Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) and selective ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) agonist studied for its ability to stimulate pulsatile GH release without significantly affecting cortisol, prolactin or ACTH levels in preclinical models. Sequence Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂; CAS 170851-70-4; molecular weight 711.87 g/mol; supplied lyophilised at ≥99% purity by HPLC. For laboratory research use only; not for human or veterinary use.

Introduced as the first of its kind, Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide that was characterised as the prototype selective growth-hormone secretagogue — a molecule designed to stimulate growth-hormone release through the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) while leaving other pituitary hormones largely untouched. That selectivity has made it one of the most studied reference compounds in growth-hormone-axis research.

The first selective secretagogue. When Ipamorelin was first described, it stood out from earlier growth-hormone-releasing peptides precisely because it raised growth hormone with minimal accompanying release of ACTH or cortisol (Raun et al., 1998). Parallel pharmacokinetic work positioned it among a new generation of peptidyl secretagogues with well-defined profiles (Johansen et al., 1998), and later structural studies used it as the template for designing still more potent hybrids (Hansen et al., 2001).

What the research explores. Across animal, in-vitro, and limited proof-of-concept systems, Ipamorelin has been investigated along several lines:

• Growth-hormone-axis & skeletal signalling — studied as a selective GH secretagogue and for effects in glucocorticoid-challenged bone models (Raun et al., 1998; Andersen et al., 2001).
• Gastrointestinal motility — examined as a ghrelin mimetic in rodent post-operative ileus and dysmotility paradigms (Greenwood-Van et al., 2012; Beck et al., 2014).
• Endocrine & metabolic interactions — explored for its influence on insulin release and the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in animal models (Adeghate et al., 2004; Gouda et al., 2024).

The activity described here is drawn from animal, in-vitro, and early proof-of-concept studies; it characterises biological behaviour in experimental models and does not establish efficacy or safety in humans. Full citations are listed under the Scientific References tab.

Physicochemical profile. CAS No. 170851-70-4 · Molecular formula C38H49N9O5 · Molecular weight 711.85 g/mol · Sequence Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2 · Appearance: white lyophilized powder · Solubility: soluble in water.

Specification & quality. Each individually sealed vial contains 10 mg of Ipamorelin as a white lyophilized powder at ≥99% purity by HPLC. Every batch is third-party tested, and a Certificate of Analysis (COA) is available. Store at −20 °C, protected from light and moisture; shelf life 24 months from the manufacture date.

This product is intended for laboratory research use only (RUO). It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or dietary supplement, and is not for human or veterinary use, ingestion, or diagnostic application. Handling is restricted to qualified research professionals operating in an appropriately equipped laboratory.