Selank (5mg)

Selank (5 mg)

Selank (also known as TP-7 / Selanc) is a synthetic linear heptapeptide with the sequence Thr–Lys–Pro–Arg–Pro–Gly–Pro (TKPRPGP). It was designed as an analog of the endogenous immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin (Thr–Lys–Pro–Arg), extended by a C-terminal Pro–Gly–Pro fragment to improve metabolic stability and central activity. Peptide Systems+2SCIRP+2

In Russian and Eastern European literature, Selank is described as an anxiolytic and nootropic regulatory peptide with additional immunomodulatory and neurotrophic properties. Clinical and preclinical work suggests that Selank can:

• Reduce anxiety symptoms with minimal sedation

• Modulate GABAergic and monoaminergic neurotransmission

• Influence BDNF expression and neuroplasticity

• Regulate inflammation- and immune-related gene expression and cytokine levels ResearchGate+9PubMed+9PMC+9

Selank has been approved for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in Russia, but it remains unapproved by major regulators such as the FDA and EMA and is typically supplied internationally as a research-only peptide. rmpeptides.com+5ScienceDirect+5Cambridge University Press & Assessment+5

Specifications

Synonyms: Selank, Selanc, TP-7, Thr–Lys–Pro–Arg–Pro–Gly–Pro, tuftsin analog

Sequence: H-Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro-OH (TKPRPGP) rmpeptides.com+3Peptide Systems+3PubChem+3

Molecular formula: C₃₃H₅₇N₁₁O₉ rmpeptides.com+3InvivoChem+3PubChem+3

Molecular weight: ≈751.9 g/mol rmpeptides.com+3InvivoChem+3PubChem+3

Class:
Synthetic tuftsin-derived heptapeptide with anxiolytic, nootropic and immunomodulatory activity; research melanotropic / neuromodulatory peptide. BluVida Wellness & Med Spa+3PubMed+3SCIRP+3

Presentation (research grade):
Lyophilized powder, 5 mg per vial (Selank, >98% purity; exact content and excipients per batch COA). For experimental use, vials are typically reconstituted with sterile aqueous buffer to the desired working concentration following lab SOPs. rmpeptides.com+3ProSpec+3Peptide Systems+3

Mechanism of Action and Core Pathways

Tuftsin analog and immunomodulation

Selank is structurally based on tuftsin, an IgG-derived tetrapeptide with immunomodulatory effects. SCIRP+2Most Wiedzy+2

Multiple studies show that Selank and its fragments:

• Alter the expression of inflammation-related genes in mouse spleen and hippocampus, influencing components of innate and adaptive immunity. ResearchGate+5ScienceDirect+5PubMed+5

• Shift the expression of genes linked to different types of immune responses, consistent with a role in immune balance rather than non-specific stimulation. PubMed+2ScienceDirect+2

• In patients with anxiety–asthenic disorders, in vitro Selank exposure at 10⁻⁷ M suppressed IL-6 gene expression in peripheral blood cells, aligning with its clinical designation as an immunomodulatory anxiolytic. Europe PMC+2ResearchGate+2

A recent study under social stress conditions in rats showed that Selank reduced plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1 back toward control values, reinforcing its potential as a peptide regulator of cytokine networks and stress-linked inflammation. PubMed+2ScienceDirect+2

GABAergic modulation

At the CNS level, Selank interacts closely with GABAergic neurotransmission:

• Volkova et al. demonstrated that Selank administration significantly changes the expression of 40+ genes involved in GABAergic signaling (GABA_A receptor subunits, transporters, ion channels) in rat frontal cortex within 1–3 h, suggesting a rapid transcriptomic response in GABA pathways. Creative Peptides+6PMC+6Frontiers+6

• Vyunova et al. reported that Selank acts as a positive allosteric modulator of [³H]GABA binding to GABA_A receptors and interacts functionally with benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, modulating their effects in a non-additive fashion. PubMed+1

These data support the view that Selank exerts its anxiolytic profile in part by fine-tuning GABA_A receptor function and transcription, rather than by classic benzodiazepine-like sedation.

Monoamine and neurotrophin modulation

Selank also influences monoamine systems and BDNF:

• Narkevich et al. showed that Selank alters levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites across hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum and frontal cortex in mice, with strain-dependent patterns that match behavioral reactivity. PubMed+1

• Intranasal Selank modulates BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus in vivo, connecting the peptide’s effects to neuroplasticity pathways. ResearchGate+1

• In a rat model of ethanol-induced cognitive impairment, Selank (0.3 mg/kg, 7 days) prevented memory and attention disturbances and normalized ethanol-induced increases in BDNF content in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Creative Peptides+4PubMed+4SpringerLink+4

Together, these findings position Selank as a multi-target neuromodulator acting on GABA, monoamines and BDNF-linked plasticity.

Selank in Anxiety, Stress and Cognitive Research

Clinical anxiety and GAD

A pivotal randomized clinical study in 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia compared Selank with the benzodiazepine medazepam: PubMed+2Medical Anti-Aging+2

• Selank (intranasal) produced an anxiolytic effect comparable to medazepam on Hamilton and Zung scales.

• Unlike medazepam, Selank showed additional antiasthenic and mild psychostimulant properties, with improvements in fatigue and cognitive complaints.

• Changes in serum enkephalin activity suggested a possible peptidergic/neuromodulatory component to its anxiolytic action.

Subsequent psychiatric reports and a European abstract (Syunyakov et al.) note that Selank was approved in Russia for GAD, describing it as an anxiolytic with stimulatory and cognitive-enhancing properties and documenting rapid vs delayed responder subgroups. ChemicalBook+5ScienceDirect+5Cambridge University Press & Assessment+5

Modeled stress, alcohol withdrawal and behavior

In preclinical stress and alcohol models:

• Selank reduced anxiety-like behavior in rodents and attenuated symptoms of acute 48-h alcohol withdrawal, functioning as a peptide anxiolytic in experimental dependence paradigms. pharmacokinetica.ru+3Europe PMC+3SpringerLink+3

• In adolescent and adult rats, Selank prevented ethanol-induced short-term memory disturbance and hyperlocomotion, supporting its role as a protective agent during alcohol withdrawal and stress-induced behavioral dysregulation. ResearchGate+3pharmacokinetica.ru+3SpringerLink+3

Interaction with benzodiazepines

Kasian and co-workers examined Selank in combination with diazepam:

• Selank alone produced a robust reduction in elevated anxiety in rodents.

• Co-administration with diazepam modified, but did not simply add to, the benzodiazepine’s effect, reflecting complex GABA_A receptor modulation rather than straightforward potentiation. PMC+2PubMed+2

This work supports Selank as a tool compound for studying non-sedative anxiolytic mechanisms and peptide–benzodiazepine interactions.

Immunomodulation, Cytokines and Antiviral Research

A consistent theme in Selank research is immune and inflammatory modulation:

• Kolomin et al. showed that Selank and its fragments alter expression of multiple genes involved in inflammation (complement components, caspases, cytokine receptors) in mouse spleen in a time-dependent manner after a single injection. Clin Physiol Pathol Journal+3ScienceDirect+3PubMed+3

• Uchakina et al. reported that Selank suppressed IL-6 gene expression in vitro in peripheral blood cells of patients with GAD and neurasthenia, consistent with an anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory profile. Europe PMC+1

• Leonidovna et al. demonstrated that under social stress, Selank reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1 in rats toward baseline levels. PubMed+2ScienceDirect+2

• Experimental influenza infection models show that Selank exhibits antiviral activity, associated with transcriptomic changes in inflammatory and immune genes in brain and spleen. ResearchGate+2ResearchGate+2

These findings make Selank a useful peptide tool to investigate the cross-talk between stress, cytokines, immune regulation and behavior.

Cognitive, Nootropic and Neuroplasticity Studies

Beyond anxiolysis, Selank has been studied for learning, memory and neuroplasticity:

• In ethanol-related cognitive impairment models, Selank improved object recognition performance and prevented the formation of memory and attention deficits that typically emerge during alcohol withdrawal. SpringerLink+3PubMed+3ResearchGate+3

• The same work showed that Selank normalized ethanol-induced BDNF increases in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, indicating that its cognitive effects may be mediated via BDNF-dependent plasticity pathways. Creative Peptides+5PubMed+5SpringerLink+5

• A broader peptide-gene expression review highlights Selank as a paradigm case of short peptides reprogramming gene expression networks, particularly those linked to neurotransmission and plasticity. PMC+2Frontiers+2

These data support using Selank in research on stress-related cognitive impairment, alcohol-linked neuroplasticity and peptide-based nootropic strategies.

Regulatory Status and Limitations

• Selank has been developed and approved in Russia as a prescription anxiolytic for GAD, generally delivered intranasally. RevitalyzeMD Knoxville+4ScienceDirect+4PubMed+4

• Outside that context, Selank is not approved by the FDA, EMA or other major Western regulators and is sold only as a laboratory research reagent by peptide suppliers. ChemicalBook+5InvivoChem+5ProSpec+5

• Clinical studies to date are largely small, regionally conducted, and relatively short, so long-term safety, rare adverse events, and efficacy across diverse populations remain incompletely characterized. ResearchGate+6PubMed+6Medical Anti-Aging+6

Selank should therefore be treated as an investigational neuropeptide, suitable for mechanistic and translational research but not a validated therapy in most jurisdictions.

Research Use Only – Important Notice

This Selank (5 mg) product is supplied exclusively for laboratory research purposes.

• Not for human or veterinary use

• Not for diagnostic, therapeutic, or cosmetic applications

• Intended only for in vitro experiments and/or appropriately controlled animal studies conducted by qualified professionals

• All descriptions above summarize findings from preclinical and limited clinical studies of Selank (TP-7) and related tuftsin-derived peptides.

• They must not be interpreted as medical claims, dosing guidance, or recommendations for self-administration or clinical treatment.

References

1. Zozulya AA. et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2008. PubMed+2Medical Anti-Aging+2

2. Syunyakov T. et al. Rapid and slow response during treatment of generalized anxiety disorder with peptide anxiolytic Selank. Eur Psychiatry (P-1114 abstract). 2012. ScienceDirect+1

3. Vyunova TV. et al. The molecular aspects of heptapeptide Selank biological activity: regulation of GABAergic system. J Amino Acids. 2018. PubMed+1

4. Volkova A. et al. Selank administration affects the expression of some genes involved in GABAergic neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:31. PMC+2Frontiers+2

5. Narkevich VB. et al. Effects of heptapeptide Selank on the content of neurotransmitter monoamines and their metabolites in brain structures of mice. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2008. PubMed+1

6. Kolomin T. et al. Expression of inflammation-related genes in mouse spleen under the action of tuftsin analog Selank and its fragments. Immunobiology / Mol Immunol. 2011–2014 series. Clin Physiol Pathol Journal+3ScienceDirect+3PubMed+3

7. Uchakina ON. et al. Immunomodulatory effects of Selank in patients with anxiety–asthenic disorders. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008. Europe PMC+1

8. Leonidovna YA. et al. The influence of Selank on the level of cytokines under conditions of “social” stress. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2021. PubMed

9. Kolik LG. et al. Selank, peptide analogue of tuftsin, protects against ethanol-induced memory impairment by regulating BDNF content in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2019;167(5):641–644. Creative Peptides+3PubMed+3SpringerLink+3

10. Kolik LG. et al. Efficacy of peptide anxiolytic Selank during modeling of acute alcohol withdrawal. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2014. Europe PMC+2SpringerLink+2

11. Ershov F. et al. Antiviral activity of immunomodulator Selank in experimental influenza infection. Vopr Virusol. 2009. ResearchGate+2ResearchGate+2

12. Khavinson VK. et al. Peptide regulation of gene expression: a systematic review. Molecules. 2021 (includes Selank gene-expression work). PMC+1

13. ProSpec, PeptideSystems, InvivoChem, RM Peptides – Selank technical data (sequence TKPRPGP, molecular formula C₃₃H₅₇N₁₁O₉, MW ~751.9, research-use-only labeling). BluVida Wellness & Med Spa+5InvivoChem+5