Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide built from the ACTH(4-7) fragment extended with Pro-Gly-Pro. Published research is mostly rat and mouse work from a small group of Russian laboratories; no peer-reviewed human trials were verified for this page.
In rat hippocampus, a single Semax administration raised BDNF protein about 1.4-fold and trkB mRNA about 2-fold [3]. In a rat ischemia-reperfusion (tMCAO) model, researchers measured 394 genes changing expression at 24 h and lower phosphorylated JNK with higher phosphorylated CREB [1][2]. A melanocortin-receptor route has been proposed from the peptide's ACTH origin but is not established.
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semax and BDNF/trkB in rat hippocampus [3] | Rat Healthy rats, single administration, hippocampal tissue | BDNF protein rose up to ~1.4-fold, trkB phosphorylation ~1.6-fold, exon III BDNF mRNA ~3-fold and trkB mRNA ~2-fold. | Peer-reviewed 2006 (PMID 16996037) |
| Transcriptome after ischemia-reperfusion [1] | Rat Ischemia-reperfusion model (tMCAO, 90 min), male Wistar rats, RNA-seq n=3 per group | No gene changes at 4.5 h; 394 genes changed at 24 h (191 up, 203 down), many in the opposite direction to the model's own changes. | Peer-reviewed Genes 2020 |
| Brain protein profile after ischemia-reperfusion [2] | Rat Ischemia-reperfusion model (tMCAO, 90 min), male Wistar rats, n=5-7 per group, 24 h | Subcortical pJNK fell >1.5-fold and pCREB rose >1.5-fold vs model controls; cortical Fos mRNA fell 2.6-fold. | Peer-reviewed Int J Mol Sci 2021 |
| NMDA glycine-site binding in two mouse strains [4] | Mouse BALB/c and C57Bl/6 mice, subchronic administration, radioligand binding in cortex and hippocampus | Semax administration lowered cortical glycine-site binding in both strains (see publication) and raised hippocampal binding 95% in BALB/c mice. | Peer-reviewed Neirokhimiya 2023 |
| Semax in a transgenic amyloid mouse model [5] | Mouse APPswe/PS1dE9/Blg transgenic mice | Researchers reported behavioral-test and histology measurements; abstract gives no effect sizes. | Peer-reviewed Acta Naturae 2025 |
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 Semax for laboratory research. Lot-specific certificates of analysis are posted on the product page as they are issued.
View research-grade Semax