Selank

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide, Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, constructed by extending the immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. The extension is the same stabilising strategy used in Semax: proline-rich C-terminal sequences resist aminopeptidase cleavage and substantially increase half-life in biological fluids.

The pharmacology attributed to it is anxiolytic without sedation, which is the property that distinguishes it from benzodiazepines and makes it interesting as a research tool. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of GABAergic transmission, effects on serotonin metabolism, and regulation of enkephalin-degrading enzyme activity — the last of which would prolong endogenous opioid peptide signalling rather than acting on opioid receptors directly.

Reported effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in hippocampus link it to the same neurotrophic literature as Semax, with which it is often studied in parallel.

Findings below are drawn from published preclinical and clinical work and are presented for research context only.

• Tuftsin lineage. The peptide is a stabilised tuftsin analog; the parent tetrapeptide has its own immunomodulatory literature.

• Anxiolysis without sedation. The reported separation of anxiolytic effect from sedation is the property most often cited as distinguishing this compound from conventional anxiolytics.

• Enkephalin degradation. Inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes is proposed as a mechanism, which would act by prolonging endogenous opioid signalling rather than by receptor agonism.

• Neurotrophic signalling. Reported effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression connect it to the Semax literature.

• Connectomic studies. Recent functional connectomic work has examined Selank and Semax together, comparing their network-level effects directly.

This section describes laboratory handling. It is not clinical guidance, and no safety claim for human or veterinary administration is made or implied.

• Supplied lyophilized. Reconstituted peptide solutions have materially shorter working stability than the dry powder — prepare working aliquots and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

• Handle as a research chemical of undetermined hazard. Use gloves, eye protection and a laboratory coat.

• Storage temperature and, where applicable, reconstitution conditions are stated on the item specification sheet and the lot Certificate of Analysis, which take precedence over general guidance.

• Dispose of unused material and consumables in accordance with the institutional chemical waste policy.

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, cosmetic or dietary supplement.

Selank is a stabilised heptapeptide analog of tuftsin studied for anxiolytic activity that is reported to occur without the sedation characteristic of conventional anxiolytics.

Proposed mechanisms span GABAergic modulation, serotonin metabolism and inhibition of enkephalin degradation; none is established as primary. Much of the literature originates in Russian-language pharmacology and is often studied in parallel with Semax.

1. Konstantinopolsky MA, Chernyakova IV, Kolik LG. Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2022;173(6):730-733.

2. Panikratova YR, Lebedeva IS, Sokolov OY, Rumshiskaya AD, Kupriyanov DA, Kost NV, et al. Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects. Dokl Biol Sci. 2020;490(1):9-11.

3. Kolik LG, Nadorova AV, Antipova TA, Kruglov SV, Kudrin VS, Durnev AD. Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2019;167(5):641-644.

4. Siebert A, Gensicka-Kowalewska M, Cholewinski G, Dzierzbicka K. Tuftsin - Properties and Analogs. Curr Med Chem. 2017;24(34):3711-3727.

5. Filatova E, Kasian A, Kolomin T, Rybalkina E, Alieva A, Andreeva L, et al. GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:89.

6. Volkova A, Shadrina M, Kolomin T, Andreeva L, Limborska S, Myasoedov N, et al. Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:31.

7. Medvedev VE, Tereshchenko ON, Kost NV, Ter-Israelyan AY, Gushanskaya EV, Chobanu IK, et al. [Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2015;115(6):33-40.

8. Kolomin T, Morozova M, Volkova A, Shadrina M, Andreeva L, Slominsky P, et al. The temporary dynamics of inflammation-related genes expression under tuftsin analog Selank action. Mol Immunol. 2014;58(1):50-5.