Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin is a synthetic pentapeptide, Aib-His-D-2-Nal-D-Phe-Lys-NH2, studied as a selective ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor GHS-R1a. Alphex supplies it as a lyophilised powder in a 10 mg vial for laboratory and in-vitro research. Stock status is shown in the buy box on this page.

For research purposes only. This product is supplied exclusively for scientific laboratory research and analytical applications. It is not intended for human or animal use, and must not be misused in any way that contravenes regulations or applicable laws.

What Ipamorelin is

Ipamorelin is a five-residue peptide built from a mixture of natural and unnatural amino acids: alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), L-histidine, 3-(2-naphthyl)-D-alanine (D-2-Nal), D-phenylalanine and L-lysine, with an amidated C-terminus. The D-amino acids and the Aib residue make the chain resistant to many proteases, and the bulky aromatic side chains of D-2-Nal and D-Phe are central to how it binds its receptor.

It was developed in the 1990s as part of a series of growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs). In receptor and cell-based studies it was reported to be more selective for GHS-R1a than earlier compounds such as GHRP-6 and GHRP-2. That selectivity is the main reason it is used as a tool compound. The GHS-R1a research background note covers the receptor.

Specification notes

The specification table further down this page lists the sequence, molecular formula (C38H49N9O5), molecular weight (711.9 g/mol), CAS number and storage. Points to bear in mind:

• Mass basis. The 10 mg figure is the nominal fill of lyophilised material, not net peptide content.
• Purity. The specification is 99+% by reverse-phase HPLC with UV detection.
• Appearance. White lyophilised powder or cake in a vacuum-sealed glass vial.

Where Ipamorelin appears in the research literature

In the laboratory, Ipamorelin is used in GHS-R1a receptor-binding and competition assays, calcium-flux and second-messenger signalling assays in cells expressing the receptor, and comparative pharmacology against other GHS-R1a ligands. It is also a useful reference compound in analytical work on peptides containing D-amino acids and unnatural residues. Alphex supplies Ipamorelin as a laboratory reagent only and does not provide protocols or application guidance.

Handling and storage in the lab

• Sealed vials. -20 C for long-term storage, 2-8 C for short-term storage. Let a cold vial reach room temperature before opening it.
• Reconstitution. Ipamorelin is water-soluble. Use bacteriostatic water, sterile water or a neutral buffer, added slowly down the vial wall. Swirl gently; do not shake.
• Stock solutions. Store at 2-8 C in the dark and use within a few weeks. For longer storage, aliquot and freeze at -20 C. Its aromatic residues make it worth protecting from light.
• Concentration. A 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL gives a nominal 5 mg/mL stock. At 711.9 g/mol that is about 7.0 mM.

Analytical notes

• Stereochemistry. Two of the five residues are D-amino acids. A synthesis that incorporates the wrong enantiomer at either position gives a diastereomer with the same mass, which reverse-phase HPLC can often separate as a nearby peak. This is one reason a chromatogram is more informative than a bare purity number.
• Detection. The naphthyl, phenyl and imidazole side chains absorb in the UV, so Ipamorelin gives a strong signal at the usual 214 to 220 nm peptide wavelengths and is also visible at higher wavelengths.
• Retention. The two large aromatic side chains make it relatively hydrophobic for a pentapeptide, so it is retained well on a C18 column.
• Related impurities. Deletion sequences, where one residue failed to couple, and incomplete C-terminal amidation are the impurities most often seen in synthetic material of this kind.

Checking Ipamorelin from any supplier

Confirm the full sequence, including the D-configured residues and the C-terminal amide, and a molecular weight of about 711.9 g/mol. Look for a lot-matched certificate with a chromatogram and the issuing laboratory named. Our note on how to read a research peptide COA covers the rest of the checks.

How the batch certificate works

Before a batch is listed, it is sent to Vanguard Laboratory, an independent analytical laboratory, for reverse-phase HPLC with UV detection, and the certificate goes into the public COA library. You can then type the batch code on your vial label into the library and read the certificate before you order. No Ipamorelin certificate is in the library yet; one will be published before the next batch goes on sale. Vanguard is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by A2LA under certificate 6377.01. The chromatographic purity result is not represented as an accredited-scope test. Alphex certificates are RP-HPLC results; they do not report mass spectrometry, endotoxin, water content or net peptide content.

Vial size

The concentration is nominal, based on vial fill rather than net peptide content.

Further reading

• Ipamorelin research peptide: a selective GHS-R ligand for the laboratory
• The ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a: research background
• Ipamorelin, GHRP-6 and GHRP-2 compared

Alphex Ipamorelin is supplied to laboratories and researchers for in-vitro research only. Delivery is UK only, by Royal Mail Tracked 24, which aims for the next working day.