Hexapeptide-10

Mechanism of action

Binds alpha3, alpha6 and beta1 integrins and signals through the ERK pathway to raise matrix metalloproteinase secretion in a human carcinoma cell line (2007); stimulates capillary sprouting with VEGF ex vivo and revascularisation in a rat hindlimb ischemia model (2000). Laboratory and animal data only.

Primary uses

• Cosmetic skin-care formulations
• Research: angiogenesis, wound-closure scaffolds, laminin biology

Typical dosing

Regulatory status

Not a drug: PubChem lists it under its INCI name as a cosmetic ingredient (CID 10145673). Drugs@FDA and the EMA medicines list hold no record for it (searched October 28, 2026).

Status as of this entry's last review, October 28, 2026. Approvals, compounding rules and sport rules change; the regulatory tracker is checked more often.

What we checked

Hexapeptide-10 is the cosmetic name for the laminin peptide SIKVAV, which has a laboratory literature of its own; this section records what can be checked.

Identity, computed

The sequence is the one PubChem's record gives for the INCI ingredient; the values below are computed and agree with PubChem's formula.

Regulatory status, read October 28, 2026

Drugs@FDA: 0 records for “hexapeptide-10”. EMA medicines list: 0 records for “hexapeptide-10”. Run for semaglutide, the same queries return 6 and 5 records (and the registry search 80 trials), so a zero here is an absence, not a broken search. Not named on the WADA 2026 and 2027 Prohibited Lists. As a substance with no current approval for human therapeutic use, it falls under section S0 (non-approved substances), which is prohibited at all times; the lists were read on October 28, 2026.

What the studies show

SIKVAV bound alpha3, alpha6 and beta1 integrins and raised MMP9 secretion through the ERK pathway in adenoid cystic carcinoma cells (Freitas et al., 2007).

With VEGF it stimulated capillary sprouting, and it revascularised ischemic rat hindlimbs (Grant and Zukowska, 2000).

A SIKVAV-modified chitosan hydrogel was tested as a skin substitute for wound closure in mice (Chen et al., 2018).

A 1991 review reported that basement membrane and the SIKVAV peptide promoted tumour growth and metastases (Sweeney et al., 1991).

A 2026 chemistry paper used hexapeptide-10 as the worked example for a phosphite-mediated peptide synthesis method, making it in ten steps at 55% overall yield (Ishihara et al., 2026); it is about manufacture, not effect.

What we looked for and did not find

No study in people, no registry record and no drug approval.

References

1. [other] PubChem CID 10145673, Hexapeptide-10: formula C28H53N7O8, molecular weight 615.8. Read October 28, 2026. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/10145673
2. [pubmed] Freitas VM, et al. "SIKVAV, a laminin alpha1-derived peptide, interacts with integrins and increases protease activity of a human salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma cell line through the ERK 1/2 signaling pathway." Am J Pathol, 2007;171(1):124-38. PMID: 17591960.
3. [review] Grant DS, et al. "Revascularization of ischemic tissues with SIKVAV and neuropeptide Y (NPY)." Adv Exp Med Biol, 2000;476:139-54. PMID: 10949662.
4. [pubmed] Chen X, et al. "SIKVAV-Modified Chitosan Hydrogel as a Skin Substitutes for Wound Closure in Mice." Molecules, 2018;23(10). PMID: 30314388.
5. [review] Sweeney TM, et al. "Basement membrane and the SIKVAV laminin-derived peptide promote tumor growth and metastases." Cancer Metastasis Rev, 1991;10(3):245-54. PMID: 1764767.
6. [pubmed] Ishihara K, et al. "Phosphite-Mediated Peptide Bond Formation through Fragment Condensation." J Org Chem, 2026;91(32):11127-11134. PMID: 42599491.

Related peptides

Guides & tools