What Is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin. It is studied in preclinical neuro research and is not an FDA-approved drug.
The short answer
Selank is a stabilized analog of tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunopeptide, developed in Russia. In the research literature it is studied for anxiolytic-associated and immunomodulatory signaling, and it is most often discussed as the counterpart to Semax.
Composition and specifications
| Compound | Selank |
|---|---|
| Class | Tuftsin-analog heptapeptide |
| Also known as | Tuftsin analog |
| Sequence / length | Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (7 amino acids) |
| CAS number | 129954-34-3 |
| Molecular weight | 751.9 g/mol |
| Purity (typical) | ≥99.0% |
| Appearance | White lyophilized powder; water-soluble |
Values above reflect the compound's published specification. As with any research material, the definitive confirmation of identity and purity for a given lot is the mass-spectrometry and HPLC data on its Certificate of Analysis.
How it is described mechanistically
Selank is characterized in research as influencing GABAergic and monoaminergic signaling and as having immunomodulatory activity inherited from its tuftsin origin. It is studied as an anxiolytic-associated peptide in laboratory models, again without the steroidal activity of hormone-derived peptides.
What has research examined?
Published Selank work is largely preclinical, with a Russian clinical literature. Areas examined include:
- Anxiolytic-associated behavioral research models
- GABAergic and neurotransmitter signaling
- Immunomodulatory activity (from its tuftsin origin)
- Comparisons with Semax
These describe research directions rather than established human effects in the broader literature.
How is it characterized and tested?
Two questions matter most about any peptide sample in a research context: is it the right molecule, and how pure is it. Those are answered by analytical testing — commonly mass spectrometry for identity and HPLC for purity — with both reported on a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA). An independent, published COA lets a researcher confirm identity and purity before beginning work. See peptide handling and storage for how samples are kept stable once received.
Primary literature: browse peer-reviewed studies on Selank at PubMed.
Common questions
What is the difference between Selank and Semax?
They come from different parent molecules — Selank from tuftsin, Semax from ACTH(4-10) — and are studied for different signaling emphases (Selank more for anxiolytic-associated activity, Semax more for neurotrophic/cognition-associated activity).
Is Selank approved for human use?
Selank is not FDA-approved. It has clinical history in Russia, but research-grade material is supplied for laboratory research use only.
Is Selank an immune peptide or a neuro peptide?
Both descriptions appear in the literature — it is an analog of the immunopeptide tuftsin and is also studied for neuro-associated signaling.