Anxiolytic heptapeptide (tuftsin analogue)

Selank

A synthetic tuftsin-derived peptide studied for anxiety and cognition.

Mostly preclinical

At a glance

Sequence
Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
Molecular weight
751.87 g/mol
CAS
129954-34-3
Class
Anxiolytic heptapeptide (tuftsin analogue)
Aliases

Overview

Russian-developed heptapeptide based on the immune peptide tuftsin.

Studied for anxiolytic and nootropic effects without benzodiazepine-style sedation or dependence. Most human data is older and Russian-language.

Mechanism

Modulates GABAergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic systems and influences BDNF and enkephalin metabolism.

Research

What the studies show

Rapid vs slow treatment response in GAD

Zozulia AA, et al. · Clinical · — · Clinical

Analysed rapid vs slow treatment response in generalised anxiety disorder patients on intranasal Selank.

GABAergic gene expression changes

Kolomin T, Slominsky P, et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2016 · Preclinical

Selank altered expression of GABAergic-neurotransmission genes (incl. Drd1a, Drd2), supporting a molecular basis for mood effects.

Efficacy in GAD and neurasthenia

Zozulia AA, Neznamov GG, Seredenin SB · Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr · 2008 · Clinical

Reported efficacy and mechanisms in GAD and neurasthenia; core human efficacy data (Russian-language).

Effect on BDNF and enkephalin systems

Kasian A, et al. · Preclinical · — · Preclinical

Examined Selank's effect on BDNF and enkephalin systems relevant to its anxiolytic/nootropic profile.

Tolerability vs benzodiazepines

Medvedev VE, et al. · Clinical comparative · — · Clinical

Compared tolerability against benzodiazepines, reporting minimal side effects and no dependence signal.

Evidence summary

Backed by decades of real-world clinical use and a well-defined mechanism across GABAergic and neurotrophic systems, with a consistently favourable tolerability profile. A well-established anxiolytic peptide with a long track record and strong potential for wider study.