Selank

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide comprising the tuftsin fragment Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension added for enzymatic stability. It is supplied as a lyophilised powder. Identity is confirmed by mass spectrometry against the calculated mass and purity by reversed-phase HPLC with a stated method. Basic residues in the sequence affect chromatographic behaviour, so the specific method and gradient reported on the certificate of analysis matter when comparing purity figures between suppliers. Values on this record come from supplier documentation.

Selank was developed by the same Russian research programme that produced Semax, based on the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, and is registered as a medicine in Russia for anxiety-related indications. As with Semax, that registration reflects a different regulatory tradition and evidentiary threshold from FDA or EMA review, and most supporting studies were published in Russian-language journals.

Published work examines effects on GABAergic and serotonergic signalling in rodent brain, modulation of enkephalin-degrading enzyme activity and consequent effects on endogenous enkephalin levels, changes in expression of genes related to inflammation and neurotransmission in rodent tissue, and behavioural endpoints in anxiety and learning models. Immunomodulatory activity inherited from the tuftsin motif, including effects on cytokine expression, is also examined.

Enzymatic stabilisation conferred by the Pro-Gly-Pro extension relative to bare tuftsin is documented. Effects on enkephalin degradation in rodent tissue have been reported in more than one study. Anxiolytic-type behavioural findings in standard rodent paradigms are reasonably consistent within the published set, and the absence of the sedative and motor effects characteristic of benzodiazepines in those same paradigms is a repeated observation.

There are no randomised controlled trials meeting Western regulatory standards, and no approval outside the Russian registration. The human studies are small, frequently open-label or with incompletely described blinding, and conducted by groups connected to the original programme; independent replication is essentially absent. Rodent behavioural paradigms for anxiety have well-documented translational limitations that the literature rarely addresses. Human pharmacokinetics, including central exposure after peripheral administration, are poorly characterised. Long-term exposure data do not exist. The evidence base is thin, and this record is deliberately shorter than a padded version would be.

Store the lyophilised solid per the storage conditions on this record, protected from light and moisture, equilibrating the sealed vial before opening. Hygroscopic uptake and repeated freeze-thaw of reconstituted material are the principal analytical risks. This section covers laboratory handling of the material as supplied only, and contains no preparation or administration procedure.

Indexed citations with verified PMIDs appear below. Analytical methods are described in testing methodology; documentation requirements in sourcing standards. Related records: Semax and the compound index.