MSHa peptide research reagent

Oligopeptide-20 (Human) Research Peptide

This document provides detailed information on the research peptide Oligopeptide-20 (Human).

Product Specifications

Chemical Identifiers

IUPAC Name: (2S)-1-[(2S)-6-amino-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-[[(2R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-amino-5-(diaminomethylideneamino)pentanoyl]amino]-5-(diaminomethylideneamino)pentanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]-4-methylsulfanylbutanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-3-sulfanylpropanoyl]amino]propanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]hexanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

SMILES: C[C@@H](C(=O)N1CCC[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N2CCC[C@H]2C(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CS)NC(=O)[C@H](CC3=CC=C(C=C3)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CCSC)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CCCN=C(N)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CCCN=C(N)N)N

InChIKey: NZGHUDGEFVXNSR-KILGZPTDSA-N

InChI: InChI=1S/C65H109N19O16S2/c1-35(2)31-45(79-53(89)41(15-10-27-73-65(70)71)75-52(88)40(67)13-9-26-72-64(68)69)56(92)76-42(22-23-51(86)87)54(90)77-43(24-30-102-6)55(91)80-47(33-38-18-20-39(85)21-19-38)58(94)82-48(34-101)59(95)74-37(5)61(97)83-28-11-16-49(83)60(96)81-46(32-36(3)4)57(93)78-44(14-7-8-25-66)62(98)84-29-12-17-50(84)63(99)100/h18-21,35-37,40-50,85,101H,7-17,22-34,66-67H2,1-6H3,(H,74,95)(H,75,88)(H,76,92)(H,77,90)(H,78,93)(H,79,89)(H,80,91)(H,81,96)(H,82,94)(H,86,87)(H,99,100)(H4,68,69,72)(H4,70,71,73)/t37-,40-,41-,42-,43-,44-,45-,46-,47-,48-,49-,50-/m0/s1

Application

Oligopeptide-20 (Human) is a biomimetic peptide modeled after naturally occurring human growth-factor fragments, designed to support visible skin renewal, firmness, and rejuvenation. By enhancing cellular communication, it helps promote healthier epidermal turnover, improved elasticity, and a smoother overall texture. In cosmetic research, Oligopeptide-20 is valued for reducing the appearance of fine lines, brightening dull skin, and strengthening the skin’s barrier for enhanced resilience. Its low molecular weight and excellent solubility allow efficient incorporation into serums, ampoules, and advanced anti-aging treatments aimed at restoring a youthful, vibrant complexion.

Current Research

Human Oligopeptide-20: Current Research Overview

Human Oligopeptide-20 is a synthetic, human-identical peptide designed to mimic key regions of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2), a natural protein that protects the skin’s extracellular matrix (ECM) from enzymatic degradation. In cosmetics, it is typically labeled as Human Oligopeptide-20 (TIMP2) and positioned as a high-end anti-aging and photo-protection active.

TIMP-2 is one of the body’s major endogenous inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) – enzymes such as MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9 that break down collagen, elastin and other ECM components. Human Oligopeptide-20 takes this biology and miniaturizes it into a short peptide suitable for topical use, focusing on collagen protection, UV defense and long-term firmness.

Mechanism of Action: TIMP-2 Mimic + MMP Inhibition

The core scientific story around Human Oligopeptide-20 is MMP control.

• Mimicking TIMP-2: TIMP-2 naturally binds to and inhibits MMPs, keeping collagen and elastin breakdown under control. Human Oligopeptide-20 is designed as a TIMP-2-inspired fragment that can interact with MMPs or their regulatory pathways, reduce MMP activity and/or expression, and help preserve dermal collagen, elastin and other structural proteins. This is especially relevant in photoaging, where UV radiation and pollution drive chronic overexpression of MMPs, leading to thinning, wrinkles and sagging.
• Protecting Collagen and Elastin: In vitro data from suppliers and technical dossiers indicate that Human Oligopeptide-20 reduces MMP-mediated collagen degradation in fibroblast models exposed to stress (e.g., UV-like stimuli), helps maintain or restore collagen content in treated cultures compared with untreated or UV-damaged controls, and contributes to stronger, more resilient ECM, supporting anti-wrinkle and firming claims. Some patent literature also suggests that TIMP-2-derived peptides can modulate NF-κB signaling, a central inflammatory pathway, which would further limit MMP up-regulation and inflammatory damage in the skin.

Place in Modern Cosmetic Peptide Science

Within the usual cosmetic peptide families, Human Oligopeptide-20 sits in the niche of MMP-inhibiting / ECM-protective peptides, human-identical or biomimetic peptides (modeled on human proteins rather than plant or marine sources), and photoaging-focused actives. This differentiates it from classic collagen-signal peptides (which focus on synthesis) and from HA-boosting peptides (which focus on glycosaminoglycans). Human Oligopeptide-20’s value proposition is: “Don’t just build more collagen – protect what you already have.” That makes it especially attractive for sun-exposed areas (face, neck, décolleté, hands) and for formulas marketed as daily anti-aging + environmental defense.

In Vitro, Ex Vivo and Early Application Data

Most data available today are from supplier studies and patents, not large independent clinical trials, but they show a consistent picture:

• Cell / biochemical models: Reduced activity and/or expression of key MMPs implicated in collagen breakdown. Better preservation of collagen in fibroblast cultures subjected to stress (UV, oxidative or inflammatory triggers). Improved markers of ECM integrity and cell viability under damaging conditions.
• Skin and application context: Proposed use in innovative anti-aging face and body care, sun care and after-sun products, where it helps counteract UV-induced MMP surge, and mid- to long-term anti-aging treatments, focusing on cumulative protection of dermal structure rather than instant “plumping”. While detailed double-blind clinical datasets are not widely published, the mechanism is strongly aligned with mainstream photoaging science: UV → MMP up-regulation → collagen breakdown → wrinkles and laxity. A TIMP-2-mimetic peptide fits neatly into this pathway as a rational intervention point.

Safety and Regulatory Status

Human Oligopeptide-20 is produced synthetically at high purity for cosmetic use and appears in raw-material catalogs as a stable, water-soluble white powder. It is used at low concentrations in leave-on formulations and is intended strictly for cosmetic, non-therapeutic purposes. Standard supplier documentation describes good stability under normal cosmetic storage conditions, water solubility suitable for serums, gels and emulsions, and a safety profile consistent with other small cosmetic peptides when used at recommended levels (typically low peptide percentages in the finished product). As always, products should be framed as improving the appearance of firmness, wrinkles and photo-damage, not treating disease.