PT-141 (Bremelanotide)

Description

PT-141 (Bremelanotide) is a synthetic cyclic heptapeptide melanocortin receptor agonist derived from Melanotan II. It acts primarily through melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) and melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) activation in the central nervous system. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors that act on vascular smooth muscle, PT-141 works centrally through hypothalamic melanocortin pathways that regulate sexual arousal and desire. The peptide was developed from Melanotan II after researchers observed its effects on sexual function during melanogenesis studies. PT-141 activates MC4R in the medial preoptic area and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, influencing dopaminergic pathways involved in sexual motivation. It has been studied in both male and female models of sexual dysfunction. Bremelanotide (Vyleesi) received FDA approval in 2019 for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in premenopausal women. Supplied as a lyophilized powder. For research use only.