Rigin (Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7)

Also known as: Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Pal-GQPR

Evidence: Preclinical

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Overview

Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 (Pal-GQPR), a lipidated IgG fragment sold in the Matrixyl 3000 blend; IL-6 claims come from supplier data, and published human work tests only the blend.

Strictly, rigin is the unmodified tetrapeptide Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg, a tuftsin-like fragment of human IgG that stimulated phagocytosis as strongly as tuftsin (Veretennikova et al., 1981); this record covers its palmitoylated form. Supplier data, repeated in reviews, say it lowers IL-6 and raises laminin and collagen VII (Resende et al., 2021). It is sold mainly with palmitoyl tripeptide-1 as Matrixyl 3000. Sederma authors reported improved dermal matrix structure versus placebo with that blend (Mondon et al., 2015), and it was detected in the stratum corneum of three volunteers (Trzaska et al., 2026). CIR found it safe in cosmetics at typical use under 10 ppm (Johnson et al., 2018).

Benefits

IL-6 reduction (supplier in vitro data, not peer reviewed), dermal matrix changes vs placebo with palmitoyl tripeptide-1 (supplier-run human study), stratum corneum uptake (human, n=3)

Dosing reference

Research dose
Topical, typically under 10 ppm in finished products (CIR 2018); no trial-derived concentration for the peptide alone.

Topical only, typically under 10 ppm (CIR). Human data are supplier-run and test it combined with palmitoyl tripeptide-1, as in Matrixyl 3000.

Mechanism

Proposed. The parent tetrapeptide GQPR is a tuftsin-like immunomodulator that stimulated phagocytosis in vitro (Veretennikova et al., 1981). For the palmitoylated form, the supplier reports lower IL-6 secretion, less UVB-induced inflammation and more laminin and collagen VII; these figures appear in reviews but not in peer-reviewed primary studies (Resende et al., 2021). Protection of collagen from inflammatory breakdown and reduced glycation have no published source.

Evidence

Preclinical: animal or in vitro data only

  • The unmodified tetrapeptide Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg, isolated from human IgG, stimulated phagocytosis as strongly as tuftsin (Veretennikova et al., 1981)
  • Blend with palmitoyl tripeptide-1 thinned the subepidermal low-echogenic band and improved dermal matrix structure vs placebo by confocal microscopy; Sederma-run (Mondon et al., 2015)
  • Detected in all stratum corneum layers, intercellularly, in 3 volunteers after a Matrixyl 3000 serum (Trzaska et al., 2026)
  • CIR panel: safe in cosmetics at present use, typically under 10 ppm (Johnson et al., 2018)
  • Human-trial status: no RCT of palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 alone; human data are supplier-run blend studies

References

Side effects

CIR reviewed negative safety test data and found no concern at use concentrations under 10 ppm (Johnson et al., 2018). No systemic data exist. Commonly reported (anecdotal): mild irritation.

Storage

Storage
Room temperature, away from light
Lyophilized
2 years at room temp
Reconstituted
N/A (ready to use)

Pharmacology

Half-life
No published pharmacokinetic data in any species
Bioavailability
Topical (3 human volunteers, Matrixyl 3000 serum, 0.5 to 5 h): present in all stratum corneum layers, intercellular; dermal penetration not measured
Molecular weight
694.92 Da
Sequence
Palmitoyl-Gly-Gln-Pro-Arg

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