Semax 11 mg

Semax — 11 mg

Purity: ≥98% (HPLC)
Form: lyophilized powder, 3 ml vial
Storage: −20 °C (before opening), +2…+8 °C (after reconstitution, no more than 28 days)
Verification: Janoshik Analytical (Czech Republic) — independent blind test of every batch
Synonyms: Семакс, Semax, ACTH(4-10)-Pro-Gly-Pro

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Contents

1. What is Semax?
2. Why Semax attracts researchers' attention
3. Peptide structure
4. BDNF — "fertilizer for the brain," in simple terms
5. Semax and neurotransmitter systems
6. Clinical status in Russia
7. What is important to understand about the evidence base
8. Semax in the context of the LONGIVIYA catalog
9. Sources

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1. What is Semax?

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in the 1980s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences by the group of Nikolai Myasoedov and Isaak Ashmarin. It is one of the few peptides created entirely by Russian science — from idea to clinical application.

The molecule is a fragment of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) — positions 4–10 — to which a C-terminal stabilizing fragment Pro-Gly-Pro has been added. This ACTH fragment is responsible for the hormone's neurotropic properties but is devoid of its endocrine effects: Semax does not affect cortisol and does not stimulate the adrenal glands.

Since 2011, Semax has been included in the List of Vital and Essential Medicinal Products of the Russian Federation. It is prescribed for recovery after ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and diseases of the optic nerve.

For research use only. Not a medicinal product. Not intended for use in humans or animals.

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2. Why Semax attracts researchers' attention

Semax occupies an unusual position: a peptide with real clinical status in one country and virtually zero recognition in Western pharmacology. Reasons for the interest:

• BDNF — the key mechanism. In animal experiments, Semax increases the expression of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) — a protein that is called "fertilizer for neurons." Dolotov and co-authors (2006) described an increase in BDNF mRNA expression of approximately 3-fold and BDNF protein of approximately 1.4-fold in the rat hippocampus [2].

• Clinical status in Russia. Unlike most research peptides, Semax is a registered medicinal product included in the List of Vital and Essential Medicinal Products of the Russian Federation. It is used for stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and cognitive impairment [5].

• No hormonal effects. Despite its origin from ACTH, Semax neither suppresses nor stimulates cortisol production. The ACTH 4–10 fragment is responsible for neurotropic activity, not for endocrine function [1].

• Multiple neurotransmitter targets. An influence on the serotonergic, dopaminergic, and cholinergic systems simultaneously has been described [3] — which is unusual for such a short peptide.

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3. Peptide structure

Parameter	Value
Amino acid sequence	Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
Number of amino acids	7
Molecular weight	~813 g/mol
CAS number	80714-61-0
Origin	Analog of the ACTH fragment (positions 4–10)
C-terminal fragment	Pro-Gly-Pro (stabilizing)
Type	Synthetic neuropeptide
Developer	Institute of Molecular Genetics, RAS

The addition of Pro-Gly-Pro to the C-terminus solved a key problem of the native ACTH(4–10) fragment: rapid degradation by enzymes. The native fragment degraded within minutes. Semax is stable and retains activity long enough for clinical application.

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4. BDNF — "fertilizer for the brain," in simple terms

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is one of the most important proteins of the nervous system. Its functions:

• Neuron survival. BDNF protects existing nerve cells from death. Without BDNF, neurons do not receive the signal "you are needed" and initiate a self-destruction program (apoptosis).

• Growth of new connections. BDNF stimulates synaptogenesis — the formation of new synaptic contacts between neurons. This is the physical basis of learning and memory: every new skill is new synapses.

• Neuroplasticity. The brain's ability to adapt, reorganize, and learn. BDNF is one of the main molecular "enablers" of this process.

BDNF levels naturally rise with physical exercise, learning, and social interaction. They decrease with chronic stress, depression, and with age.

In the experiments of Dolotov and co-authors, Semax increased the expression of BDNF and its receptor TrkB in the hippocampus and cortex of the rat brain [2]. The hippocampus is a structure critically important for memory consolidation.

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5. Semax and neurotransmitter systems

In addition to BDNF, studies have described an influence of Semax on three key neurotransmitter systems [1][3]:

Dopaminergic system. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter of motivation, attention, and reward. In the experiments of Agapova and co-authors (2007), a modulating influence of Semax on dopamine metabolism in structures of the rat brain was described [3].

Serotonergic system. Serotonin is involved in the regulation of mood, anxiety, and impulsivity. An influence of Semax on serotonin metabolism has been described, which may explain the anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) component of its action noted in studies [3].

Cholinergic system. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is key to the processes of attention and memory. Modulation of the cholinergic system is one of the main mechanisms of action of classical nootropics.

An important detail: Semax does not "stimulate" these systems in one direction (as, for example, amphetamine stimulates dopamine). It modulates — leading to more balanced functioning. This explains why in clinical practice Semax is described as an agent without the characteristic "stimulant" side effects [1].

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6. Clinical status in Russia

Semax is one of the few peptides in the world with full clinical status:

Parameter	Value
Status in Russia	Included in the List of Vital and Essential Medicinal Products since 2011
Form (pharmaceutical)	Nasal drops 0.1%
Indications	Ischemic stroke, TIA, cognitive impairment, diseases of the optic nerve
Status in the USA (FDA)	Not approved, not submitted
Status in the EU (EMA)	Not approved

The clinical base of Semax includes studies on recovery after stroke (Gusev and co-authors, 2005), in which improvement of neurological outcomes and reduction of infarct volume with early administration were described [4].

It is important to understand the context: Semax underwent clinical studies according to the standards of the Russian regulatory system but did not undergo large randomized controlled trials according to FDA or EMA standards. A significant part of the clinical publications are in Russian and in Russian journals. This does not make the data unreliable, but it limits their international reproducibility.

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7. What is important to understand about the evidence base

Semax is in an unusual situation that is worth describing honestly:

Strengths: real clinical status, decades of use, a well-documented mechanism through BDNF, pharmacology studied at the molecular level.

Limitations: the absence of large Phase 3 studies by Western standards, most of the literature in Russian, the absence of independent international replication of key clinical data.

For the Russian audience, Semax is a familiar and trusted drug. For the international audience, it is an interesting but validation-requiring peptide. Both assessments are valid at the same time.

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8. Semax in the context of the LONGIVIYA catalog

Semax is included in two catalog boxes:

• Box 05 "Brain + Cellular Longevity" — together with SS-31 and Epithalon. The logic: cognitive clarity (Semax) + mitochondrial restoration of the brain (SS-31) + cellular longevity (Epithalon).

• Box 06 "Strength and Energy" — together with MOTS-C, SS-31, CJC+Ipamorelin, and Thymosin Alpha-1. Here Semax is responsible for the cognitive component: "energy" is not only muscles, but also a clear head.

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Sources

1. Ashmarin I.P. et al. The nootropic drug Semax: a review of its mechanisms of action. Neurosci. Behav. Physiol., 35(3): 281–286, 2005.

2. Dolotov O.V. et al. Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Res., 1117(1): 54–60, 2006. PubMed

3. Agapova T.Y. et al. Effect of Semax on the temporary dynamics of brain monoamine metabolism. Doklady Biol. Sci., 413: 115–116, 2007.

4. Gusev E.I. et al. Semax in prevention of disease progress and development of exacerbations in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency. Zh. Nevrol. Psikhiatr. im. S.S. Korsakova, 105(2): 35–40, 2005.

5. List of Vital and Essential Medicinal Products for medical use for 2011. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 7, 2011.

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This material was prepared by the LONGIVIYA editorial team based on published scientific research. The information is for educational purposes only and is not a medical recommendation.

For research use only. Not a medicinal product. Not intended for use in humans or animals. Independent verification of every batch: Janoshik Analytical (Czech Republic).