Semax

Category: peptide

Aliases: ACTH(4-7)-PGP, N-acetyl semax (NA-Semax)

Pharmacological Mechanism

N-terminal ACTH(4-7) fragment + C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilisation. Upregulates BDNF / NGF, modulates enkephalin-degrading enzymes (shares pathway with selank), and has melanocortin-family residual activity. Used in Russia for stroke recovery + ADHD-like cognitive complaints. No Western regulatory approval.

Dosing Guidelines

• IN: Typical 66.7 mcg (Range: 50–100 mcg)
• SC: Typical 66.7 mcg (Range: 50–100 mcg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• endocrine
• digestive

Interactions

• Selank (synergistic): Commonly paired in Russian protocols — Semax for cognitive, Selank for anxiolytic. Different ACTH/tuftsin backbones.

Pathways It Modulates

• BDNF / TrkB neurotrophic signaling (activator) — BDNF/NGF expression (ACTH(4-10) analog)
• Cognitive peptide axis (activator) — BDNF + MAO modulation (ACTH 4-10 fragment)

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 9811102
• Formula: C37H51N9O10S
• Molecular weight: 813.9 g/mol
• InChIKey: AFEHBIGDWIGTEH-AQRCPPRCSA-N
• SMILES: CSCC[C@@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCC(=O)O)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC1=CN=CN1)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)C(=O)N3CCC[C@H]3C(=O)NCC(=O)N4CCC[C@H]4C(=O)O)N