Semax from Super Human Peptides UK is a synthetic heptapeptide. It is an analogue of the naturally occurring adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) fragment, specifically the ACTH(4-10) sequence, engineered with an additional Pro-Gly-Pro chain for extended metabolic stability. In laboratory research, Semax is heavily studied as a powerful nootropic, neuroprotective, and neurogenic agent.
Researchers utilize this peptide to investigate the up-regulation of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) within the central nervous system. Similar to Selank, it acts as an enkephalinase inhibitor to preserve endogenous stress-buffering peptides; however, Semax exhibits a highly stimulating, cognitive-enhancing profile rather than a strictly anxiolytic one. Produced under GMP-compliant conditions and verified for 99% purity or higher, Semax is an essential model for exploring memory consolidation, ischemic stroke recovery, and advanced neurogenesis.
- —ACTH Analogue: Synthetic derivative of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH 4-10) fragment.
- —Nootropic Profile: Studied for cognitive enhancement, learning acquisition, and focused stimulation.
- —Neurotrophic Up-regulation: Triggers rapid, dose-dependent increases in BDNF and NGF expression in the brain.
- —High Purity: 99% purity or higher (verified by HPLC and MS analysis).
- —Quality Standard: GMP / ISO certified manufacturing.
- —BDNF and NGF Expression: Measuring rapid increases in neurotrophic factors within the hippocampus and forebrain to support new neuron growth and synaptic plasticity.
- —Ischemic Stroke Recovery: Preclinical models exploring the prevention of hypoxic damage, reduction of nitric oxide generation, and cellular apoptosis following severe cerebral blood flow restriction.
- —Cognitive and Memory Enhancement: Investigating improvements in focus, spatial awareness, and memory consolidation during complex behavioral tasks.
- —Dopamine and Serotonin Modulation: Researching the peptide's ability to trigger the release of monoamines in the brain without the receptor down-regulation associated with traditional stimulants.
- —Optic Nerve Repair: Emerging studies exploring the regeneration of the optic nerve and retinal ganglion cells in models of neuropathy or glaucoma.
Semax was developed over several decades by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. While exploring the cognitive benefits of natural ACTH, researchers realized that the hormone degraded far too quickly to be therapeutically viable. By isolating the active ACTH(4-10) sequence and appending a Proline-Glycine-Proline (Pro-Gly-Pro) tail, they created a highly stable peptide capable of readily crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Laboratory studies demonstrate that Semax exerts profound neuroprotective and neurogenic effects. Research by Dolotov et al. showed that Semax administration leads to a massive, rapid increase in both BDNF and its corresponding TrkB receptors in the rat hippocampus.
In preclinical models of induced stroke, Semax has been consistently shown to halt the spread of necrotic tissue and preserve cognitive function post-ischemia. Because it stimulates mental acuity and protects neurons without causing cardiovascular stress, it remains a premier compound in advanced neuroscience research.
- 1.Dolotov, O.V. et al., "Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus," Brain Research, 2006.
- 2.Gusev, E.I. et al., "Semax in prevention of disease progress and development of exacerbations in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency," Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova, 1998.
- 3.Kost, N.V. et al., "Semax and selank inhibit the enkephalin-degrading enzymes from human serum," Peptides, 2001.
- 4.Bashkatova, V. et al., "Novel synthetic analogue of ACTH 4-10 (Semax) but not glycine prevents the enhanced nitric oxide generation in cerebral cortex of rats with incomplete global ischemia," Brain Research, 2001.
