Melanotan I

Melanotan I (Afamelanotide) is a linear synthetic analogue of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) that activates the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) to stimulate melanogenesis — the production of eumelanin (brown/black pigment) in skin melanocytes.

Research has investigated Melanotan I for its photoprotective properties and role in UV-independent tanning models. Unlike Melanotan II, it is highly selective for MC1R and does not significantly activate MC3R or MC4R, resulting in a focused melanogenic profile without the systemic effects associated with broader melanocortin activation. It has been studied in clinical contexts for erythropoietic protoporphyria and solar urticaria.