Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the naturally occurring peptide tuftsin. Published research is mainly rodent and cell work from Russian laboratories; no peer-reviewed human trials were verified for this page.
Selank's mechanism is not established. Rat frontal-cortex gene-expression changes after Selank resembled those after GABA, leading researchers to propose allosteric modulation of the GABAergic system [1]. An older mouse study linked its behavioral effects to slower breakdown of plasma enkephalins [3]. Both are proposed mechanisms; in IMR-32 cells Selank alone changed none of the GABA-related genes measured [2].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GABA-related gene expression in rat cortex [1] | Rat Rats, frontal cortex sampled 1 h and 3 h after Selank or GABA; 84 neurotransmission genes by qPCR | 45 genes changed significantly at 1 h and 22 at 3 h; Selank and GABA expression changes correlated at 1 h. | Peer-reviewed Frontiers in Pharmacology 2016 |
| Selank, GABA and olanzapine in IMR-32 cells [2] | Cell IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells, 1 h exposure, 69 genes analyzed | Selank alone changed no genes; with olanzapine, 35 of 69 genes changed vs 25 for olanzapine alone. | Peer-reviewed Frontiers in Pharmacology 2017 |
| Enkephalin-degrading enzymes in two mouse strains [3] | Mouse BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice, open-field test and plasma enzyme assays | Open-field behavior changed and plasma leu-enkephalin half-life rose in BALB/c mice; no effect in C57Bl/6 mice. | Peer-reviewed Bull Exp Biol Med 2002 |
| NMDA glycine-site binding in two mouse strains [4] | Mouse BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice, subchronic administration, radioligand binding in cortex and hippocampus | Selank administration lowered cortical glycine-site binding in both strains (see publication); hippocampal binding rose 15% in BALB/c. | Peer-reviewed Neirokhimiya 2023 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
PureLab supplies Selank for laboratory research. Lot-specific certificates of analysis are posted on the product page as they are issued.
View research-grade Selank