Gynecology Sexual health

PT-141 Wikipedia

Image:PT-141_chemical_structure_lo_res.png|thumb|350px|Chemical structure of PT-141

PT-141 is a new medication for use in treating sexual dysfunction in men (erectile dysfunction or impotence) as well as sexual dysfunction in women (sexual arousal disorder). It seems to be the first real aphrodisiac. Unlike Viagra and other related medications, it does not act upon the vascular system, but directly increases sexual desire. PT-141 is a spray introduced nasally.

Originally, the compound Melanotan II that PT-141 was developed from was tested as a sunless tanning agent. Melanotan II did induce tanning, accompanied by sexual arousal and spontaneous erections for male volunteers as unexpected side effects. In clinical studies, PT-141 has been shown to be effective in treating male erectile dysfunction and female sexual dysfunction. It is produced by Palatin Technologies.

PT-141 is a cyclic hepta-peptide lactam analog of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) that activates the melanocortin receptor (biochemistry)|receptors MC3-R and MC4-R in the central nervous system. It has the amino acid sequence Ac-Nle-cycloAsp-His-<small>D</small>-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys-OH or cyclo-Nle⁴, Asp⁵, <small>D</small>-Phe⁷, Lys<sup>10<sup>alpha-MSH-(4-10). PT-141 is a metabolite of Melanotan II that lacks the C-terminus|C-terminal amide functional group|function.

In the United States it is currently in a Phase III clinical trial.

Last Modified:   2005-12-19