What is Melanotan II?

Melanotan 2 (also known as Melanotan II) is a synthetically produced variant of a peptide hormone naturally produced in
our body that stimulates melanogenesis, which is responsible for pigmentation of the skin. This peptide hormone, called
alpha-Melanocyte stimulating hormone or MSH, activates certain melanocortin receptors in the process of exerting its effects.
Indeed, MSH also brings out potent benefits of lipid metabolism, appetite, and sexual libido via these melanocortin receptors.
Hence, Melanotan 2 has been shown in studies to exhibit appetite suppressant, lipolytic, and libido-enhancing effects in addition
to promoting skin tanning. Melanotan 2 has been researched extensively to use in protecting against the harmful effects of ultraviolet
radiation from sunlight because of its melanogenesis-stimulating features.
Additionally, Melanotan 2(MT-2) and a similar synthetically produced variant, called PT-141, have been studied as a potential remedy
for the treatment of sexual dysfunction; specifically, male erectile dysfunction.
  

 Melanotan II (CAS NO.121062-08-6) was first synthesized at the University of Arizona. Researchers decided to find a more potent and stable alternative, one that would be more practical to defenses against skin cancer Melanotan 2 , Melanotan2 , Melanotan II The researchers headed by Victor Hruby, found a peptide, [Nle4, D-Phe7]-α-MSH, that was approximately 1,000 times more potent than natural α-MSH after synthesizing and screening hundreds of molecules. They dubbed this new peptide, "Melanotan"
(later Melanotan I, now known as afamelanotide). They subsequently developed another analog, Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-NH2),
which they named "Melanotan Acetate". Since their discovery, numerous studies dating back to the mid-1980s have found no obvious toxic effects
of the Melanotan peptides. The scientists hoped to use Melanotan peptides to combat melanoma by stimulating the body's natural tanning mechanism
o create a tan without first needing exposure to harmful levels of UV radiation. This in turn, they hypothesized, could reduce the potential for skin damage that can eventually lead to skin cancer.