P Palthera
Synthetic Peptides

SNAP-8

Acetyl octapeptide-3 / Acetyl glutamyl octapeptide-3

SNAP-8 (acetyl octapeptide-3) is a synthetic peptide marketed in cosmetic formulations and studied as a topical agent in small dermatology cohorts. It is an N-acetylated 8- analog of the SNAP-25 and is proposed to interact with SNARE-complex assembly — a mechanism shared with botulinum-toxin biology, though SNAP-8 itself is not a neurotoxin.

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Synthetic Peptides
Classification
Cosmetic-research peptide · Acetyl octapeptide-3 · SNARE-complex–targeting analog
Research stage
Cosmetic-formulation research — small-cohort human studies and in vitro work
Sequence
Ac-EEMQRR-NH2 (acetyl-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2 — N-terminally acetylated, 8-residue analog of the SNAP-25 N-terminus)
Molecular weight
Approximately 894 Da

Snapshot

Key takeaways

A three-bullet snapshot before reading the full dossier.

  1. 01

    Eight- acetylated analog of the SNAP-25 used in topical cosmetic formulations.

  2. 02

    Cited evidence is small-cohort human and work focused on dermatology endpoints, not neuromuscular effects.

  3. 03

    Not a botulinum-toxin substitute; mechanism characterisation is limited.

Dossier overview

3

research areas

2

references

3

handling notes

01

Mechanism of action

SNAP-8 is proposed to compete with the SNAP-25 during SNARE-complex assembly, with the marketed claim being modulation of muscle-related expression in topical contexts. The molecular evidence base is limited, and clinical effect sizes in published cosmetic studies are small.

02

Research applications

  • Topical cosmetic peptide formulation research
  • Dermatology small-cohort wrinkle-depth assessments
  • Microneedle and transdermal delivery studies

Evidence at a glance

What's behind this profile

2 citations · 2020–2024

Human
2

Studies in human volunteers or patients (incl. early-phase trials).

Publication years

  1. 20
  2. 21
  3. 22
  4. 23
  5. 24
20202024

Counts are derived from the cited studies below. A study covering both in vivo and in vitro work is counted by its primary model. Sample size is reported in 0 of 2 citations. Findings remain model-specific and are not extrapolated to therapeutic use.

03

Study references

Each profile cites a minimum of two peer-reviewed sources, with model type and reported sample size where the source provides it. Findings are model-specific and must not be extrapolated to therapeutic use.

A clinical study on the efficacy and tolerability of an acetyl hexapeptide- and acetyl octapeptide-loaded dissolving microneedle patch on periorbital wrinkles

2020

Avcil M et al. · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology

Model
Human pharmacology — small-cohort cosmetic study in adult volunteers
Sample
Not reported in abstract (small cohort)

Reported reduction in periorbital wrinkle metrics following topical microneedle delivery of acetyl hexapeptide and acetyl octapeptide-3.

PMID 31134751 DOI 10.1111/jocd.13009

Microneedle-mediated transdermal delivery of acetyl hexapeptide-8 and acetyl octapeptide-3 for periorbital wrinkles

2024

Shin J et al. · Annals of Dermatology

Model
Human pharmacology — small-cohort cosmetic study in adult volunteers
Sample
Not reported in abstract (small cohort)

Reported small but statistically reported improvements in periorbital wrinkle parameters with microneedle-delivered acetyl peptide combination.

PMID 39082657 DOI 10.5021/ad.23.122

Evidence caveats

  • Cosmetic-trial evidence is limited to small cohorts and short follow-up.
  • Mechanism is inferred from SNAP-25 sequence homology rather than direct SNARE-complex biochemistry in published peer-reviewed studies.
  • Not a substitute for botulinum-toxin treatments; topical effect sizes in published studies are small.

04

Storage and handling

Typically stored in a cool, dry environment under controlled laboratory conditions per supplier documentation.

  • Use supplier documentation for batch-specific handling.
  • Limit repeated cycles during research inventory handling.
  • Document date and storage condition where applicable.

Common questions

SNAP-8 FAQ

Plain-English answers backed by the citations on this profile — what it is, what's been studied, regulatory status, evidence limits.

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