Selank

Overview

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin. It is registered as a prescription anxiolytic in Russia (0.15% intranasal solution); it is not FDA or EMA approved.

Mechanism of Action

Selank is proposed to act as a positive allosteric modulator at GABA-A receptors, inhibit enkephalin-degrading enzymes (prolonging endogenous opioid peptide signaling), modulate serotonergic and monoaminergic systems, and increase BDNF expression. Tuftsin-derived immunomodulatory effects include modulation of IL-6 and related cytokines.

Research Summary

Selank's clinical evidence base is almost entirely Russian. Zozulia et al. (2008, Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova; PMID 18454096) compared selank to medazepam in 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, reporting comparable anxiolytic efficacy plus antiasthenic/psychostimulant effects, together with changes in serum enkephalin-degrading enzyme activity. Mechanistic work includes Inozemtseva et al. (2008, Dokl Biol Sci; PMID 18841804) showing intranasal Selank increases hippocampal BDNF mRNA and protein in rats, Volkova et al. (2016, Front Pharmacol; PMID 26924987) demonstrating modulation of GABAergic gene expression, and Vyunova et al. (2018, Protein Pept Lett; PMID 30255741) proposing a positive allosteric GABA-A mechanism. No US or EU regulatory clinical trials have been conducted; safety data outside Russia is limited.

Vendors selling Selank

Scored vendors carrying Selank, ranked by trust grade. Grades are computed from indexed Certificates of Analysis. Full $/mg pricing is on the comparison page.

Prescribers who offer Selank

78 prescribers in our directory work with Selank, each confirmed from their own website. Peptides like Selank require a prescription from a licensed provider — telehealth options are available.

Reported Side Effects

• Mild nasal irritation (intranasal)
• Headache (uncommon)
• Mild dizziness (uncommon)
• Minimal adverse effects reported in Russian clinical use

Biomarkers researchers track for Selank

These biomarkers appear in the research literature as measures of response and safety for this compound.

Related Peptides

Compare Selank with Others

Research References

• Zozulia AA, et al. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008. PMID: 18454096.
• Inozemtseva LS, et al. Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo. Dokl Biol Sci. 2008;421:241-243. PMID: 18841804.
• Volkova A, et al. Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:31. PMID: 26924987.
• Vyunova TV, et al. Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity. Protein Pept Lett. 2018. PMID: 30255741.

Frequently asked questions

Has Selank been independently lab-tested?

Disclosed Labs has collected 85 Certificates of Analysis (COA) for Selank from 17 independent testing labs. 35 vendors have submitted material for testing. Products average 99.7% tested purity across the corpus. Full testing data is available at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/selank/testing.

What is the average purity of Selank on the market?

Based on 85 COAs analyzed by Disclosed Labs, Selank products average 99.7% (±0.4%) tested purity. Individual vendor results vary; see per-vendor COA data at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/selank/coas.

Which labs have tested Selank?

Independent labs that have tested Selank include: ILS Labs (Grade A), Ethos Analytics (Grade B). Full lab credibility grades and profiles are at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/labs.

Where can researchers source Selank?

8 vendors with Disclosed Labs trust grades currently list Selank, including Crush Research, Sunrise Bioresearch, Synthesis Peptides. Compare live prices and lab-verified COAs at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prices/selank.

Which prescribers offer Selank with a prescription?

78 prescribers in the Disclosed Labs directory work with Selank, each confirmed from their own website, with telehealth options available. Selank requires a prescription from a licensed provider. Browse them at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prescribers?peptide=Selank.

How does Selank work?

Selank is proposed to act as a positive allosteric modulator at GABA-A receptors, inhibit enkephalin-degrading enzymes (prolonging endogenous opioid peptide signaling), modulate serotonergic and monoaminergic systems, and increase BDNF expression. Tuftsin-derived immunomodulatory effects include modulation of IL-6 and related cytokines.

What does the research say about Selank?

Selank's clinical evidence base is almost entirely Russian. Zozulia et al. (2008, Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova; PMID 18454096) compared selank to medazepam in 62 patients with generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, reporting comparable anxiolytic efficacy plus antiasthenic/psychostimulant effects, together with changes in serum enkephalin-degrading enzyme activity. Mechanistic work includes Inozemtseva et al. (2008, Dokl Biol Sci; PMID 18841804) showing intranasal Selank increases hippocampal BDNF mRNA and protein in rats, Volkova et al. (2016, Front Pharmacol; PMID 26924987) demonstrating modulation of GABAergic gene expression, and Vyunova et al. (2018, Protein Pept Lett; PMID 30255741) proposing a positive allosteric GABA-A mechanism. No US or EU regulatory clinical trials have been conducted; safety data outside Russia is limited.