Independent · non-commercial · publishes on a quarterly cycle|Current cycle 2026 Q3
Compound Evidence InstituteEvidence synthesis · established 2023Graded assessments of compounds, trials, methods and supply
Document set current to 30 July 2026
Compound monograph · Growth-hormone axis

GHRP-6 — compound monograph

Growth-hormone secretagogue, non-selective ghrelin receptor agonist (hexapeptide). Unapproved, research supply. The Institute assesses 2 outcomes for this compound and grades the strongest at very low certainty.

Document identifier
CEI-MN-027
Series
Compound monograph
Version
4.0
Published
21 Nov 2024
Last reviewed
21 Sep 2025
Next review
21 Sep 2027
Identifier
10.71829/cei.mono.27
Certainty
Very low
Cycle
2024 Q4

§1Identification and status

§1.1Nomenclature

Preferred name
GHRP-6
Compound class
Growth-hormone secretagogue, non-selective ghrelin receptor agonist (hexapeptide)
Assessment series
Growth-hormone axis
Synonyms and codes
growth hormone releasing peptide-6 · SKF-110679 · His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2
Route as evaluated
Subcutaneous or intravenous

§1.2Chemistry

Chemical identifiers are reproduced where they are public. Where a structure has not been published the monograph records not disclosed rather than constructing one.[1]

CAS registry number
87616-84-0
Molecular formula
C46H56N12O6
Average mass
873.01
Monoisotopic mass
872.44
ATC classification
not assigned

§1.3Sequence and structural notes

H-His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH₂

The prototype synthetic growth-hormone-releasing peptide, from which hexarelin, GHRP-2 and the wider secretagogue class were derived. It is the least selective of the group and the most strongly orexigenic.

§1.4Assessment status

The Institute assesses GHRP-6 across 2 indications and grades the strongest of them at very low certainty. Supplied as a research chemical; no marketing authorisation for the uses under which it is supplied.

Distribution of certainty ratingsShare of assessed outcomes at each certainty level.2assessed outcomes
HighModerateLowVery low
Figure 1. Distribution of certainty ratings across the 2 outcomes the Institute assesses for GHRP-6. A rating attaches to a specific population, comparator and outcome and does not transfer between them.

Table 1. Assessed outcomes for GHRP-6, ordered by certainty. Each row links to the per-indication evidence extract.

IndicationEffect as recordedCertaintyTrials
Growth hormone deficiency and growth-hormone secretagogue pharmacologyDose-dependent acute growth-hormone release with attenuation on repeated administrationLow1
Cutaneous wound healing and tissue repairNo randomised human evidence identifiedVery low0
Effects are reproduced as the contributing trials reported them. Where a confidence interval is held it appears on the per-indication extract rather than in this summary table.

References cited on this page

References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.

  1. International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products. ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline 1999;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute

Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.

Nothing published by the Institute is medical advice, a diagnosis, a prescription, a treatment recommendation or a purchasing recommendation. Compounds supplied for research use are not approved for human or veterinary use in any jurisdiction, and a favourable analytical assessment of a supplier is not a statement that any product is safe or effective. The Institute publishes certainty ratings and never recommendations. No telephone number, messaging handle or ordering channel appears anywhere on this site.