Semax 10mg

Research applications

• Rodent models of cerebral ischaemia and neuroprotection
• Cognitive-performance assays (spatial memory, attention tasks)
• Neurotrophic factor expression studies (BDNF pathway research)
• ACTH(4-10) structure-activity relationship research

What the literature reports on Semax

Semax belongs to a family of ACTH(4-10) analogues studied since the 1980s for activity in the central nervous system that is independent of the adrenal-stimulating properties of the parent hormone. Because the native ACTH(4-10) fragment is rapidly degraded by peptidases, the Pro-Gly-Pro extension was added specifically to improve metabolic stability in animal models, a modification that recurs throughout the published pharmacology of this peptide class.

Neurotrophic factor research

A substantial portion of the Semax literature concerns brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Rodent studies have reported increased BDNF gene expression in hippocampal tissue following administration, and this line of research is frequently cited as a candidate mechanism for the neuroprotective and cognitive effects observed in other assays. Related work has examined nerve growth factor (NGF) expression and downstream signalling pathways, including changes reported in tyrosine kinase receptor activity in rodent brain tissue.

Cerebral ischaemia models

Rodent models of focal cerebral ischaemia are a recurring theme in the Semax literature, with studies reporting reduced infarct volume and altered markers of oxidative stress and inflammation following administration in the peri-infarct period. This body of work has informed exploratory clinical research into acute stroke settings within Russian medical literature, although such clinical use is outside the scope of research-grade material sold for laboratory purposes.

Cognitive and behavioural assays

Behavioural pharmacology studies in rodents have used standard cognitive assays, including passive avoidance and spatial memory tasks, to characterise Semax activity. Findings across this literature are generally interpreted in the context of the peptide's effects on neurotrophic signalling rather than as a direct pharmacological action comparable to classical stimulants.

Respiratory and hypoxia research

A separate strand of the Semax literature has examined its activity in models of hypoxic and respiratory stress, with studies in animal models reporting changes in markers of tissue oxygenation tolerance under experimentally induced hypoxic conditions. This research is generally discussed alongside the broader neuroprotective literature, given the overlap between hypoxia tolerance and ischaemic injury pathways.

Structural analogue research

Because Semax has spawned a small family of related ACTH(4-10) analogues, researchers have compared its activity against modified variants that alter its stability and receptor-interaction profile, most notably N-Acetyl Semax Amidate. This comparative structure-activity research examines how N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal amidation change the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile relative to the parent Semax sequence, a comparison detailed in the Semax vs N-Acetyl Semax Amidate guide.

Analytical and stability chemistry research

Given its use as a research reagent, a body of analytical chemistry literature has characterised Semax's stability under different storage and reconstitution conditions, examining degradation pathways relevant to peptide handling in laboratory settings. This analytical research directly informs the reconstitution and storage practices recommended for laboratory use of the compound.

Semax nasal spray: what the cited studies used

Intranasal administration is the route used throughout the Semax literature cited on this page and on the Semax research overview — including the rat biodistribution study tracking radiolabelled Semax after intranasal dosing, and the non-randomised clinical study following intranasal Semax courses after ischaemic stroke. This listing supplies lyophilised Semax powder for laboratory reconstitution, not an assembled spray device; researchers replicating an intranasal protocol prepare and administer the solution themselves under their own laboratory procedures.

For a full review of the Semax literature, citation-by-citation, see the Semax research pillar, and for a side-by-side comparison with the structurally related peptide Selank, see the Semax vs Selank guide.

Laboratory handling

Each vial of lyophilised Semax should be stored at -20°C prior to reconstitution and protected from light and humidity. Standard laboratory practice for peptide reconstitution uses bacteriostatic water or sterile water for injection introduced slowly along the vial wall to avoid disrupting the lyophilised cake by direct stream impact. Once reconstituted, aliquots for research use are generally stored at 2-8°C for short-term use within the working period defined by the researcher's protocol, or frozen at -20°C for longer-term storage, with repeated freeze-thaw cycles minimised to preserve peptide integrity.

• Lyophilised powder: store at -20°C, protected from light, until reconstitution.
• Reconstitution: introduce diluent slowly along the vial wall; avoid vigorous shaking.
• Post-reconstitution: 2-8°C for short-term laboratory use; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Each batch ships with a certificate of analysis confirming ≥99% purity by HPLC and identity by mass spectrometry.

For a full protocol reference, see the peptide reconstitution and storage guide. This product is intended for laboratory research use only.