Selank
Human trialTP-7 · Selank acetate · Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
Highest available evidence among curated papers: Human trial (as of 2026-06-04).
Chemical & identity
- Sequence
- TKPRPGP
- Length
- 7 residues
- Molecular formula
- C33H57N11O9
- Molecular weight
- 751.9 g/mol · PubChem
- PubChem CID
- 11765600 · PubChem
- SMILES
- C[C@H]([C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCCN)C(=O)N1CCC[C@H]1C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCN=C(N)N)C(=O)N2CCC[C@H]2C(=O)NCC(=O)N3CCC[C@H]3C(=O)O)N)O
- InChIKey
- JTDTXGMXNXBGBZ-YVHUGQOKSA-N
- Category
- Nootropic/Neuropeptide
Chemical/structural fields are auto-pulled and source-linked.
Mechanism (curated)
Synthetic analog of the immunopeptide tuftsin; proposed to modulate GABAergic and serotonergic/monoaminergic neurotransmission and to inhibit enkephalin-degrading enzymes. Mechanism not fully established.
Pharmacology & handling
- Half-life
- Short — rapidly degraded by peptidases; typically given intranasally.
Research
Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity.
In-vitroVyunova TV et al. · Protein and peptide letters · 2018 · In-vitro study
This in-vitro study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying Selank's (a heptapeptide: Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) anxiolytic effects using radioligand-receptor analysis and brain cell membrane preparations. Selank was shown to act as a positive allosteric modulator of [³H]GABA binding. When combined with benzodiazepines (Diazepam) or Olanzapine, Selank produced non-cumulative effects and could block the modulatory activity of these drugs, suggesting overlapping but distinct binding sites. The authors conclude that Selank's anti-anxiety mechanism may involve subtype-selective, concentration-dependent allosteric modulation of GABA receptors.
Kolomin TA et al. · Zhurnal vysshei nervnoi deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova · 2013 · Animal study
This study examined the effect of Selank (a tuftsin analog; Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) on gene expression in rat hippocampus using cDNA microarray technology. A single intranasal dose of 200 µg/kg altered mRNA levels of 36 genes more than 2-fold, while course administration changed 20 genes. Most of the altered genes encoded proteins associated with the plasma membrane, including transmembrane proteins. The authors suggest that Selank may regulate ion homeostasis in hippocampal cells and thereby modulate ion-dependent processes including learning and memory formation.
Semenova TP et al. · Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia · 2010 · Animal study
This study examined the effect of selank (a synthetic derivative of tuftsin) on learning and memory in Wistar rats using a food-reward conditioning paradigm with 30 trials per day. A single injection of selank at 300 µg/kg increased serotonin metabolism in the hypothalamus and caudal brain stem for 30 min to 2 hours and enhanced memory trace stability over a 30-day retention period when administered during the consolidation phase. The findings suggest selank's nootropic activity may be related to its effects on serotonin and its metabolite levels in the brain.
Medvedev VE et al. · Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova · 2015 · Other
This study compared monotherapy with phenazepam alone (30 patients) to combined treatment with selank peptide plus phenazepam (40 patients) in patients with anxiety-phobic, hypochondriac, and somatoform disorders. The combined treatment group showed earlier positive effects on HDRS scores and reduced adverse effects of phenazepam, including improvements in attention, memory, sedation, and other side effects. Quality of life was improved in patients treated with selank as an add-on to phenazepam. The authors conclude that combining selank with benzodiazepine tranquilizers extends therapeutic options for anxiety-spectrum disorders.
Semenova TP et al. · Eksperimental'naia i klinicheskaia farmakologiia · 2009 · Animal study
This animal study compared selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) and tuftsin in Wistar rats pretreated with PCPA, a serotonin synthesis inhibitor. Selank enhanced serotonin metabolism in the brain stem 30 minutes after injection in PCPA-treated animals, whereas tuftsin did not change brain stem serotonin metabolism and decreased it in the neocortex. The authors suggest selank may be used to correct disturbances from reduced serotonin metabolism.
Sarkisova KIu, Kozlovskiĭ II, Kozlovskaia MM · Zhurnal vysshei nervnoi deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova · 2008 · Animal study
This animal study investigated selank, a synthetic heptapeptide derivative of tuftsin, in three rodent models: WAG/Rij rats (genetically-based depression symptoms), BALB/c mice (situation-provoked depression), and Wistar rats (control). In WAG/Rij rats, high-dose selank (1000–2000 µg/kg) reduced immobilization in the forced swimming test and decreased anhedonia after repeated injection. In BALB/c mice, low-dose selank (100–300 µg/kg) reduced immobility duration after single injection but showed no significant effect at higher doses or after repeated injection. Selank did not substantially affect locomotor activity, anxiety, or control Wistar rat behavior. The authors conclude that selank has an antidepressant component and that WAG/Rij rats represent a more reliable depression model than the forced swimming test alone.
Panikratova YR et al. · Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2020 · Other
This study examined the effects of Selank (an anxiolytic peptide) and Semax (a nootropic peptide) on resting-state brain functional connectivity in 52 healthy human participants. Functional MRI scans were performed before and after injection at 5 and 20 minutes, measuring connectivity from predefined regions of interest including the amygdala and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Between-group and between-condition differences were found in functional connectivity between the right amygdala and regions in the right temporal, fusiform, and parahippocampal cortices. Post hoc analysis revealed both general and specific effects of Selank and Semax on right amygdala-temporal cortex connectivity.
Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats.
Animal-onlyKonstantinopolsky MA, Chernyakova IV, Kolik LG · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2022 · Animal study
A single intraperitoneal injection of Selank at 0.3 mg/kg reduced the total morphine withdrawal syndrome index by 39.6% in naloxone-precipitated morphine-dependent rats, significantly attenuating convulsive reactions, ptosis, and posture disorders, and increased tactile sensitivity threshold 9-fold compared to control. Selank showed slightly less efficacy than diazepam 2 mg/kg, which reduced the withdrawal syndrome index by 49.3% and increased sensitivity threshold 13-fold. The study concludes that Selank, like diazepam, weakens aversive signs of morphine withdrawal in opiate-dependent rats.
Mukhina AY et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019 · Animal study
This animal study in Wistar male rats examined the effects of Selank on colon microbiota during chronic restraint stress. Selank was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 80, 250, and 750 μg/kg 15 minutes before stress exposure. Chronic restraint stress decreased obligate microflora and increased opportunistic microorganisms. Selank treatment restored intestinal microbiota composition, potentially through central neurotropic and peripheral immunotropic mechanisms.
The Influence of Selank on the Level of Cytokines Under the Conditions of "Social" Stress.
Animal-onlyLeonidovna YA et al. · Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology · 2021 · Animal study
This animal study examined the effect of selank, a glyprolin neuropeptide, on cytokine levels in rats exposed to social stress (confrontations between males). White rats were divided into three groups: intact controls, stressed animals (20 days of sensory contact through a cage septum with daily 10-minute confrontations), and stressed animals treated with selank 100 mcg/kg/day intraperitoneally. Stressed animals showed statistically significant increases in IL-1β, IL-6, and TGF-β1 compared to controls. Selank treatment reduced IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β1, and TNF-α levels to near-control values while restoring IL-4 levels. The authors conclude that selank has stress-protective activity by modulating the cytokine response to social stress.
Kolik LG et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2019 · Animal study
This animal study in outbred rats examined whether Selank, a peptide anxiolytic based on tuftsin, could counteract ethanol-induced memory impairment. Rats received 10% ethanol as their only fluid source for 30 weeks, then were treated with Selank (0.3 mg/kg/day for 7 days, intraperitoneally). In object recognition testing, Selank produced cognitive-stimulating effects in untreated 9-month-old rats and prevented memory and attention disturbances that developed during alcohol withdrawal. Ex vivo brain analysis showed Selank prevented ethanol-induced increases in BDNF content in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. The authors conclude Selank has positive effects on age-related memory disturbances associated with chronic alcohol intoxication and that BDNF regulation may underlie its mechanism.
Kasian A et al. · Behavioural neurology · 2017 · Animal study
This animal study in rats evaluated the anxiolytic effects of Selank (a peptide) alone and in combination with diazepam using the elevated plus maze test under normal conditions and unpredictable chronic mild stress. Individual Selank administration was most effective at reducing anxiety caused by a course of test substance administration. The combination of diazepam and Selank was most effective at reducing anxiety induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress. The authors suggest that Selank's mechanism of action may be similar to benzodiazepines and that Selank may modify the effects of classical benzodiazepine drugs.
Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission.
Animal-onlyVolkova A et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2016 · Animal study
This animal study examined gene expression changes in rat frontal cortex following Selank or GABA administration (300 μg/kg) using real-time PCR. Researchers analyzed 84 genes involved in neurotransmission and found that 45 genes showed significant expression changes 1 hour after administration, with 22 genes altered at 3 hours. Positive correlation was observed between Selank- and GABA-induced expression changes within 1 hour. The authors conclude that Selank produces complex effects on nerve cells with a possible molecular mechanism involving allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system.
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Regulatory status
- FDA approved
- No
- WADA prohibited
- No
- Compounding status
- Not approved in the US; registered and used clinically in Russia.
- Notes
- Not FDA-approved. Registered/used clinically in Russia for anxiety disorders, as of 2026-06-04. Not listed on the WADA prohibited list.
Legal/regulatory status varies by jurisdiction and changes over time — accurate as of last review (2026-06-04).
Data sources: Curated IDs (PubChem/UniProt/ChEMBL) + Europe PMC + ClinicalTrials.gov (2026-06-04).
Last reviewed 2026-06-04