Peptides Academy
Semax
Research-Grade
Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic analog of the adrenocorticotropin fragment ACTH(4-10). Its Russian developers reported in 1997 that it had moved from basic research into clinical use, that in animals and humans it improved memory and attention for 20-24 hours after intranasal doses of 0.015-0.050 mg/kg, and that it improved memory and attention in healthy men working under extreme conditions. Most clinical data concern cerebrovascular disease and were published in Russian. In acute hemispheric ischemic stroke, 30 patients given Semax alongside intensive care were compared with 80 conventionally treated controls; the authors reported somewhat faster recovery of neurological, especially motor, deficits, with daily doses of 12-18 mg for 5-10 days. In 110 patients in post-stroke rehabilitation, two 10-day courses of 6,000 mcg/day raised plasma BDNF and were associated with better Barthel index recovery. A study of 187 patients with chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency reported clinical improvement and good tolerability. None of these were placebo-controlled randomized trials, and they have not been replicated outside Russia. In rats, a single dose of Semax raised hippocampal BDNF protein and trkB activation and changed NGF and BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus, frontal cortex and retina. Semax also increased striatal serotonin turnover and enhanced amphetamine-induced dopamine release in rodents, and inhibited enkephalin-degrading enzymes in human serum. Semax is not an FDA-approved drug; in the US it is a research-only compound.
Specifications
| Origin / Manufacturer | Synthetic |
| Form Factor | Intranasal spray / lyophilized powder |
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
Every clinical claim on this page traces to a primary peer-reviewed source.
- 1Asmarin IP, Nezavibat'ko VN, Miasoedov NF, et al.. [A nootropic adrenocorticotropin analog 4-10-semax (l5 years experience in its design and study)]. Zhurnal vysshei nervnoi deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova. 1997;47(2):420-30. PMID:9173745
- 2Gusev EI, Skvortsova VI, Miasoedov NF, et al.. [Effectiveness of semax in acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke (a clinical and electrophysiological study)]. Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova. 1997;97(6):26-34. PMID:11517472
- 3Kost NV, Sokolov OIu, Gabaeva MV, et al.. [Semax and selank inhibit the enkephalin-degrading enzymes from human serum]]. Bioorganicheskaia khimiia. 2001;27(3):180-3. doi:10.1023/a:1011373002885 PMID:11443939
- 4Gusev EI, Skvortsova VI, Chukanova EI. [Semax in prevention of disease progress and development of exacerbations in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency]. Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova. 2005;105(2):35-40. PMID:15792140
- 5Eremin KO, Kudrin VS, Saransaari P, et al.. Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue with nootropic properties, activates dopaminergic and serotoninergic brain systems in rodents. Neurochemical research. 2005;30(12):1493-500. doi:10.1007/s11064-005-8826-8 PMID:16362768
- 6Dolotov OV, Karpenko EA, Inozemtseva LS, et al.. Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain research. 2006;1117(1):54-60. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2006.07.108 PMID:16996037
- 7Shadrina M, Kolomin T, Agapova T, et al.. Comparison of the temporary dynamics of NGF and BDNF gene expression in rat hippocampus, frontal cortex, and retina under Semax action. Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN. 2010;41(1):30-5. doi:10.1007/s12031-009-9270-z PMID:19662538
- 8Gusev EI, Martynov MY, Kostenko EV, et al.. [The efficacy of semax in the tretament of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke]. Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova. 2018;118(3. Vyp. 2):61-68. doi:10.17116/jnevro20181183261-68 PMID:29798983
- 9U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks. FDA Human Drug Compounding. 2026.
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Pharmacology & Endocrinology Review
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