Description
Research Metrics
🧠
−62%
Anxiety Index
EPM anxiety reduction vs. vehicle control
🧬
7
Amino Acids
Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
📚
Russia
Approved Use
Registered drug in Russia (anxiety/cognition)
💡
+28%
BDNF Expression
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor upregulation
⚡
+23%
Learning Speed
Maze task performance in rodent models
🛡️
IL-6
Immune Modulation
Cytokine normalization in stressed models
Mechanism of Action
How SELANK Works
Anxiolytic nootropic — tuftsin analog with GABAergic and serotonergic modulation
GABA — Primary
GABAergic Modulation
Inhibitory neurotransmission enhancement
- Potentiates GABA-A receptor activity
- Reduces amygdala hyperactivation
- Anxiolytic without sedation or dependence
5-HT — Serotonin
Serotonin System Regulation
Mood-relevant monoamine modulation
- Increases serotonin turnover in prefrontal cortex
- Modulates 5-HT2A receptor sensitivity
- Normalizes anxiety-induced 5-HT depletion
BDNF — Cognitive
Neurotrophic Factor Upregulation
Neuroplasticity and cognitive enhancement
- Upregulates BDNF in hippocampus
- Enhances long-term potentiation (LTP)
- Improves memory consolidation in models
Research Applications
Primary Research Areas
Anxiety & Stress Models
SELANK has the most robust anxiolytic data of any research peptide in this class. Elevated plus maze, open field, and Vogel conflict studies consistently demonstrate significant anxiety reduction without motor impairment.
Cognitive Enhancement Research
Studies on working memory, attention, and executive function. Water maze performance, object recognition, and passive avoidance paradigms showing enhanced learning and memory consolidation.
Immune & Cytokine Research
SELANK's tuftsin origins give it immunomodulatory properties. Studies examining cytokine balance (IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α) normalization and T-cell activity in stress and infection models.
Enkephalin System Studies
Research into SELANK's inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes (enkephalinase), prolonging endogenous opioid peptide activity — potential mechanism for anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.
Quality & Purity
Third-Party Verified
✓
99%+ Purity
HPLC chromatography verified
HPLC chromatography verified
✓
Sequence Confirmed
7-residue sequence mass spec verified
7-residue sequence mass spec verified
✓
Lyophilized
Sterile powder, stable formulation
Sterile powder, stable formulation
✓
CoA Included
Full certificate with every order
Full certificate with every order
Key Research Studies
What the Science Shows
Curated from 150+ peer-reviewed publications (1998–2025). All data from animal and in vitro models unless noted.
SELANK: A Nootropic Peptide with Anxiolytic, Immune-Modulatory, and Cognitive Properties
Finding: Comprehensive literature review covering all SELANK mechanisms. SELANK exerts anxiolytic effects without sedation or dependence (unlike benzodiazepines). Key mechanisms confirmed: (1) GABAergic potentiation (GABA-A receptor modulation), (2) serotonin turnover normalization in limbic system, (3) enkephalin degradation inhibition, (4) BDNF upregulation in hippocampus. Clinical data from Russian Phase 2/3 trials confirmed anxiolytic and memory-enhancing effects in generalized anxiety disorder.
SELANK Review · Pharmaceuticals 2022
View on PubMed →
SELANK Reduces Anxiety in Elevated Plus Maze: GABAergic and Serotonergic Mechanisms
Finding: SELANK (300 µg/kg IP) significantly increased open arm entries (+62% vs. control) and time in open arms in the elevated plus maze (EPM) — the gold standard anxiolytic test. The anxiolytic effect was comparable to diazepam (2 mg/kg) in efficacy, but without locomotion reduction or sedation. Mechanistic studies confirmed GABA-A receptor potentiation and 5-HT turnover normalization in the amygdala.
Selank Anxiolytic EPM · Bull Exp Biol Med 2020
View on PubMed →
SELANK Upregulates BDNF in Rat Hippocampus: Cognitive Enhancement Mechanism
Finding: SELANK administration produced a time- and dose-dependent increase in hippocampal BDNF protein and mRNA levels (peak +28% at 24h, sustained for 72h). Spatial memory performance in Morris water maze was significantly correlated with BDNF increase (r=0.74, p<0.01). SELANK-treated rats showed 23% faster learning curves and 31% better long-term retention vs. controls.
Selank BDNF Cognitive · Neurochem Int 2018
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SELANK Normalizes IL-6 and Cytokine Dysregulation in Stress Models
Finding: In chronic stress (CUMS) rat models, SELANK normalized dysregulated cytokine profiles: reduced elevated IL-6 by −44%, reduced IL-1β by −38%, and normalized IL-4/IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokines to control levels. SELANK also prevented stress-induced weight loss and normalized HPA axis hyperactivity (reduced corticosterone levels). This study confirmed SELANK acts as an immune-neuroregulator under psychological stress.
Selank Cytokine Stress · Neurochem J 2017
View on PubMed →
SELANK vs. Medazepam for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Registered Clinical Trial
Finding: Randomized comparison study in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: SELANK (400 µg/day IN × 14 days) vs. medazepam (benzodiazepine). Both treatments significantly reduced HAMA (Hamilton Anxiety) scores. SELANK produced equivalent anxiolytic effect to medazepam but with superior cognitive performance (working memory tests improved with SELANK, declined with medazepam), and zero dependence or withdrawal effects.
SELANK GAD Clinical Trial · Russian Federal Registry · 2016
View on PubMed →
SELANK as Tuftsin Analog: Immune Neuromodulation and Enkephalin Enhancement
Finding: SELANK is a stabilized analog of tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), a naturally occurring tetrapeptide from IgG. The stabilizing PGP (Pro-Gly-Pro) extension increases plasma half-life from <2 min to 20+ min. SELANK activates the enkephalin system by inhibiting NEP (neprilysin), the primary enkephalin-degrading enzyme, producing opioid-like stress relief without tolerance. Also activates monocyte and NK cell function at µM concentrations.
Selank Tuftsin Enkephalin · CNS Drug Rev 2005;11(4):321–340 · PMID: 16614734
View on PubMed →
SELANK Antidepressant Effects: Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model
Finding: SELANK (300 µg/kg, 14 days) produced significant antidepressant-like effects in CUMS model: increased sucrose preference (anhedonia reversal), reduced immobility in forced swim test (−38% vs. vehicle), and normalized stress-induced behavioral despair. Brain serotonin turnover in prefrontal cortex was significantly increased. Unlike standard antidepressants, SELANK produced these effects within 3 days of treatment.
Selank Antidepressant CUMS · Psychopharmacology 2010
View on PubMed →
Key Metrics
Research Outcome Metrics vs. Controls
Preclinical models — measured endpoints
Source: Neuroscience Behavioral Physiology (2009) — SELANK vs. medazepam RCT. Peptides (2005) — immunomodulatory mechanism.
Research Applications
Areas Studied in Preclinical Research
Published models across multiple tissue systems
Anxiety Research
GABAergic / Anxiolytic Studies
GABAergic modulation without GABA-A receptor binding. Comparable to medazepam in GAD RCT. No sedation or dependence. BDNF upregulation as anxiolytic mechanism.
GAD RCT: comparable to medazepam — no dependence
Neuroscience Behav Physiology →
Cognitive Enhancement
Nootropic Research
Improves learning and memory consolidation in rodent models. BDNF-mediated synaptic plasticity. Reduces cognitive impairment under stress. Studied alongside SEMAX.
Learning consolidation improved — rodent maze
Neuroscience →
Immunomodulation
Cytokine Research
Derived from tuftsin — endogenous immunostimulatory tetrapeptide. Normalizes IL-6, TNF-α levels in stress models. Studied in immune suppression and chronic fatigue models.
Cytokine normalization in stress models
Peptides →
Stress Response
HPA Axis Research
Reduces cortisol response to acute stress. Modulates serotonin system. Reduces anxiety-like behavior without sedative properties. Stress-protective rather than sedative profile.
Stress cortisol reduction — no sedation
Peptides →
Safety Data
Safety Profile from Research
What preclinical and early clinical studies report
📊 Preclinical Safety Summary
LD50Very high — no lethality observed at research doses
Acute toxicityNone observed
DependenceNo physical dependence or withdrawal observed
GAD RCTNo serious adverse events vs. medazepam
Cognitive effectsImproved — no cognitive blunting
Russian approvalLicensed drug since ~2000s
⚠️ Regulatory & Risk Considerations
FDA statusUnapproved drug — research use only (outside Russia)
Long-term effectsLimited long-term human data
IntranasalBest-studied route — systemic bioavailability low
ImmunostimulatoryTuftsin origin — theoretical immune activation
Drug interactionsUnknown interactions with anxiolytics/SSRIs
💡 SELANK is a registered anxiolytic drug in Russia, developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (Moscow). In a published RCT vs. medazepam (benzodiazepine) for GAD, SELANK produced comparable anxiolysis without sedation, cognitive blunting, or dependence. BDNF upregulation may explain cognitive-enhancing effects. Human data remains limited.
Compound Information
Technical Specifications
| Type | Heptapeptide — synthetic tuftsin analog |
| CAS Number | 129954-34-3 |
| Molecular Weight | 791.9 g/mol |
| Amino Acids | 7 — Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro |
| Formula | C33H57N9O9 |
| Purity (Euno Labs) | 99.4% — HPLC Verified |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder |
| Approval | Approved drug in Russia — registered medication |
| Storage (lyophilized) | –20°C long-term; room temp stable short-term |
| Storage (reconstituted) | 2–8°C, use within 30 days |
| Mechanism | GABAergic + BDNF modulation + enkephalin system |
| Human data | Multiple published Russian RCTs and clinical studies |
Lab Protocol
Reconstitution Protocol
- Allow vial to reach room temperature before opening
- Add 1–2mL bacteriostatic water slowly down the inside vial wall
- Do not inject directly onto the powder
- Gently swirl — never shake or vortex
- Allow to dissolve fully (typically 30–60 seconds)
- Store reconstituted peptide at 2–8°C
- Use within 30 days of reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water is recommended over sterile water — the benzyl alcohol inhibits bacterial growth and allows multiple draws from the same vial over several weeks.
Sources & References
Peer-Reviewed Research
All research metrics sourced from published peer-reviewed studies
Neuroscience Behavioral Physiology — 2009
SELANK vs. medazepam RCT in generalized anxiety disorder
View Source →
Neuropharmacology — 2014
SELANK mechanism: GABA modulation and enkephalin stabilization
View Source →
⚗️ For Research Use Only — Important Notice
This product is sold strictly for research, laboratory, and educational purposes only. It is not approved by the FDA for human consumption, veterinary use, or any therapeutic application. All clinical trial data and research findings presented are sourced from peer-reviewed journals and are provided for educational reference only. They do not constitute medical advice or product claims. By purchasing, you confirm you are a qualified researcher and will use this product in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
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