Semax is a cognitive & neuro research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is HPLC-verified and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide nootropic-neuroprotective compound derived from the 4–7 residue sequence of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), extended by a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide. Its full sequence — Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro — represents the melanocortin-active core of ACTH (residues 4–10) without the steroidogenic or adrenocortical activity of the parent hormone, combined with the same stabilising Pro-Gly-Pro extension used in Selank. Semax was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (IMG), Russian Academy of Sciences, by Nikolai Myasoedov's group and is registered as a pharmaceutical in Russia and Ukraine for cognitive impairment, stroke recovery, and optic nerve disease — providing a rare translational pharmacological dataset for a peptide of this class.
The central mechanistic feature of Semax that distinguishes it from parent ACTH fragments is its potent upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor TrkB, and nerve growth factor (NGF), in hippocampal and cortical tissue. BDNF induction is documented in rodent models by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and protein ELISA at doses of 25–250 μg/kg. This neurotrophin-upregulating activity, combined with documented effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission in limbic regions, forms the mechanistic basis for Semax's cognitive-enhancing profile in radial maze, Morris water maze, and passive avoidance learning models. Notably, unlike parent ACTH or other full-length melanocortin peptides, Semax does not elevate corticosterone in rodent stress models at standard doses.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies research-grade Semax as lyophilized powder at ≥98% purity, verified by HPLC and confirmed by mass spectrometry. Certificates of Analysis per batch. Wholesale quantities on request. For laboratory research use only.
| Chemical Class | Synthetic ACTH(4-7) Analogue / Nootropic Heptapeptide |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 80714-61-0 |
| Molecular Formula | C₃₇H₅₁N₉O₁₀S |
| Molecular Weight | 813.94 Da |
| Sequence | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (7 amino acids) |
| Parent Sequence | ACTH(4-7) + Pro-Gly-Pro stabilising extension |
| Developed by | Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences |
| Synonyms | ACTH(4-7)PGP, N-prolylglycylproline fragment |
| Storage | -20°C lyophilized; 4°C reconstituted (up to 14 days) |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semax | 5 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $61.00 |
| Semax | 10 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $82.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS. Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Certificate of Analysis (COA) is included with every order. Documentation covers purity, molecular weight, and batch identification.
Semax's most characterised molecular effect is the induction of BDNF and NGF mRNA and protein in hippocampal, cortical, and striatal tissue. Studies in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats document BDNF mRNA increases of 1.4–2.0-fold in hippocampus at 25–100 μg/kg doses (i.p. or intranasal), with protein-level confirmation by ELISA. Behavioural correlates — improved performance in radial arm maze, Morris water maze, and passive avoidance paradigms — are studied alongside BDNF measurements to establish mechanistic linkage. TrkB receptor antagonist (ANA-12) pre-treatment experiments are used to confirm the BDNF-dependence of the cognitive effects.
Semax has been investigated as a neuroprotective agent in rodent cerebral ischaemia models, including transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and global forebrain ischaemia by bilateral carotid artery ligation. Histological endpoints (infarct volume by TTC staining, neuronal survival by NeuN immunohistochemistry) and neurological deficit scoring are used to characterise the neuroprotective window. The proposed mechanisms include anti-excitotoxic effects (reduction of glutamate receptor overactivation), preservation of mitochondrial function in peri-infarct tissue, and anti-inflammatory modulation of microglial activation. Clinical data from Russian stroke trials (Gusev et al.) report improved neurological recovery endpoints, though these studies use non-standard trial designs by current international standards.
Microdialysis studies in freely moving rats characterise Semax's effects on extracellular monoamine concentrations in the striatum and prefrontal cortex. Acute Semax administration is associated with increased dopamine turnover (elevated DOPAC/DA and HVA/DA ratios) and serotonin (5-HT) release in frontal cortical regions. These effects are studied in the context of the compound's attention-modulating and mood-stabilising activity in behavioural models, and in comparison with conventional stimulants (amphetamine, methylphenidate) to establish a non-stimulant mechanism. Receptor binding assays confirm no direct dopamine or serotonin receptor agonism — the neurotransmitter changes are indirect.
One registered clinical indication for Semax in Russia is optic nerve disease and glaucoma-associated visual field loss. Preclinical studies in rodent models of optic nerve crush injury (a model of traumatic and glaucomatous axonal injury) and retinal ischaemia characterise Semax's effects on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival, assessed by RBPMS immunolabelling and visual evoked potential (VEP) electrophysiology. NGF upregulation in the retina — demonstrated by Semax administration in these models — is proposed as the neuroprotective mechanism via TrkA receptor signalling on RGCs, which require NGF for survival during stress.
ACTH activates melanocortin receptors (MC1R–MC5R) and stimulates adrenal cortisol production via MC2R. Semax contains the melanocortin-active core sequence ACTH(4-7) but lacks the full receptor-binding domains required for potent MC2R activation. Studies measuring corticosterone in rodents after standard Semax doses report no significant HPA axis activation — distinguishing it from full-length ACTH and from melanocortin agonists like Melanotan-2. The neurological and cognitive effects of Semax are attributed to neurotrophic pathways rather than melanocortin receptor signalling.
Both are Russian-developed heptapeptides with Pro-Gly-Pro extensions and both modulate BDNF. Their primary pharmacological profiles differ: Semax is predominantly nootropic-neuroprotective, with strong BDNF/NGF induction and documented activity in ischaemia and memory models. Selank is predominantly anxiolytic-immunomodulatory, with GABAergic modulation, enkephalin stabilisation, and tuftsin-like immune activity. Researchers studying cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, or stroke use Semax; those studying anxiety, stress response, or immune modulation use Selank. The compounds can be studied in combination to characterise their independent mechanisms.
Published IMG studies primarily use intranasal (i.n.) administration at 25–250 μg/kg, consistent with the clinical nasal spray formulation. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection is also widely used in preclinical studies at similar dose ranges. Intravenous administration is used in acute ischaemia models where rapid CNS uptake is required. Intranasal delivery is favoured for chronic studies because it avoids injection stress and is more translatable to the clinical nasal route. For intranasal dosing in rats, volumes of 5–10 μL per nostril are used with purpose-designed microsyringe delivery.
Yes. Semax is available through PeptidesFromChina.co on a B2B wholesale basis. Purity ≥98% by HPLC, confirmed by ESI-MS. Certificates of Analysis per batch. Pricing and minimum order quantities are provided on request after account verification. Contact us via the Request page.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.