Semax vs Selank

Semax and Selank are short synthetic peptides, both registered as nose drops in Russia and not approved by the FDA or EMA. Semax is built from part of the hormone ACTH and Selank is built on tuftsin, and most studies of both are in animals. This page compares their results.

Best randomized result by outcome

For each outcome that two or more peptides have results for: the best result of a single randomized trial, on the same measure (the same kind of number, the same unit). When a trial has several dose arms, the cell shows the highest dose arm. The trials differ in people, length and dose, so a gap between two cells is not proof that one peptide works better.

No outcome has a randomized-trial result on the same measure for two or more of these peptides yet.

Comparing 2 peptides · Data version 308560

Only differences

Swipe sideways to see every peptide.

Comparison of Semax, Selank
Peptide	Synthetic analog Semax	Synthetic analog Selank
Identity
Kind	Synthetic analog	Synthetic analog
Area	Brain and mood	Brain and mood
Evidence
Amount of evidence	436	221
Evidence level	Has results from studies in people	Has results from studies in people
Safety
Safety results	3 (3 in people)	8 (7 in people)
Status
Approval
Sport (WADA)
Registered trials	None registered	None registered

Shared outcomes

Neuroprotection138
Receptor activity and mechanism103
Anxiety and mood77
Cognition and memory62
Adverse events10
Immune response33
Inflammation markers28
Gastrointestinal protection22
Liver fat and liver function17
Neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors17
Oxidative stress17
Exercise and physical function7

Approval and sport status

From the regulatory data of each peptide.

Semax
No FDA approval and no central EU authorisation (EMA).
Selank
No FDA approval and no central EU authorisation (EMA).

Amount of evidence by outcome

Outcome groups with study results for at least two of these peptides. Counts include only results from studies that gave the peptide. Bar length is the number of results, on one scale. The bars show how much was studied, not how large an effect was. A peptide with more studies can look stronger here without being stronger. For results, see the randomized results above.

Study results per shared outcome group and evidence class
Outcome group	Semax	Selank
NeuroprotectionNervous system and cognition	130149125	88
Receptor activity and mechanismPharmacology	5824331	4512816
Anxiety and moodNervous system and cognition	32131	45837
Cognition and memoryNervous system and cognition	31229	31130
Adverse eventsNervous system and cognition	33	761
Immune responseNervous system and cognition	20182	13193
Inflammation markersNervous system and cognition	211191	77
Gastrointestinal protectionGastrointestinal	18117	44
Liver fat and liver functionLiver	1212	55
Neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factorsNervous system and cognition	1515	22
Oxidative stressLiver	88	99
Exercise and physical functionNervous system and cognition	532	22

Sequence alignment

Each analog against its native parent, residue by residue. Substitutions, non-standard residues and modifications are marked. Calculated from the two sequences.

Against Corticotropin (ACTH)Semax

Semax differs from Corticotropin (ACTH) at 3 positions.

Top row: Corticotropin (ACTH) (parent)
Bottom row: Semax

MEHF

Same as parent
Substituted
Non-canonical or D-form
Modified side chain or end
Parent context

What is different

1Position 8: Arg is replaced by Pro.
2Position 9: Trp is replaced by Gly.
3Position 10: Gly is replaced by Pro.

Against TuftsinSelank

Selank differs from Tuftsin at 3 positions.

Top row: Tuftsin (parent)
Bottom row: Selank

TKPR

Same as parent
Substituted
Non-canonical or D-form
Modified side chain or end

What is different

1Position 5: Pro is added.
2Position 6: Gly is added.
3Position 7: Pro is added.

Trials side by side

Registered trials, ranked by phase (late phases first), then posted results and enrollment. Status is the registry status. Study results come from published studies. Results posted at ClinicalTrials.gov are shown on each trial page.