PT-141 is a new medication for use in treating sexual dysfunction in men (erectile dysfunction or impotence) as well as 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 PT-141 compound was tested as a pigmentation inducer in sun cream for pale-skinned men. It did induce tanning, accompanied by sexual arousal and erections as unexpected side effects. In clinical studies, it was 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 receptors MC3-R and MC4-R in the central nervous system. It has the amino acid sequence Ac-Nle-cyclo[Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys]-OH or cyclo-[Nle⁴, Asp⁵, D-Phe⁷, Lys^{10]alpha-MSH-(4-10). PT-141 is a metabolite of Melanotan II that lacks the C-terminal amide function.}

External links

• Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci 101: 10201 (2004) A scientific study with female rats.
• Review article (in German).
• Palatin Technologies The company that has developed PT-141.
• Melanotan.org
• US 6,579,968 PT-141 patent