What is selank?
Selank, whose structure incorporates a short segment (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) derived from the heavy chain of human immunoglobulin G, has been extended at the C terminus by adding three natural L-amino acids (Pro-Gly-Pro). This modification enhances its metabolic stability and prolongs the drug's duration of action. Selank demonstrates notable anxiolytic properties and exhibits prolonged neuropsychotropic, antidepressant, and antistress effects, while also mitigating aggression and fear responses.
What is selank used for?
Selank is a versatile compound effective for treating anxiety, enhancing cognitive abilities, and managing stress. It aids in treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder, reducing daily stress, improving memory and learning, and enhancing focus and concentration. Selank also helps balance mood fluctuations, making it useful for mental health and well-being. It can serve as a complementary treatment for depression and metabolic syndrome, and its immunomodulatory effects can regulate immune responses. Additionally, Selank can reduce mental fatigue and enhance mental endurance.
selank for anxiety
Selank, a synthetic heptapeptide, is employed clinically as a potent nootropic and anxiolytic agent. Preclinical research has demonstrated that selank, when administered individually, exhibits a remarkable ability to significantly reduce elevated levels of anxiety. This efficacy becomes even more pronounced when selank is combined with diazepam, particularly in scenarios involving unpredictable chronic mild stress conditions, where the synergistic effect of this combination proves to be exceptionally effective[1]. Clinical trials indicate selank has therapeutic effects comparable to medazepam, making it a potential alternative for treating generalized anxiety disorder symptoms[2].
These findings highlight the potential of selank as a groundbreaking treatment option in the field of mental health, offering a promising and innovative approach to managing anxiety-related conditions.
Selank peptide benefits
1. Reduce stress and anxiety
Selank has powerful anti-anxiety properties that are effective in reducing an individual's nervousness, allowing them to experience a heightened feeling of relaxation throughout the day. In addition, selank has been reported to help reduce social anxiety, and users will feel more comfortable in social interactions and reduce overall discomfort.
2. Enhances cognitive function and memory
As an effective nootropic active substance, selank enhances concentration, improves the brain's ability to remember information, and promotes the brain to learn new concepts more easily. In addition, it is able to support brain health by cultivating neural connections and promoting synaptic plasticity, which is essential for cognitive vitality and adaptability.
3. Improves mood
Selank is effective in improving mood and relieving depressive symptoms by regulating dopamine and serotonin levels, without the typical side effects of many antidepressants. This advantage makes it a safer and more viable option for long-term use. Studies have shown that when selank is included in a user's treatment regimen, users feel more optimistic, less anxious, and better able to cope with daily stress.
4. Enhance immune function
Since selank is a synthetic analogue of the immune-boosting peptide Tuftsin, it is able to increase IL-6 cytokines and stimulate interferon secretion, effectively fighting viral and microbial infections. In addition, selank is suitable for people with weakened immune systems (such as those who are undergoing chemotherapy or recovering from illness), and it helps to strengthen the body's natural defenses by boosting the production of cytokines and interferon.
What does selank do?
Selank exerts significant impacts on cognition and is thought to operate via the GABAergic system. In preclinical studies, the administration of selank has demonstrated the ability to modify the gene expression of GABA receptors, thereby enhancing their affinity for GABA. This augmentation facilitates GABA's capacity to inhibit excitability within the central nervous system, akin to the effects of benzodiazepine administration[3].Selank seems to offer protection against alcohol-induced memory loss, which occurs when brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels rise in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. In an experiment where rats were provided with alcohol as their sole beverage for 30 weeks, those co-administered with Selank exhibited superior performance on object recognition tasks, did not display the same memory and attention impairments, and did not experience elevated BDNF levels compared to the untreated control group[4].
Selank half life
The pharmacokinetics of selank, a compound with psychotropic activity, was investigated in rats through both in vitro and in vivo experiments using high-performance liquid chromatography. Selank was detected in its native form in rat blood plasma for a duration of 7-10 minutes, with its half-life (T1/2) surpassing that of other oligopeptides with similar structures. The structure of the primary pharmacologically active heptapeptide metabolite was elucidated via high-performance liquid chromatography, revealing it to be the tetrapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg. This heptapeptide was predominantly distributed in well-vascularized organs of the rats, with the highest concentrations observed in the liver, followed by the kidneys and heart[5].
Selank mechanism of action
Selank enhances serotonin, a neurotransmitter influencing mood, sleep, appetite, and cognition. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression and anxiety, and Selank may elevate mood by increasing serotonin. Additionally, Selank appears to promote dopamine release, crucial for concentration, attention, learning, and experiencing pleasure or reward. This rise in dopamine levels may contribute to Selank's nootropic effects. Elevated cortisol, a hormone critical in stress responses, can lead to anxiety, fatigue, reduced mood, and cognitive deficits. Selank may help maintain optimal cortisol levels, thereby reducing anxiety and enhancing stress resilience.
Furthermore, Selank boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein vital for nerve growth, brain plasticity, long-term memory, and cognitive function. It is also thought to balance immune responses, potentially stimulating the immune system in specific scenarios. These effects are linked to tuftsin, a component integral to immunity, although further research is needed to fully comprehend this aspect. The multifaceted mechanisms of selank make it a highly versatile compound. The synergy of its impacts on neurotransmitters, hormones, immune function, and nerve growth underscores its nootropic, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties. Nonetheless, additional clinical trials are essential to validate some of these mechanisms.
Selank drug interactions
Selank does not affect the efficacy of drugs that either depress or stimulate the central nervous system, such as haloperidol, pentobarbital, hexobarbital, and analeptics. It can be safely integrated with any psychoactive or neuroactive therapies. Additionally, selank is deemed safe for concurrent use with ethanol-containing products. However, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or supplement, especially if you are already taking other drugs or have any pre-existing medical conditions.
Semax vs selank
Semax is a seven-amino acid peptide, or heptapeptide, consisting of a four-amino acid segment (Met-Glu-His-Phe) and a Pro-Gly-Pro segment at the C-terminus. The Met-Glu-His-Phe segment is shared by all melanocortin hormones, including ACTH. The Pro-Gly-Pro addition enhances Semax's stability and enables it to cross the blood-brain barrier, accessing the central nervous system. Semax interacts with neurotrophic factors that promote neuron growth, survival, and maintenance. It has been studied for its effects on memory, neuroprotection, and cognitive functions, and is known to modulate various brain neurotransmitters. Selank is a synthetic tetrapeptide similar to tuftsin, a naturally occurring immune-regulating peptide. It has been primarily researched for its potential to improve mood and reduce stress. Studies indicate that Selank has anxiolytic properties and may offer neuroprotective benefits. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory effects and is thought to influence neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
The chemical structures of the two peptides result in distinct mechanisms of action and potential effects. Although both semax and selank have been studied for their potential to enhance cognition and mood, their primary effects often diverge. Semax is primarily investigated for its neuroprotective properties, cognitive enhancement, and potential benefits for memory and learning. Conversely, selank has more research highlighting its anti-anxiety effects, stress-relief capabilities, and promising impact on mood management. Both peptides are believed to interact with various brain neurotransmitters, yet they differ in their regulatory effects. While selank is known to influence the serotonergic system, Semax is noted for its significant ability to modulate neurotransmitters.
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FAQ
Is selank fda approved
The FDA has not approved its use for any conditions. However, in Russia, it has been approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and for its use as a nootropic. It is also under investigation for potential therapeutic applications in other conditions, such as depression, stress-related disorders, and cognitive impairment. It's important to note that the approval status and indications for use may differ between countries, and healthcare professionals should be consulted for specific guidance on its use.
References
- Kasian A., et al., Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats.Behav Neurol. 2017:5091027.
- Zozulia A.A., et al., Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia.Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008;108(4):38-48.
- Volkova A., et al., Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016,18:7:31.
- Kolik L.G., et al., 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.
- Boiko S.S., et al., The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of heptapeptide--a prospective synthetic analog of tuftsin with psychostimulating action in rats. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1998,61(5):42-45.
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