Key Benefits
Biologic Description
Selank, an analog of the endogenous tetrapeptide tuftsin, is widely recognized for its potential in enhancing cognitive function, improving memory, and boosting mental clarity, often classified informally as a nootropic. Developed in the early 1990s at the Russian Academy of Sciences, Selank primarily gained attention for its anxiolytic properties, believed to be due to its modulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. This action not only reduces anxiety but also promotes a sense of calmness without inducing sedation or impairing cognitive abilities.
Intriguingly, Selank's influence extends beyond the central nervous system, as it interacts with the immune system by affecting gene expression and modulating cytokine balance. It has shown promise in the treatment of various conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, and cognitive impairments. While approved for treating generalized anxiety disorder in Russia and some CIS states, it remains unreviewed by the FDA for clinical use in the U.S.
Selank's mechanisms are multifaceted. It alters the expression of GABA receptors, enhancing their affinity for GABA and thus mimicking the effects of benzodiazepines but without their side effects. It protects enkephalins, endogenous peptides involved in pain and anxiety reduction, by inhibiting enzymes that degrade them. This was evidenced in studies demonstrating its anxiolytic impact on certain mouse strains. Additionally, Selank suppresses the reproduction of the H3N2 influenza strain more effectively than traditional antiviral drugs, suggesting potential antiviral capabilities.
Clinical trials and studies have illuminated several benefits of Selank. Its anxiolytic effects are notable, with studies showing it reduces anxiety, increases enkephalin levels, and may enhance the effectiveness of other anxiety treatments. Its stress-relief potential is also significant, as it moderates stress-related hormone release and aids in stress adaptation. Furthermore, its cognitive-enhancing effects have been observed in learning-disabled rats, with improvements in learning, memory, and problem-solving skills.
Potential side effects include headaches and nausea. Nevertheless, its wide-ranging applications and ongoing research make it a compound of considerable interest in the scientific community.
Dosage Guidelines
With the current lack of established guidelines for human Selank dosing due to its unapproved status for such use, there is no definite dosage range or cycle length for Selank. Nevertheless, Dr. William Seeds, in his 2020 work, offered a sensible protocol drawing from a synthesis of available studies and personal observations in Selank therapy.
One of the recommended methods for administering Selank is through subcutaneous injections into adipose tissue. This method tends to have slower onset compared to other methods but potentially offers longer-lasting effects. The proposed dosage for subcutaneous injections ranges from 150mcg to 300mcg once per day.
In terms of the study duration for Selank, the lack of extensive clinical data makes it challenging to suggest a specific length. However, it's generally recommended to continue dosing for at least two weeks to observe the desired outcomes. While there's no strong evidence to support the need for cycling Selank, it might be wise to give research subjects a week-long break after every one or two weeks of administration as a precautionary measure.
150-300 mcg
Per Day
1-2 Weeks
Side Effects
Although Selank has limited safety data, it has shown minimal adverse effects in both human and animal studies. A peer-reviewed study highlighted that Selank offers the positive effects of low-dose benzodiazepines without their side effects.
Additionally, when used with phenazepam for anxiety disorders, Selank significantly reduced the side effects typically associated with phenazepam.
However, it's important to note that most Selank research, primarily conducted by scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, has been of short duration, possibly not allowing enough time for all adverse effects to appear.
Anecdotal reports mention side effects like headaches, pain or redness at the injection site, and nausea, but these are not conclusively linked to Selank.
Thus, researchers should exercise caution and thorough investigation before using Selank in their studies.
References:
Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission
Clinical studies have shown the similarity of the spectrum of physiological effects of Selank and classical benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and phenazepam. These data suggest that there is a similar basis of their mechanism of action. To test this hypothesis we studied the effect of Selank and GABA on the expression of genes involved in neurotransmission. We analyzed the expression of 84 genes involved in neurotransmission (e.g., major subunit of the GABA receptor, transporters, ion channels, dopamine, and serotonin receptors) in the frontal cortex of rats 1 and 3 h after the administration of Selank or GABA (300 μg/kg) using real-time PCR method. We found significant changes in the expression of 45 genes 1 h after the administration of the compounds. Three hours after Selank or GABA administration, 22 genes changed their expression. We found positive correlation between the changes in genes expression within 1 h after administration of Selank or GABA. Our results showed that Selank caused a number of alterations in the expression of genes involved in neurotransmission. The data obtained indicate that Selank is characterized by its complex effects on nerve cells, and one of its possible molecular mechanisms is associated with allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system.
Author: Anastasiya Volkova, Maria Shadrina, Timur Kolomin, Lyudmila Andreeva, Svetlana Limborska, Nikolay Myasoedov, Petr Slominsky Myasoedov
Publication Date: 2016 Feb
Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders
The purpose of this article was to study the immunotropic effects of the new neurotrophic heptapeptide selank. The experiments in vitro revealed that the drug in concentration 10-7 M completely suppressed gene expression by peripheral blood IL-6 of patients with depression but not of the healthy controls. At the same time, the significant increase (p<0,05) of IL-6 concentration was observed in the cell culture of peripheral blood of patients in the presence of selank. The changes of the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance in vivo were found in the serum of patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia who received Selank during 14 days. The dynamics of these changes had the significant inverse correlation dependence. The cytokine regulating effects revealed in the study suggest that selank can be used as a novel immunomodulator in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders. Additionally, the adaptogenic properties of selank may be beneficial to its use in elderly people and people exposed to environmental stressors for the prevention of infectious diseases.
Authors: O N Uchakina, P N Uchakin, N F Miasoedov, L A Andreeva, V E Shcherbenko, M V Mezentseva, M V Gabaeva, O Iu Sokolov, A A Zozulia, F I Ershov
Published: 2008
Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia
Sixty-two patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia were studied. The effect of selank (30 patients) was compared to that of medazepam (32 patients). Patient's state was assessed with psychometric scales (Hamilton, Zung, CGI). Enkephalin activity in the blood serum was measured as well. The anxiolytic effects of both drugs were similar but selank had also antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects. The clinical-biological study revealed that patients with GAD and neurasthenia had the decreased level of tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin which was correlated with disease duration, severity of symptoms related to anxiety and asthenia and autonomic disorders. The increase of this parameter and stronger positive correlations with anxiety level were observed during the treatment with selank mostly in patients with GAD.
Authors: A A Zozulia, G G Neznamov, T S Siuniakov, N V Kost, M V Gabaeva, O Iu Sokolov, E V Serebriakova, O A Siranchieva, A V Andriushenko, E S Telesheva, S A Siuniakov, A B Smulevich, N F Miasoedov, S B Seredenin
Published: 2008
Effects of Selank on behavioral reactions and activities of plasma enkephalin-degrading enzymes in mice with different phenotypes of emotional and stress reactions
Comparative study of plasma activities of enkephalin-degrading enzymes in mice with different phenotypes of emotional and stress reactions revealed significant differences between intact BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice by the half-life of plasma leu-enkephalin. Selank in a dose of 100 micrograms/kg produced an anxiolytic effect in the open-field test and increased the half-life of plasma leu-enkephalin in BALB/c mice, but had no effect on behavioral reactions and enkephalinase activities in C57Bl/6 mice. Our results suggest that anxiolytic activity of Selank is associated with inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes.
Authors: O Yu Sokolov, V K Meshavkin, N V Kost, A A Zozulya
Published: 2002 Feb