Semax
Nootropic peptide
Research overview
An ACTH-derived peptide studied for its role in neuroplasticity and BDNF expression.
Descriptions reference published research areas for laboratory context only and are not claims of efficacy, safety, or intended use in humans or animals.
- Price
- $125 CAD
- Purity
- ≥99.1% (HPLC)
- Presentation
- 10 mg lyophilized vial
Order / inquire about Semax
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For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use
Semax is a chemical reference material sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or natural health product; it has not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada; and it must never be ingested, injected, or applied to humans or animals. Sold in Canada only, to purchasers 18+. See our Research Use Policy.
Research encyclopedia
Everything the literature has studied.
For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use. The content below summarizes published research context only. It is not medical advice, makes no therapeutic claims, and describes no intended use in humans or animals. These materials have not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada.
What it is
Semax is a synthetic neuroprotective and nootropic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro), an analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment extended with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro motif and lacking classic corticotropic activity. It is registered in Russia for stroke recovery and cognitive disorders and studied as a reference nootropic/neuroprotective compound.
Mechanism of action
Does not activate the adrenal MC2R receptor (does not stimulate corticosteroid release) but retains affinity for melanocortin MC3R/MC4R in the CNS. Upregulates the neurotrophins BDNF and NGF (reported 1.5–3×), with antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects and reduction of glutamate excitotoxicity; modulates monoaminergic (dopaminergic/serotonergic) systems.
Research areas
- Post-stroke recovery / neuroprotection
- Cognitive impairment, attention, and memory
- Anxiety and stress states
- Optic neuropathy (research)
Studied effects in research models
- Upregulation of neurotrophins (BDNF, NGF, GDNF) in preclinical studies
- Reduction of glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress
- Neurofunctional improvement in Russian acute-ischemic-stroke trials
- No classic corticotropic (HPA-activating) effect despite ACTH origin
Effects listed describe observations reported in laboratory or animal research models only — not outcomes claimed for humans or animals.
Biomarkers tracked in related research
Discovery & background
Developed from the 1980s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (work associated with Ashmarin and Myasoedov). The ACTH(4-10) core was stabilized with Pro-Gly-Pro to resist enzymatic degradation, producing a neuroactive peptide devoid of adrenal-stimulating (corticotropic) activity, later used in Russia for ischemic stroke and cognitive conditions.
Considerations & limitations
Research-use-only reference material; not approved by Health Canada, the FDA, or the EMA (registered only in Russia). Although derived from ACTH, it lacks classic corticotropic activity—but monitoring cortisol/ACTH is still prudent to confirm this in research. Evidence is mainly Russian with variable methodological quality and scarce independent Western replication; long-term effects are little studied. Caution in pregnancy/lactation (no data), epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders.
References
- [1]Gusev et al., 2005 (Semax in acute ischemic stroke) — Cerebrovasc Dis; 19:325-333; PMID: 15775711
- [2]Dolotov et al., 2006 (Semax and BDNF) — J Histochem Cytochem; 54:1055-1066; PMID: 16741265
- [3]Medvedeva et al., 2014 (Semax transcriptome, ischemia) — J Mol Neurosci; 52:387-395; PMID: 24338057