All items sold for research purposes only.  –  Call or Text (860) 845-6557
Free shipping on orders over $150  ·  Domestic Manufacturing  ·  Third-party Tested
0 Support
Peptides

What Is GHRP-2? A Research Overview

Explicit Research  ·  Research Compound Overview
← Back to Articles
Research Use Only. GHRP-2 is sold by Explicit Research exclusively for laboratory and research purposes. This article summarizes published preclinical and experimental literature. It is not medical advice and does not constitute a recommendation for human use. All compounds are for in vitro and animal research only.

All information below describes the compound's chemical identity, laboratory handling, and the published research literature. It describes molecular targets and results in laboratory and animal models only — not effects in humans — and is not evidence of any human benefit.

What Is GHRP-2?

GHRP-2 (Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2), also known by the international nonproprietary name pralmorelin and the development code KP-102, is a synthetic hexapeptide (molecular formula C45H55N9O6; CAS 158861-67-7). It belongs to the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) class of peptides. It does not occur freely in nature; it is a synthetic ligand designed to interact with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, and it has been used as a reference agonist in neuroendocrine laboratory investigation.

It is supplied as a reference compound for in vitro and animal research use only. The sections below summarize its chemical identity, laboratory handling, the molecular targets and model systems examined in the published literature, and the primary references — without describing outcomes, efficacy, or effects in humans.

Research Targets & Pathways

Published preclinical literature has examined GHRP-2 in relation to several molecular systems. These are pathway associations reported in laboratory and animal models; refer to the cited studies for methods and findings.

Model Systems Studied

GHRP-2 has been used as a test compound across a range of published preclinical model systems, including in vitro cell assays, rodents, and other animal models. Refer to the cited literature for study designs, endpoints, and findings.

Note: several cited references reflect broader GHRP-class findings (e.g., GHRP-6 and other ghrelin mimetics) relevant to shared receptor mechanisms; species and model differences should be considered when interpreting translatability, and independent replication varies across endpoints.

Molecular & Technical Profile

C45H55N9O6  |  MW 817.94 g/mol  |  CAS 158861-67-7  |  Synthetic hexapeptide

Storage, Reconstitution & Working Concentrations

Lyophilized storage−20°C, protected from light and moisture; reported stable up to ~24 months as lyophilized powder
Reconstituted storage2–8°C for up to ~28 days; avoid repeated freeze–thaw — aliquot before freezing if longer storage is required
SolubilityFreely soluble in water and aqueous buffers (e.g., sterile PBS or bacteriostatic water); soluble in 0.1% acetic acid for added stability; avoid organic solvents such as DMSO
ReconstitutionEquilibrate vial to room temperature (~15–20 min); add sterile bacteriostatic water or 0.1% acetic acid slowly down the vial wall; swirl gently until dissolved — do not vortex
Stock solutionTypically 1 mg/mL in sterile bacteriostatic water or 0.1% acetic acid; further dilute with sterile PBS to working concentration
In vitro working range0.1 nM – 1 µM; commonly 1–100 nM in GH-secretion assays (pituitary-cell stimulation) and GHS-R1a receptor-binding assays
Animal model dosingSee cited literature for model-specific concentration ranges and administration protocols
Endotoxin<1 EU/mg (LAL assay); confirm lot-specific COA before use in sensitive cell systems

Storage, reconstitution, and working-concentration values are general laboratory guidance for in vitro and animal research; always confirm against the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis.

Current Research Status

As of the time of this writing, GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any human therapeutic use. The material supplied by Explicit Research is a reference compound for laboratory research use only and is not an approved drug product. The available literature is drawn from in vitro assays and animal models, together with a body of human physiology and stimulation-test studies; translation of these model findings to clinical contexts has not been established through the compound as supplied here. Ongoing research continues to characterize its receptor pharmacology and the model systems in which it has been examined.

Research FAQ

Is GHRP-2 approved for human use?

GHRP-2 (pralmorelin) has not been approved by the FDA for any human therapeutic use. The material supplied by Explicit Research is a reference compound for laboratory research use only and is not an approved drug product — not for human consumption.

What is GHRP-2's molecular formula?

A synthetic hexapeptide — molecular formula C45H55N9O6, MW 817.94 g/mol, CAS 158861-67-7.

How is GHRP-2 stored and reconstituted?

Store lyophilized at −20°C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute in sterile or bacteriostatic water (or 0.1% acetic acid); store the reconstituted solution at 2–8°C for up to ~28 days and avoid repeated freeze–thaw.

What targets and model systems has GHRP-2 been studied in?

Preclinical work has examined GHRP-2 at the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1a / ghrelin receptor) — a pathway reported as distinct from the GHRH receptor — across pituitary-cell and receptor-binding assays and rodent and other animal models. Note that several cited references reflect broader GHRP-class findings; species and model differences should be considered.

Selected References

  1. Bowers et al. (1991). Characterized dose-dependent GH secretion and receptor-binding actions of GHRP in pituitary and in vivo models. Endocrinology.
  2. Mori et al. (2004). Profiled the general pharmacology of GHRP-2 (KP-102), including GH-release potency, cortisol, and prolactin responses across dose ranges. Eur J Pharmacol.
  3. Bowers et al. (1993). Defined the GHRP-family structural requirements for GHS-receptor activation and peptide activity in pituitary cell assays. J Pediatr Endocrinol.
  4. Howard et al. (1996). Identified and cloned the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), characterizing ligand binding and signal transduction via IP3/Ca2+ second messengers distinct from the GHRH receptor. Science.
  5. Kojima et al. (1999). Identified ghrelin as the endogenous GHS-R ligand and characterized its GH-releasing and orexigenic signaling in rat stomach and pituitary. Nature.
  6. Cornejo et al. (2025). Measured brain GHS-R engagement and downstream ghrelin signaling following intranasal ghrelin-mimetic delivery in mouse models. Endocrinology.
  7. Tannenbaum et al. (2003). Measured GH secretion when GHRP-2 and GHRH were co-administered, characterizing non-competing receptor pathways in rat pituitary models. Endocrinology.
  8. Arvat et al. (1995). Quantified GH, cortisol, and prolactin secretory responses to GHRP-2 and GHRH co-administration in human subjects. J Endocrinol Invest.
  9. Akamizu et al. (2023). Measured pituitary GH reserve and secretory response to GHRP-2 stimulation testing in elderly subjects, evaluating assay reliability and adverse-event monitoring. Growth Horm IGF Res.
  10. Ghigo et al. (2000). Compared GHRP-2, arginine, and GHRH stimulation tests for GH-reserve assessment in adults with suspected GH deficiency. Eur J Endocrinol.
  11. Chapman et al. (1996). Measured IGF-1, GH pulse frequency, and body-composition changes during GHS administration in elderly men and women in a double-blind RCT. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  12. Bisi et al. (2000). Measured diastolic-function and myocardial-stunning parameters in an isolated blood-perfused rabbit-heart model following GHRP-2 pretreatment before ischemic challenge. Endocrinology.
  13. Locatelli et al. (2000). Reviewed GHS-R expression in cardiac tissue and vasculature and noted species differences as a limitation in translating preclinical cardiovascular findings. Ann Endocrinol (Paris).
  14. Rosenblatt et al. (2026). Measured ventricular-remodeling indices, ejection fraction, and systolic-function parameters in a permanent coronary-ligation rat model following GHRP-6 administration. Pharmaceuticals (Basel).
  15. Broglio et al. (2003). Quantified acute hemodynamic and cardiac-output responses to GHRP-2 infusion in healthy human subjects using echocardiography and invasive monitoring. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
  16. Berthold et al. (2025). Measured macrophage-polarization markers, histologic scores, and tendon-bone interface biomechanical properties in a rat rotator-cuff-tear model following GHRP-2 treatment. Arthroscopy.
  17. Granado et al. (2012). Quantified NF-κB pathway activation and cytokine profiles (TNF-α, IL-6) in a rodent sepsis model following GHRP-2 treatment. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.
  18. Dios-Barbeito et al. (2009). Measured hepatic inflammatory signaling, oxidative-stress indices, and NF-κB activation in a rat liver-injury model following GHRP-2 administration. J Hepatol.
  19. Garcia-Ojalvo et al. (2014). Assessed pro-fibrotic cytokine levels, collagen deposition, and tissue-remodeling markers in a rat model of organ fibrosis following GHRP-class peptide treatment. Peptides.