5 citationsRead the open copy →
- Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4–10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress
Ludmila S. Inozemtseva, Ksenia A. Yatsenko, Н. Ю. Глазова et al. · European Journal of Pharmacology · 2024
Animal study4 citations
- Inhibitory Effect of the Melanocortin Receptor Agonist Melanotan-II (MTII) on Feeding Depends on Dietary Fat Content and not Obesity in Rats on Free-Choice Diets
José K. van den Heuvel, Leslie Eggels, Andrea J. van Rozen et al. · Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience · 2015
Open access · CC BY3 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan II, a melanocortin agonist, partially rescues the impaired thermogenic capacity of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide deficient mice
Thecla McMillan, Maeghan A. M. Forster, Landon I. Short et al. · Experimental Physiology · 2020
Animal studyOpen access2 citationsRead the open copy →
- LC‐HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs
Serena Mestria, Sara Odoardi, Giampietro Frison et al. · Drug Testing and Analysis · 2020
Study in humans2 citations
- Syntheses of Melanotan II and YSL Amide by Ajiphase® Methodology
T. A. Sanguliya, Anna O. Antipova, Sergei V. Shkavrov et al. · Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal · 2019
2 citations
LatestName in title or abstract
- Peptides in urology and sexual medicine: clinical effectiveness, dosing, indications, and safety: a narrative review
V Vasylieva, Annette West, Edward Karpman · Sexual Medicine Reviews · 2026
Review
- Melanotan ii
Reactions Weekly · 2026
- (349) Therapeutic Peptides in Sexual Medicine: A Narrative Review
E Burchfiel, N Mills, G Saffati et al. · The Journal of Sexual Medicine · 2025
ReviewOpen accessRead the open copy →
- 62185 Beliefs, Attitudes, and Experiences of Individuals using Melanotan II
Ning C. McKenzie, Ning C. McKenzie, Nathaly Gonzalez et al. · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2025
- Association of tanning injection with hypercortisolism, hyperglycaemia and ketosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Hnin Hnin Aung, Eingyin Ko Ko, Cornelius James Fernandez · British Journal of Diabetes · 2025
Open access · CC BYRead the open copy →
- 98-OR: Melanocortin 4 Receptor–Mediated Effects Require Beta-Arrestin 2 Signaling
Muaz Rashid, Oksana Gavrilova, Zhenzhong Cui et al. · Diabetes · 2025
1 citations
- Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4–10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress
Ludmila S. Inozemtseva, Ksenia A. Yatsenko, Н. Ю. Глазова et al. · European Journal of Pharmacology · 2024
Animal study4 citations
- Barbie drug identification: Not a child's play
Marine Deville, Corinne Charlier · Journal of Forensic Sciences · 2024
Case reportOpen access1 citationsRead the open copy →
- Recommended Tool Compounds for the Melanocortin Receptor (MCR) G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)
Nicholas A. Weirath, Carrie Haskell‐Luevano · ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science · 2024
Open access5 citationsRead the open copy →
- Poster presentationsPS09 User experiences of Melanotan II injection for tanning
Ning C. McKenzie, Nathaly Gonzalez, Cathleen Huang et al. · British Journal of Dermatology · 2024
Open accessRead the open copy →
- Health Threat in the Tanning Trend
Mohammed Al Abadie · Dermatology and Dermatitis · 2024
Open accessRead the open copy →
- Therapeutic Strategies Against Metabolic Imbalance in a Male Mouse Model With 5-HT2CR Loss-of-Function
Hailan Liu, Zhaoxun Liu, Huey-Xian Kelly Wong et al. · Endocrinology · 2024
Animal studyOpen access2 citationsRead the open copy →
- Saisie de produits : identification inattendue ou erreur sur la marchandise
Charline Bottinelli, Luc Rembault, Kévin Revelut et al. · Annales de Toxicologie Analytique · 2024
1 citations
- Multiple metabolic signals in the CeA regulate feeding: The role of AMPK
Gisele Castro, Natália Ferreira Mendes, Laís Weissmann et al. · Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology · 2024
Animal study1 citations
- 5‐Hydroxypyrroloindoline Affords Tryptathionine and 2,2′‐bis‐Indole Peptide Staples: Application to Melanotan‐II
Mihajlo Todorovic, Antoine Blanc, Zhou Wang et al. · Chemistry - A European Journal · 2024
Open access · CC BY5 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan-II reverses memory impairment induced by a short-term HF diet
Patryk Wekwejt, Urszula Wojda, Anna Kiryk · Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 2023
Animal studyOpen access · CC BY-NC-ND1 citationsRead the open copy →
- Obesity medication lorcaserin activates brainstem GLP-1 neurons to reduce food intake and augments GLP-1 receptor agonist induced appetite suppression
Stefan Wagner, Daniel I. Brierley, Alasdair T. S. Leeson-Payne et al. · Molecular Metabolism · 2022
Study in humansOpen access · CC BY32 citationsRead the open copy →
- Vasopressin neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamus promote wakefulness via lateral hypothalamic orexin neurons
Md Tarikul Islam, Florian Rumpf, Yusuke Tsuno et al. · Current Biology · 2022
Open access37 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food
Nicole L. Eliason, Lynne Martin, Malcolm James Low et al. · Neuropeptides · 2022
Animal studyOpen access7 citationsRead the open copy →
- CLIPSing Melanotan-II to Discover Multiple Functionally Selective hMCR Agonists
Stefano Tomassi, Marilisa Pia Dimmito, Minying Cai et al. · Journal of Medicinal Chemistry · 2022
Study in humans10 citations
- Melanocortin 3/4 receptor in the dorsal raphe nucleus regulates maternal care in lactating mice
Yoshikage Muroi, Toshiaki Ishii · Proceedings for Annual Meeting of The Japanese Pharmacological Society · 2022
Open accessRead the open copy →
- Zebrafish Bioassay for Screening Therapeutic Candidates Based on Melanotrophic Activity
Ted Inpyo Hong, Kyu-Seok Hwang, Tae‐Ik Choi et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2021
Study in humansOpen access · CC BY4 citationsRead the open copy →
- Intracerebroventricular administration of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) enhances thigmotaxis and induces anxiety-like behavior in the goldfish Carassius auratus
Keisuke Watanabe, Norifumi Konno, Tomoya Nakamachi et al. · Peptides · 2021
Animal studyOpen access13 citationsRead the open copy →
- Depletion of Alpha-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Induces Insatiable Appetite and Gains in Energy Reserves and Body Weight in Zebrafish
Yang-Wen Hsieh, Yi-Wen Tsai, Hsin-Hung Lai et al. · Biomedicines · 2021
Open access · CC BY14 citationsRead the open copy →
- Evaluation of synthetic alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogs: An observational study of unregulated, online-available drugs
Edward Kenji Hadeler, Karyn Haitz, Fleta Netter Bray · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2021
Study in humansOpen access1 citationsRead the open copy →
- The Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nucleus Controls Food Intake and Body Weight via Hindbrain POMC Projections
Samantha M. Fortin, Jack C. Chen, Harvey J. Grill et al. · Nutrients · 2021
Animal studyOpen access · CC BY12 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanoma In-Situ Associated with Melanotan Ii Use
Mallalieu Jared E · Clinical Case Reports and Clinical Study · 2021
Open access · CC BY1 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan Tanning Injection: A Rare Cause of Priapism
Chase W. Mallory, Diana M. Lopategui, Billy Hamilton Cordon · Sexual Medicine · 2021
Case reportOpen access · CC BY-NC-ND8 citationsRead the open copy →
- Pharmacological chaperone action in humanized mouse models of MC4R-linked obesity
Patricia René, Damien Lanfray, Denis Richard et al. · JCI Insight · 2021
Study in humansOpen access · CC BY22 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan II User Experience: A Qualitative Study of Online Discussion Forums
Eimear Gilhooley, Selene Daly, Dermot B. McKenna · Dermatology · 2021
Study in humans7 citations
- Melanotan II, a melanocortin agonist, partially rescues the impaired thermogenic capacity of pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide deficient mice
Thecla McMillan, Maeghan A. M. Forster, Landon I. Short et al. · Experimental Physiology · 2020
Animal studyOpen access2 citationsRead the open copy →
- LC‐HRMS characterization of the skin pigmentation and sexual enhancers melanotan II and bremelanotide sold on the black market of performance and image enhancing drugs
Serena Mestria, Sara Odoardi, Giampietro Frison et al. · Drug Testing and Analysis · 2020
Study in humans2 citations
- CAPS2 deficiency induces proopiomelanocortin accumulation in pituitary and affects food intake behavior in mice
Shuhei Fujima, Natsuki Amemiya, Tomoki Arima et al. · Neuroscience Letters · 2020
Animal study3 citations
- Development of Ligand-Drug Conjugates Targeting Melanoma through the Overexpressed Melanocortin 1 Receptor
Yang Zhou, Saghar Mowlazadeh Haghighi, Zekun Liu et al. · ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science · 2020
Open access11 citationsRead the open copy →
- Application of Dimedone Enamines as Protecting Groups for Amines and Peptides
Sivanna Chithanna, Sameer Vyasamudri, Ding‐Yah Yang · Organic Letters · 2020
15 citations
- Hypothalamic POMC deficiency increases circulating adiponectin despite obesity
Hui Min Yu, Kavaljit H. Chhabra, Zoe Thompson et al. · Molecular Metabolism · 2020
Animal studyOpen access · CC BY-NC-ND31 citationsRead the open copy →
- Sites and sources of sympathoexcitation in obese male rats: role of brain insulin
Zhigang Shi, Ding Zhao, Priscila A. Cassaglia et al. · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · 2020
Animal studyOpen access23 citationsRead the open copy →
- Topical MTII Therapy Suppresses Melanoma Through PTEN Upregulation and Cyclooxygenase II Inhibition
Jian‐Ching Wu, Han‐En Tsai, Yi-Hsiang Hsiao et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2020
Study in humansOpen access · CC BY4 citationsRead the open copy →
- Melanotan II: a possible cause of renal infarction: review of the literature and case report
Björn Peters, Henrik Hadimeri, Rebecka Wahlberg et al. · CEN Case Reports · 2020
ReviewOpen access12 citationsRead the open copy →
- Syntheses of Melanotan II and YSL Amide by Ajiphase® Methodology
T. A. Sanguliya, Anna O. Antipova, Sergei V. Shkavrov et al. · Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal · 2019
2 citations
Each list shows up to 40 papers.See all 219 on OpenAlex. Source: OpenAlex (CC0), journal articles and reviews with a DOI, retractions excluded, refreshed weekly, last 4 Nov 2026, 08:27 UTC. Papers are listed by their metadata only; follow the links to read them. A license shown on an open copy is the license the publisher or repository states for that copy.