Overview
A synthetic heptapeptide derived from the immune peptide tuftsin, developed in Russia and studied predominantly in anxiety, stress-response and cognitive models. It is most often described in the literature as an anxiolytic-type research peptide without sedative properties.
Mechanism of Action
Selank is a tuftsin analogue extended with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail that markedly increases enzymatic stability relative to native tuftsin.
Published work reports modulation of the GABAergic system and of monoamine turnover, particularly serotonin and dopamine metabolism in limbic structures.
Studies describe changes in expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and in the activity of enkephalin-degrading enzymes, which has been proposed as a mechanism for its reported effect duration.
Its tuftsin lineage also gives it documented immunomodulatory activity, including effects on interleukin expression reported in cell and animal work.
Areas Being Studied
- Anxiety and stress-response models
- Cognitive support and memory endpoints
- Immune signalling and interleukin expression
- Neuroprotection research
Listing a research area does not imply efficacy, approval, or suitability for any use.
Research Summary
- Animal studies report anxiolytic-type behavioural changes in elevated plus maze and conflict paradigms without the motor sedation associated with benzodiazepines.
- Russian clinical literature describes use in generalised anxiety research cohorts, with reported changes in anxiety scales; most of this work is published outside high-impact international journals and sample sizes are small.
- Studies report altered expression of genes linked to inflammation and immunity following administration, consistent with its tuftsin origin.
- Independent replication outside the original research groups remains limited, which is the main methodological caveat cited in reviews.
Potential Adverse Effects Reported in Research
- Published reports describe a generally low adverse-event frequency, with transient drowsiness or lightheadedness most commonly noted.
- Nasal irritation is reported where intranasal formulations were used.
- Because the peptide has immunomodulatory activity, reviews note the absence of long-term immune safety data.
- No large, independent long-term safety datasets exist.
Reconstitution Basics
Supplied as a lyophilised powder; laboratory documentation commonly describes reconstitution with bacteriostatic water, with intranasal solutions prepared in some published protocols.
Bacteriostatic water
Sterile water containing roughly 0.9% benzyl alcohol as a preservative, which inhibits bacterial growth in multi-access vials.
Sterile technique
Laboratory documentation describes disinfecting the stopper, using a fresh sterile needle for each access, and avoiding contact with non-sterile surfaces.
After reconstitution
Solutions are refrigerated, protected from light, and not subjected to repeated freeze–thaw cycles.
This section is educational background on laboratory handling. It is not an instruction or protocol.
Open the reconstitution calculator →Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Selank has been studied predominantly as an intranasal solution in Russian clinical research, dosed daily over short courses of two to four weeks.
Protocol overview
- Intranasal administration dominates the published literature; injectable use is far less documented.
- Split daily dosing reflects rapid plasma degradation despite longer-reported central effects.
- Courses are time-limited in every published protocol reviewed.
Dosing protocol — standard titration
| Phase | Reported dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Low end of the cited intranasal rangeSplit across both nostrils. | Split across both nostrils. |
| Days 4–14 | Cited daily range, split 2–3× dailyStandard course length in published studies. | Standard course length in published studies. |
| After 14 days | Course breakStudies used defined courses, not continuous use. | Studies used defined courses, not continuous use. |
Dosing protocol — gradual titration
| Phase | Reported dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Lowest cited amount once dailySlow entry. | Slow entry. |
| Weeks 2–3 | Cited amount split twice dailyShort plasma half-life drives split dosing. | Short plasma half-life drives split dosing. |
| Week 4+ | Off-cycleCourses are typically 2–4 weeks. | Courses are typically 2–4 weeks. |
Schedules summarise what appears in published studies, trial protocols or manufacturer documentation. They are reference material, not a recommendation.
Where to Buy Compounds & Supplies
External link. PepDex does not sell products and does not endorse any supplier.
Supplies needed
Lyophilised peptide vial
Sealed vial with an intact stopper and a legible mass label (mg or mcg).
Bacteriostatic water
Sterile water with ~0.9% benzyl alcohol, used where a vial will be accessed more than once. Sterile water for injection is used for single-access work.
Reconstitution syringe
A 1–3 mL syringe with a larger-gauge needle for drawing and transferring solvent.
Insulin syringe (U-100)
Fine-gauge syringe graduated in units; 100 units = 1 mL. Used for accurate small-volume measurement.
Alcohol prep pads
70% isopropyl swabs for disinfecting both vial stoppers before every access.
Sharps container
Rigid, puncture-resistant container for single-use needle disposal.
Refrigeration and light protection
2–8 °C storage plus an opaque box or the original carton for reconstituted vials.
Labels
Date of reconstitution, resulting concentration and compound name on every vial.
Reconstitution steps
- 01
Bring the vial to room temperature
Lyophilised powder is allowed to equilibrate out of the refrigerator before the stopper is pierced, which reduces condensation inside the vial.
- 02
Disinfect both stoppers
The peptide vial and the bacteriostatic water vial are each swabbed with 70% isopropyl alcohol and allowed to air dry.
- 03
Draw the calculated solvent volume
Solvent volume is chosen to produce a convenient concentration — the reconstitution calculator converts vial mass and solvent volume into concentration and syringe units.
- 04
Add the solvent slowly down the vial wall
The stream is directed against the glass rather than onto the powder cake. Peptides are shear-sensitive and direct jetting is avoided.
- 05
Dissolve without shaking
The vial is left to stand, then gently swirled or rolled. Shaking introduces foam and mechanical stress that can denature peptide chains.
- 06
Inspect the solution
Documentation describes checking for a clear, particle-free solution. Cloudiness, visible particulate or discolouration is treated as a failed preparation.
- 07
Label and refrigerate
The vial is labelled with compound, concentration and date, then stored at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Storage instructions
- Before reconstitution: lyophilised powder is kept sealed, dry and away from light; most suppliers specify refrigeration at 2–8 °C, with freezer storage for long-term holding.
- After reconstitution: refrigerated at 2–8 °C and used within the window described in the literature (commonly cited as ~14–30 days refrigerated).
- Protection from light: the vial is kept in its carton or an opaque container; repeated exposure to daylight is avoided.
- Handling: repeated freeze–thaw cycles are avoided, and vials are not left at room temperature between accesses.
- Integrity checks: any solution that becomes cloudy, discoloured or shows particulate is discarded rather than filtered.
Half-Life
Minutes in plasma (peptide), effects reported longer
The intact peptide is cleared from plasma rapidly, but published work reports downstream gene-expression effects persisting well beyond measurable plasma levels.
Storage
- Before reconstitution
- Lyophilised powder stored frozen at −20 °C for long-term storage.
- After reconstitution
- Refrigerated at 2–8 °C after reconstitution.
- Light protection
- Protected from light; amber vials are commonly described.
- Shelf-life considerations
- Reconstituted solutions are typically described as usable for a few weeks refrigerated.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
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Educational reference only. Figures are compiled from published research literature. PepDex does not provide medical advice, dosing recommendations, or instructions for use.