Table of Contents
- SNAP-8 at a glance
- Where SNAP-8 comes from: Argireline
- How SNAP-8 differs from Argireline
- How SNAP-8 is studied
- What laboratory penetration data shows
- What is not yet known
- SNAP-8 from Cenexa Labs
- Frequently asked questions
- References
SNAP-8 is a synthetic peptide made of eight amino acids, also known by its ingredient name acetyl octapeptide-3. It is an extended version of Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3), a six amino acid peptide designed to interfere with the protein complex that nerve endings use to release signals [1,4]. SNAP-8 adds two amino acids, alanine and aspartic acid, to the end of the Argireline sequence.
SNAP-8 at a glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Names | SNAP-8, acetyl octapeptide-3, acetyl glutamyl octapeptide-3 |
| CAS number | 868844-74-0 [4] |
| Sequence | Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2 |
| Molecular formula | C41H70N16O16S [4] |
| Molecular weight | 1075.2 g/mol [4] |
| Peptide class | Neurotransmitter inhibitor peptide [2] |
| Parent peptide | Argireline (acetyl hexapeptide-3), CAS 616204-22-9 [5] |
Where SNAP-8 comes from: Argireline
To understand SNAP-8, start with the peptide it was built on. In 2002, a research team published the design of Argireline, a six amino acid peptide (Ac-EEMQRR-NH2) created through a rational design program [1].
Nerve endings release their chemical signals with the help of the SNARE complex, a group of proteins that lets small packets of neurotransmitter fuse with the cell membrane. In laboratory tests, Argireline interfered with the formation or stability of this complex and significantly reduced neurotransmitter release [1]. SNAP-8 was developed as a longer version of the same sequence.
How SNAP-8 differs from Argireline
SNAP-8 keeps all six Argireline amino acids and adds two more at the end. Both carry an acetyl group at the start of the chain and an amide group at the end, shown as Ac and NH2 in their sequences [4,5].
| Argireline | SNAP-8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient name | Acetyl hexapeptide-3 | Acetyl octapeptide-3 |
| Length | 6 amino acids | 8 amino acids |
| Sequence | Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2 | Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2 |
| Molecular weight | 887.0 g/mol [5] | 1075.2 g/mol [4] |
| CAS number | 616204-22-9 | 868844-74-0 |
Most of the published laboratory work on how this family of peptides acts was done on Argireline. SNAP-8 is often described as a stronger version, but no published study directly compares the two.
How SNAP-8 is studied
Researchers sort cosmetic peptides into groups by how they act: neurotransmitter inhibitors, carrier peptides and signal peptides [2]. SNAP-8 belongs to the neurotransmitter inhibitor group, peptides studied for how they dampen the signal sent from a nerve ending.
Research questions for SNAP-8 include:
- How the added alanine and aspartic acid change the peptide’s interaction with the SNARE complex compared with Argireline.
- How the peptide moves into and through skin tissue in laboratory diffusion models.
- How stable it is, and how it behaves alongside other ingredients in a formulation.
What laboratory penetration data shows
The clearest penetration data for this peptide family comes from Argireline. In a 2015 laboratory diffusion study, a formulation containing 10% Argireline was applied to skin samples for 24 hours [3]. Most of the peptide stayed on the surface and was washed off. Of what entered the tissue, most stayed in the outermost layer, about 0.01% of the applied amount reached the next layer, and none was detected in the deeper dermis [3].
SNAP-8 is a larger molecule than Argireline, and how it penetrates has not yet been measured in published work. That makes delivery one of the main open questions in SNAP-8 research.
What is not yet known
- No published study has tested SNAP-8 on its own in a controlled comparison.
- No published study compares SNAP-8 directly with Argireline.
- How SNAP-8 penetrates skin tissue has not been measured in published work.
SNAP-8 from Cenexa Labs
Cenexa Labs offers SNAP-8 in two research forms:
- Snap-8 Peptide Topical Powder: a raw peptide powder for topical formulation research.
- Snap-8 Peptide Lyophilized Research Vial: the same compound, supplied as a lyophilized powder in a sealed research vial.
Both are made in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
What is SNAP-8?
SNAP-8 is acetyl octapeptide-3, a synthetic eight amino acid peptide built by adding alanine and aspartic acid to Argireline. It belongs to the neurotransmitter inhibitor class of cosmetic peptides [2,4].
Is SNAP-8 the same as Argireline?
No. Argireline has six amino acids and SNAP-8 has eight. SNAP-8 contains the full Argireline sequence plus two more amino acids at the end [4,5].
Is SNAP-8 stronger than Argireline?
It is often described that way, but no published study compares the two directly.
How does SNAP-8 work?
Its parent peptide, Argireline, was shown in laboratory tests to interfere with the SNARE complex, the proteins nerve endings use to release signals [1]. SNAP-8 is studied for the same activity.
For the full mechanism and laboratory data, see our SNAP-8 research overview.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.
References
- Blanes-Mira, C., Clemente, J., Jodas, G., Gil, A., Fernandez-Ballester, G., Ponsati, B., Gutierrez, L., Perez-Paya, E., & Ferrer-Montiel, A. (2002). A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 24(5), 303-310. PubMed
- Errante, F., Ledwon, P., Latajka, R., Rovero, P., & Papini, A.M. (2020). Cosmeceutical peptides in the framework of sustainable wellness economy. Frontiers in Chemistry, 8, 572923. PubMed
- Kraeling, M.E.K., Zhou, W., Wang, P., & Ogunsola, O.A. (2015). In vitro skin penetration of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from a cosmetic formulation. Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 34(1), 46-52. PubMed
- PubChem. Acetyl octapeptide-3, CID 76283482. National Library of Medicine. PubChem
- PubChem. Acetyl hexapeptide-3, CID 71587772. National Library of Medicine. PubChem
