Selank: Scientific Profile
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Selank (CAS 129954-34-3): synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin for research. GABAergic and serotonergic modulator; regulates BDNF, enkephalins, and IL-6/interferon.
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro; CAS 129954-34-3; molecular formula C33H57N11O9; molecular weight ~751.76 g/mol) classified as an analog of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), to which a Pro-Gly-Pro tail is added at the C-terminus to confer stability against enzymatic degradation. It is an anxiolytic/nootropic peptide registered in the Russian Federation for generalized anxiety disorders. In in vitro and preclinical research models, Selank modulates the GABAergic system and serotonergic/monoaminergic signaling, increases the expression of BDNF and enkephalins in limbic structures (hippocampus) and is involved in the modulation of the endogenous enkephalinase/opioid pathway, in addition to regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and interferon. These properties position it as a research reagent (RUO) in studies of experimental anxiety, chronic stress, neuroplasticity and immune modulation. It is distributed lyophilized for laboratory reconstitution with bacteriostatic water.
Mechanism of action
Selank acts via: 1) GABAergic modulation: it enhances inhibitory neurotransmission without binding directly to the GABA-A receptor. 2) Opioid system: it modulates endogenous opioid receptors involved in emotional regulation. 3) Immunomodulation (tuftsin analog): it modulates IL-6 —reducing it in a dose-dependent manner in proinflammatory contexts— and regulates the Th1/Th2 balance. 4) Neurotransmission: it stabilizes endogenous enkephalins, reducing their degradation. 5) Gene expression: it modulates 36+ genes related to anxiety and stress.
Mechanism summary
Selank modulates the GABAergic system and serotonergic/monoaminergic signaling, increases the expression of BDNF and enkephalins in limbic structures (hippocampus), intervenes in the enkephalinase/endogenous opioid pathway and regulates proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and interferon.
Clinical Studies (8)
- Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia (Seredenin SB, et al. · Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii im. S.S. Korsakova · 2008) — Estudio de efectos ansiolíticos de Selank sin sedación. PMID 18454096.
- Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity (Vyunova, et al. · Protein & Peptide Letters · 2018) PMID 30255741.
- Efficacy of peptide anxiolytic selank during modeling of withdrawal syndrome in rats with stable alcoholic motivation (Kolik, et al. · Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine · 2014) PMID 24913576.
- Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats (Kasian, et al. · Behavioural Neurology · 2017)
- [Optimization of the treatment of anxiety disorders with selank]. (Medvedev VE, et al. · Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova · 2015) PMID 26356395.
- [A comparison of the anxiolytic effect and tolerability of selank and phenazepam in the treatment of anxiety disorders]. (Medvedev VE, et al. · Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova · 2014) PMID 25176261.
- Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects. (Panikratova YR, et al. · Dokl Biol Sci · 2020) PMID 32342318.
- Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats. (Kolik LG, et al. · Bull Exp Biol Med · 2019) PMID 31625062.
Warnings
Selank is a compound exclusively for research use (RUO); the following warnings and handling considerations apply to its use in the laboratory:
- Can be used long-term without tolerance
- Models with known hypersensitivity to Selank or excipients
- Pregnant or lactating models (insufficient data)
- Models under 18 years old
- Models with severe uncontrolled psychiatric disorders
- Co-administration with benzodiazepines or other anxiolytics without supervision
- Models with uncontrolled epilepsy
Technical data
- CAS
- 129954-34-3
- Molecular formula
- C33H57N11O9
- Molecular weight
- 751.88 Da
- Compound type
- peptide
- Storage
- -20 °C liofilizado; 2-8 °C reconstituido
- Shelf life (lyophilized)
- 24 months
- Shelf life (reconstituted)
- 30 days refrigerated
- Light-sensitive
- Sí
Available for research
Selank is available as a research-use-only (RUO) reagent with HPLC-verified purity and a per-batch COA:
Frequently asked questions about Selank
What is Selank?
Selank (CAS 129954-34-3): synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin for research. GABAergic and serotonergic modulator; regulates BDNF, enkephalins, and IL-6/interferon.
What is the mechanism of action of Selank?
Selank modulates the GABAergic system and serotonergic/monoaminergic signaling, increases the expression of BDNF and enkephalins in limbic structures (hippocampus), intervenes in the enkephalinase/endogenous opioid pathway and regulates proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and interferon.
What is Selank investigated for?
In preclinical research, Selank is studied mainly in: GABAergic modulation; Serotonergic regulation; IL-6/interferon modulation. Material for scientific research use only.
What are the chemical properties of Selank?
Molecular formula C33H57N11O9; molecular weight 751.88 Da; CAS number 129954-34-3.
How is Selank stored?
Condiciones de conservación: -20 °C liofilizado; 2-8 °C reconstituido; estabilidad liofilizado: 24 meses; una vez reconstituido: 30 días refrigerado; protéjase de la luz.
What routes of administration are studied for Selank?
In the research models the following are described: Intranasal, Subcutaneous. Use is exclusively for scientific research.