Selank

Selank (Russian: Cеланк) is a nootropic, anxiolytic peptide based drug developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Selank is a heptapeptide with the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP). It is a synthetic analogue of human tuftsin.

Selank

Clinical data
Other names	Selanc; L-threonyl-L-lysyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl-L-prolylglycyl-L-Proline
Routes of administration	Nasal muscosa, IV
Legal status
Legal status	In general: unscheduled
Identifiers
IUPAC name 1-[2-({1-[2-({1-[6-Amino-2-(2-amino-3-hydroxy-butyrylamino)-hexanoyl]-pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl}-amino)-5-guanidino-pentanoyl]-pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl}-amino)-acetyl]-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid
CAS Number	129954-34-3 N
PubChem CID	11765600
ChemSpider	9940290 Y
UNII	TS9JR8EP1G
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID701029276
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C33H57N11O9
Molar mass	751.887 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
SMILES NCCCCC(C(=O)N1CCCC1C(=O)NC(C(=O)N2CCCC2C(=O)NCC(=O)N3CCCC3C(=O)O)CCCNC(=N)N)NC(C(C(C)O)N)=O
InChI InChI=1S/C33H57N11O9/c1-19(45)26(35)29(49)41-20(8-2-3-13-34)30(50)44-17-6-11-23(44)28(48)40-21(9-4-14-38-33(36)37)31(51)43-16-5-10-22(43)27(47)39-18-25(46)42-15-7-12-24(42)32(52)53/h19-24,26,45H,2-18,34-35H2,1H3,(H,39,47)(H,40,48)(H,41,49)(H,52,53)(H4,36,37,38)/t19-,20+,21+,22+,23+,24+,26+/m1/s1 Y Key:JTDTXGMXNXBGBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N N
NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Pharmacology

Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin; as such, it mimics many of its effects. It has been shown to modulate the expression of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and affect the balance of T helper cell cytokines.^[1] It has been shown to influence the concentration of monoamine neurotransmitters^[2] and induce metabolism of serotonin.^[3][4] Selank has also been found to rapidly elevate the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of rats.^[5]

Selank, as well as a related peptide drug, Semax, have been found to inhibit enzymes involved in the degradation of enkephalins and other endogenous regulatory peptides, and this action may be involved in their effects.^[6] It has also been found to affect the activity of carboxypeptidase H and phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride-inhibited carboxypeptidase in rat nervous system tissue.^[7]

Selank has been found to produce antidepressant-like effects in animal models of depression and anhedonia.^[8]

Clinical trials

In clinical trials, the drug has shown to provide a sustained nootropic and anxiolytic effect which is useful for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).^[1] Selank has an advantage over traditional anxiety treatments, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, as it has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and no associated addiction or withdrawal problems.^{[citation needed]}

Selank is closely related to another nootropic drug, Semax, also developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Russia. This drug is currently available in Russian and Ukrainian pharmacies.^[9]

As with all lyophilized peptides, it needs refrigeration to remain stable within sterile water solutions, such as bacteriostatic water concentrations.

See also

• Afobazole
• Mebicar
• Semax
• Bemethyl
• List of Russian drugs