[D-Trp8]-γ-MSH is a potent and selective agonist of melanocortin 3 (MC3) receptor, with IC50s of 6.7 nM, 600 nM and 340 nM for hMC3, hMC4 and hMC5, respectively in CHO cells. [D-Trp8]-γ-MSH could provide protection against multiple inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and colitis.