SELANK

Selank description

Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immunomodulatory peptide Tuftsin, and a heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, chemical formula C₃₃H₅₇N₁₁O₉ and molar mass 751.887 g·mol−1. Tuftsin is a tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) located in the Fc-domain of the heavy chain of immunoglobulin G (residues 289-292). Tuftsin has an immunostimulatory effect. Both, Tuftsin and Selank have the ability to reduce anxiety and increase serotonin levels.

Selank belongs to the group of anxiolytics and nootropics, significantly suppresses anxiety, depression, has antidepressant effects and may be useful in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), but also has shown an improvement in cognitive function, learning ability and memory. Selank has an advantage over traditional anxiety treatments, such as benzodiazepines, as it has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and no associated addiction or withdrawal problems.

What are Nootropics and anxiolytics

Nootropics are smart drugs and cognitive enhancers, supplements, that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals. An anxiolytic is a medication, that inhibits anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents, which increase anxiety. Some recreational drugs such as alcohol induce anxiolysis initially; however, studies show that then many of these drugs are anxiogenic. Anxiolytic medications have been used for the treatment of anxiety disorder and its related psychological and physical symptoms. Light therapy and other interventions have also been found to have an anxiolytic effect.

Selank Pharmacology

Selank mimics many of the effects of tuftsin that can be used in pharmacology to suppress the side effects of stress and anxiety, improve cognitive functions and brain functions, or strengthen the immune system. For example Selank induces metabolism of serotonin, influences the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters or modulates the expression of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and affect the balance of T helper cell cytokines. While most prescription drugs cause many undesirable side effects, previous clinical trials and Selank research have concluded that this peptide has no negative side effects or a risk of addiction.

Selank induces metabolism of Serotonin

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a monoamine neurotransmitter. It has a popular image as a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness, though its actual biological function is complex and multifaceted, modulating cognition, reward, learning, memory, and numerous physiological processes such as vomiting and vasoconstriction.

Selank influences concentration of neurotransmitters

Monoamine neurotransmitters are neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. For example, classical monoamines include: Histamine, Adrenaline, Dopamine, Noradrenaline, Norepinephrine, Serotonin and Melatonin. Monoaminergic systems, i.e. the networks of neurons that use monoamine neurotransmitters, are involved in the regulation of processes such as emotion, arousal, and certain types of memory. It has also been found that monoamine neurotransmitters play an important role in the secretion and production of neurotrophin-3 by astrocytes, a chemical which maintains neuron integrity and provides neurons with trophic support.

Selank modulates expression of Interleukin-6

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine. IL-6’s role as an anti-inflammatory myokine is mediated through its inhibitory effects on TNF-alpha and IL-1, and activation of IL-1ra and IL-10. There is some early evidence that IL-6 can be used as an inflammatory marker for severe COVID-19 infection with poor prognosis, in the context of the wider coronavirus pandemic.

Selank inhibits Enkephalin hydrolysis

Selank, as well as a related peptide drug, Semax, have been found to inhibit enzymes involved in the degradation of Enkephalins (it inhibits Enkephalin hydrolysis) and other endogenous regulatory peptides, and this action may be involved in their effects:

An Enkephalin is a opioid neuro-pentapeptide involved in regulating nociception in the body. The Enkephalins are termed endogenous ligands, as they are internally derived and bind to the body’s opioid receptors. Nociception is the sensory nervous system’s response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli. In nociception, intense chemical (e.g., cayenne powder), mechanical (e.g., cutting, crushing), or thermal (heat and cold) stimulation of sensory nerve cells called nociceptors produces a signal that travels along a chain of nerve fibers via the spinal cord to the brain. Nociception triggers a variety of physiological and behavioral responses and usually results in a subjective experience, or perception, of pain in sentient beings.

Enkephalin has also effects on stress and is also considered a neuropeptide, which in the human body performs as an important signaling molecule in the brain. Enkephalins are found in high concentration in the brain as well as in the cells of adrenal medulla. In response to pain, norepinephrine, a hormone that is activated in fight-or-flight response is released, along with opioid neuropeptides and endorphins. It has been shown that Enkephalin is linked to brain functioning during a stressful response, especially in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex regions. During a stress response, several Met-enkephalin analogs had increased activity in the hippocampus, while Leu-enkephalin analogs as well as somatostatins were downregulated during stress. This observation leads to a conclusion that stressors impact neuropeptides, and that their action is localized to a specific brain region.

Clinical trials, research and Selank results

In clinical trials, Selank has shown to provide a sustained nootropic and anxiolytic effect which is useful for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Both Selank and Tuftsin reduces anxiety and increased serotonin levels in rats, with Selank being slightly more effective. Selank also rapidly increased brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus of rats: BDNF acts on certain neurons of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, helping to support survival of existing neurons, and encouraging growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. BDNF itself is important for long-term memory. 

Selank has also been found to affect the activity of carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride-inhibited carboxypeptidase in rat nervous system tissue. Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), also known as carboxypeptidase H (CPH) and enkephalin convertase, is an enzyme that is involved in the biosynthesis of most neuropeptides and peptide hormones.

Selank History

Selank was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (Russian Academy of Sciences) in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences), along with another nootropic drug Semax. Selank has been approved in Russia for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and for its use as a nootropic.

The effects of Selank, what Selank does

• • Inhibits enzymes involved in the degradation of Enkephalins and other endogenous regulatory peptides
  • Induces metabolism of serotonin and increases concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters
  • Affect the activity of carboxypeptidase E (CPE)
  • Rapidly increased brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression
  • Modulates the expression of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and affect the balance of T helper cell cytokines
  • Stimulates the release of interferons (anti-viral molecules)

Scientifically investigated possible benefits of Selank

• • Significantly reduces levels of emotional tension, anxiety, fear and depression, has a calming effect and neutralizes the effects of stress
  • Research to date confirms that Selank does not cause addiction and does not have the adverse effects of traditional sedatives (which can usually cause lethargy, drowsiness, impaired concentration, memory and motor coordination)
  • Improves memory (memorizing, processing / structuring information, playing back memories)
  • Improves concentration and attention, reduces mental fatigue
  • May improve learning ability
  • May optimize higher cortical brain functions (speech, thinking, coordination of movements)
  • Helps keep the body in good mental condition and well-being
  • May help strengthen the immune system
  • May help with alcohol withdrawal

Selank possible side-effects

Scientific studies and clinical trials to date have not shown any significant side, undesirable or toxic effects when investigating the Selank peptide. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that further future research may reveal risk factors that are currently unknown.

Selank FAQ

What is Selank?

Heptapeptide Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immunomodulatory peptide Tuftsin, and belongs to the group of anxiolytics and nootropics.

What are Nootropics?

Nootropics are smart drugs and cognitive enhancers, supplements, that may improve cognitive function, particularly executive functions, memory, creativity, or motivation, in healthy individuals.

What are Anxiolytics?

An anxiolytic is a medication, that inhibits anxiety. Anxiolytic medications have been used for the treatment of anxiety disorder and its related psychological and physical symptoms.

What does Selank do?

Selank inhibits degradation of Enkephalins, induces metabolism of serotonin and monoamine neurotransmitters, affect the activity of carboxypeptidase E (CPE), increased brain neurotrophic factor, modulates the expression of Interleukin-6, and mimics other effects of natural immunomodulatory peptide Tuftsin.

What is Selank used for?

Selank significantly suppresses anxiety, depression, has antidepressant effects and may be useful mainly in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and to eliminate the effects of stress and depression.

What are the beneficial effects of the Selank?

Selank reduces levels of emotional tension, anxiety, fear and depression, has a calming effect and neutralizes the effects of stress; improves memory, concentration and attention; reduces mental fatigue; can improve learning ability and optimize higher cortical brain functions; helps keep the body in good mental condition and well-being and may help strengthen the immune system.

Are there possible side effects / risks associated with Selank?

So far, clinical trials have not shown any significant side, undesirable or toxic effects of Selank peptide.

Can Selank improve learning ability and memory?

Yes, Selank has the ability to improve learning and memory.

Can Selank cause adverse effects of traditional sedatives?

Research to date confirms that Selank does not cause addiction and does not have the adverse effects of traditional sedatives (which can usually cause lethargy, drowsiness, impaired concentration, memory and motor coordination)

What does Neurotransmitters do?

Monoaminergic systems, i.e. the networks of neurons that use monoamine neurotransmitters, are involved in the regulation of processes such as emotion, arousal, and certain types of memory.

Where was Selank discovered?

Selank was developed in Russia; at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in cooperation with the V.V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology.

Is Selank approved for clinical use?

Yes, in Russia: Selank has been approved in Russia for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and for its use as a nootropic. But, to date, the FDA has not approved this drug for any specific medical or other use.

Selank dosage

In the scientific studies and clinical trials performed, the optimal dose in healthy people is 200-300 mcg of Selank 2-3 per day.

Overview

Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immunomodulatory peptide Tuftsin. Selank belongs to the group of anxiolytics and nootropics, significantly suppresses anxiety, depression, has antidepressant effects. It has an advantage over traditional anxiety treatments, but has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and no associated addiction or withdrawal problems. Selank mimics many of the effects of tuftsin that can be used in pharmacology to suppress the side effects of stress and anxiety, improve cognitive functions and brain functions, or strengthen the immune system. In clinical trials, Selank has shown to provide a sustained nootropic and anxiolytic effect which is useful for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Scientifically investigated possible benefits of Selank are mainly its ability to reduces levels of emotional tension, anxiety, fear and depression, neutralize the effects of stress, improve memory, concentration and attention, and optimize higher cortical brain functions. Selank was discovered in Russia, where it was approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and its use as a nootropic.