Direct Answer
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of tuftsin studied mainly in Russian research for anxiety-related and immunomodulatory effects.
Summary Table
Evidence Level
Low
AI Summary
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the immunopeptide tuftsin, developed in Russia and studied primarily by Russian research groups for anxiolytic and immunomodulatory activity. The evidence base is preclinical to low: animal studies describe anti-anxiety and behavioral effects, and it is reported in Russian clinical use, but independent, large controlled international trials are lacking. It is not approved by the FDA or EMA. Effects are framed as studied, not established for general use.
Key Information
Classification
Key Takeaways
- Selank is a synthetic tuftsin-analog heptapeptide studied mainly in Russian research
- Animal studies describe anxiolytic effects; it is reported in Russian clinical use
- It is not approved by the FDA or EMA, and independent large trials are limited
Scientific Overview
In Plain English
Selank is a lab-made peptide related to a natural immune peptide (tuftsin). Most research comes from Russian animal studies looking at anxiety and behavior, and it is used clinically in Russia. It is not approved as a medicine in the US or Europe, and large independent trials are limited.
Scientific Details
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic, enzymatically stabilized analog of tuftsin. Preclinical studies, largely from Russian groups, describe anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects in rodent models and interactions with GABAergic and monoaminergic systems, as well as effects on the expression of neurotrophins and immune-related genes. It is reported in Russian clinical use as an anxiolytic; independent large-scale controlled trials are limited.
How It Works
Selank is described in research as a tuftsin analog associated with anxiolytic and neuromodulatory effects, including reported interactions with GABAergic signaling and modulation of gene expression, in animal models. These mechanisms are characterized preclinically and are not confirmed by large controlled international trials.
Mechanism of Action
Anxiolytic neuromodulation
animal
Animal studies associate Selank with reduced anxiety-like behavior, including an additive effect with diazepam under chronic stress conditions.
Gene-expression and immune modulation
animal
Preclinical work reports effects on neurotrophin and immune-related gene expression, consistent with its tuftsin-analog origin.
Evidence Level
Human Evidence
Selank is reported in Russian clinical practice as an anxiolytic; independent, large-scale controlled international trials are limited, and it is not approved by the FDA or EMA.
Animal Evidence
Rodent studies describe anxiolytic and antidepressant-like behavioral effects.
Cell Evidence
Studies describe effects on gene expression relevant to neurotransmission and immune signaling.
Limitations
The literature is concentrated in Russian research groups and predominantly preclinical; independent replication and large controlled human trials are limited.
Why This Grade
Graded low: beyond preclinical animal work there is reported Russian clinical use, but there is limited independent, large-scale controlled human evidence and no FDA/EMA approval.
References
- Peptide Selank Enhances the Effect of Diazepam in Reducing Anxiety in Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Conditions in Rats. Behavioural Neurology.Animal Studydoi:10.1155/2017/5091027 →
- Effects of heptapeptide selank on genetically-based and situation-provoked symptoms of depression in behavior in WAG/Rij and Wistar rats, and in BALB/c mice. Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatelnosti.Animal StudyPMID: 18661785 →
Alternative Names
- TP-7
- Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
- Tuftsin analog
Risks & Safety
- Not approved by the FDA or EMA; safety and efficacy are not established by those standards
- Independent human safety data are limited
- Research-chemical-vendor material is not quality-controlled and may be mislabeled or contaminated
- Long-term effects are not well characterized outside a limited body of research
Claim Boundaries
ION BLUE is an educational research aggregator. This content summarizes published scientific literature. It is not medically reviewed, is not medical advice, and is not a recommendation to use any substance. Several peptides discussed are research chemicals or investigational drugs not approved for general human use. Consult a licensed healthcare provider. This entry does not assert that Selank is safe or effective for any use and is not a recommendation to obtain or use it.
This page summarizes published research and is for informational purposes only; it is not medical advice.