What is SNAP-8?
SNAP-8, also called acetyl octapeptide-3, is a synthetic peptide with the sequence Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2. It belongs to a group of cosmetic-research peptides modeled on the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, a protein of the SNARE complex, which drives calcium-dependent release of neurotransmitter from vesicles.
It is two residues longer than acetyl hexapeptide-3 (Argireline), Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2, whose founding paper reported that it interferes with SNARE complex formation and inhibits neurotransmitter release (Blanes-Mira et al., 2002); a review describes SNAP-8 as working the same way (Errante et al., 2020). The peer-reviewed literature on SNAP-8 itself is thin, and this guide says so where it applies. Disguised Alpha supplies the SNAP-8 peptide as a lyophilized powder for laboratory research use only. Nothing on this page is guidance for use in people.
SNAP-8 reference data
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | SNAP-8 |
| Also called | Snap8, acetyl octapeptide-3, acetyl octapeptide-1, acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-3 (PubChem CID 76283482) |
| Sequence | Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2 (N-terminal acetyl group, C-terminal amide) |
| Peptide class | Synthetic acetylated octapeptide; matches residues 12 to 19 of human SNAP-25 (UniProt P60880) |
| Molecular formula | C₄₁H₇₀N₁₆O₁₆S |
| Molecular weight | 1075.2 g/mol |
| CAS number | 868844-74-0 (PubChem CID 76283482) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Size carried | 10MG |
| Testing | Third-party tested, with the certificate for each lot published on the product page and in the COA portal |
Formula, molecular weight, CAS number, form, size and storage are from the SNAP-8 product page. PubChem CID 76283482 gives the same formula and weight and lists the sequence and aliases; the SNAP-25 alignment is from UniProt entry P60880. A second PubChem record carrying the SNAP-8 trade name (CID 71587832) shows a different formula, C₄₂H₇₂N₁₆O₁₅S at 1073.2 g/mol, from a structure that does not match the sequence, so look the compound up by CAS number. Confirm identity and measured content against your lot's certificate.
What the research covers
A PubMed search for SNAP-8 and its synonyms returns very little: two cosmetic microneedle-patch studies in volunteers in which it was one of several ingredients, and a review that describes it largely from manufacturer data. No peer-reviewed cell, tissue or animal study of SNAP-8 on its own appears in PubMed, so most mechanistic evidence comes from the parent hexapeptide. Each summary below states the model used and which compound was tested.
The SNAP-25 mimetic design (parent hexapeptide)
Acetyl hexapeptide-3 came out of a rational design program for a non-toxic alternative to botulinum neurotoxins. In laboratory assays it inhibited neurotransmitter release with a potency similar to botulinum neurotoxin A but much lower efficacy, by interfering with formation or stability of the SNARE complex, and in a 30-day study in healthy women volunteers an emulsion containing it reduced wrinkle depth by up to 30 percent (Blanes-Mira et al., 2002). Models: release and SNARE-complex assays, and human volunteers. Compound tested: the hexapeptide, not SNAP-8.
What is reported for SNAP-8 itself
A 2020 review of cosmetic peptides describes SNAP-8, under the names acetyl octapeptide-1/-3 and acetyl glutamyl heptapeptide-3, as an elongated SNAP-25 mimic that competes with SNAP-25 during SNARE complex assembly and so reduces glutamate release. The only source the review gives for its SNAP-8 figures, including the degree of release inhibition and wrinkle reduction, is the manufacturer's website, not a peer-reviewed study (Errante et al., 2020). Model: literature and manufacturer data.
Microneedle patch studies in volunteers
Two studies with industry-affiliated authors, including a microneedle manufacturer, tested hyaluronic acid microneedle patches that contained acetyl octapeptide-3 together with other actives. A 12-week single-center study combined it with an arginine/lysine polypeptide, palmitoyl tripeptide-5, adenosine and seaweed extracts and reported good tolerability and changes in instrumental skin measures (Avcil et al., 2020).
A second study placed a patch containing it, a vitamin C derivative and a cyclic lysophosphatidic acid on one eye area and a hyaluronic acid-only placebo patch on the other in 24 healthy subjects for 28 days, and reported wrinkle and elasticity changes with no adverse effects (Shin et al., 2024). Because both patches combined several actives, neither study isolates an effect of SNAP-8. Model: healthy human volunteers, cosmetic formulation studies.
Skin penetration (parent hexapeptide)
In excised hairless guinea pig and human skin, most acetyl hexapeptide-8, the same Ac-EEMQRR-amide sequence, washed off the surface after application in an oil-in-water emulsion; about 0.22 percent of the applied amount was found in human stratum corneum, 0.01 percent in epidermis and none in dermis (Kraeling et al., 2015).
Another group attributed the poor permeation to the peptide's size and hydrophilic, zwitterionic character, improved human-skin permeation in vitro with modified analogs and compared glutamate-release inhibition in neurons derived from human dental pulp stem cells (Lim et al., 2018). SNAP-8 is larger, at 1075.2 g/mol, and no permeation study of it appears in PubMed. Models: excised animal and human skin, and human stem cell-derived neurons.
Controlled evidence and its limits
The parent hexapeptide has a randomized, placebo-controlled study: 60 Chinese subjects randomized 3:1 to the peptide or placebo for 4 weeks showed lower skin roughness parameters with the peptide and no clear change with placebo (Wang et al., 2013). A 2026 review of peptides in facial plastic surgery notes that most supporting evidence for these peptide classes comes from in vitro and ex vivo work rather than randomized trials (Shomorony and Denton, 2026). No randomized trial of SNAP-8 alone appears in PubMed. Models: human volunteers and literature review.
Key studies
- Blanes-Mira C, et al. "A synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) with antiwrinkle activity." Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002. PMID 18498523. DOI 10.1046/j.1467-2494.2002.00153.x. Parent hexapeptide: release and SNARE-complex assays plus a volunteer study.
- Wang Y, et al. "The anti-wrinkle efficacy of argireline, a synthetic hexapeptide, in Chinese subjects: a randomized, placebo-controlled study." Am J Clin Dermatol. 2013. PMID 23417317. DOI 10.1007/s40257-013-0009-9. Parent hexapeptide: randomized, placebo-controlled study in 60 subjects.
- Kraeling ME, et al. "In vitro skin penetration of acetyl hexapeptide-8 from a cosmetic formulation." Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2015. PMID 24754410. DOI 10.3109/15569527.2014.894521. Parent hexapeptide: penetration in excised hairless guinea pig and human skin.
- Avcil M, et al. "Efficacy of bioactive peptides loaded on hyaluronic acid microneedle patches: A monocentric clinical study." J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020. PMID 31134751. DOI 10.1111/jocd.13009. Multi-ingredient patch including acetyl octapeptide-3, 12 weeks.
- Errante F, et al. "Cosmeceutical Peptides in the Framework of Sustainable Wellness Economy." Front Chem. 2020. PMID 33195061. DOI 10.3389/fchem.2020.572923. Review describing SNAP-8, with figures from manufacturer data.
- Shin JY, et al. "Clinical Safety and Efficacy Evaluation of a Dissolving Microneedle Patch Having Dual Anti-Wrinkle Effects With Safe and Long-Term Activities." Ann Dermatol. 2024. PMID 39082657. DOI 10.5021/ad.23.136. Placebo-patch comparison in 24 subjects, three-active patch.
Handling and storage of lyophilized SNAP-8
General laboratory practice for this material:
- Store the vial at 15 to 25°C with the cap closed, away from direct light and heat, and do not freeze it (storage guidance on the product page).
- Lyophilized peptide powder takes up moisture from air, so open the vial briefly in a dry area and close it promptly.
- The sequence holds one methionine (position 3), which is prone to oxidation; limit exposure to air, light and oxidizers and prepare working solutions fresh.
- With three acidic side chains (two glutamates and an aspartate), two arginines and both ends capped, the peptide's charge depends on pH, so keep buffer pH consistent across comparisons.
- Reconstitute in a sterile solvent or buffer suited to the assay, adding it gently down the vial wall rather than shaking.
- Record the lot number and take the measured content from the certificate rather than the label mass.
Frequently asked questions
What is SNAP-8?
SNAP-8 is acetyl octapeptide-3, the synthetic octapeptide Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-Ala-Asp-NH2, described as a cosmetic-research peptide modeled on the N-terminal end of SNAP-25 (Errante et al., 2020).
Is SNAP-8 a peptide?
Yes. It is an eight-residue peptide with an acetylated N-terminus and an amidated C-terminus, with the formula C₄₁H₇₀N₁₆O₁₆S and a molecular weight of 1075.2 g/mol on the product page.
How is SNAP-8 related to Argireline?
Argireline, acetyl hexapeptide-3 (also listed as acetyl hexapeptide-8), is Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2 (Blanes-Mira et al., 2002). SNAP-8 adds Ala-Asp to that sequence, matching residues 12 to 19 of human SNAP-25 where Argireline matches residues 12 to 17. Nearly all of the mechanistic and controlled human data belong to Argireline.
What does the peer-reviewed literature say about SNAP-8?
Very little. PubMed holds two microneedle-patch studies in volunteers in which SNAP-8 was one of several ingredients (Avcil et al., 2020; Shin et al., 2024) and a review whose SNAP-8 figures come from the manufacturer (Errante et al., 2020). No independent cell, tissue or animal study of SNAP-8 alone was found.
How should SNAP-8 be stored?
Store the vial at 15 to 25°C with the cap closed, protected from direct light and heat, and do not freeze it, as listed on the product page.
Where can researchers buy SNAP-8?
Disguised Alpha sells SNAP-8 for laboratory research in a 10MG vial, third-party tested with the certificate published on the product page: SNAP-8.
Related compounds and guides
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- COA portal: every published certificate, by lot
This product is for research use only. It has not been evaluated for safety or effectiveness in humans. Not for human consumption. All products are intended for laboratory research purposes only.