Semax is a heptapeptide analog of the ACTH(4-7) fragment with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. Developed in Russia at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Semax was designed to retain the cognitive and neuroprotective properties associated with ACTH-derived peptides while eliminating their steroidogenic activity. It has been studied extensively in neuroscience research contexts.
Laboratory investigations have characterized Semax's interactions with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway. In rodent model studies, Semax exposure has been associated with increased BDNF and TrkB mRNA expression in hippocampal and cortical tissue, placing it within the growing field of neurotrophic factor research. Researchers have also examined its reported modulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic markers in preclinical neural models.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the endogenous immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), developed in Russia at the Institute of Molecular Genetics. With the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, Selank was designed to combine tuftsin-like biological activity with enhanced metabolic stability, as the Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal extension confers resistance to proteolytic degradation.
In laboratory and preclinical research, Selank has been investigated for its effects on anxiolytic-like behavior in animal models, as well as for its interactions with the GABAergic system, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression, and enkephalin metabolism. Research has also examined its putative immunomodulatory properties in the context of its tuftsin-derived sequence.