Selank

Selank is a synthetic seven-residue peptide developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, in the 1990s. Its sequence is Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, derived from the immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin (residues 289–292 of the heavy chain of IgG) extended with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide that confers protease resistance.

Selank is approved in Russia for anxiety-related indications (commercial name Selank®). It is not MHRA-licensed in the UK. CAS 129954-34-3, molecular formula C₃₃H₅₇N₁₁O₉, molecular weight 751.88 g/mol.

Selank's mechanism is multimodal and not fully characterised. Reported effects include modulation of brain expression of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), serotonergic and GABAergic system effects, and changes in the expression of genes related to neuronal plasticity. The peptide is delivered intranasally in most clinical protocols and reaches the CNS via the olfactory pathway.

Investigated in clinical and preclinical studies of generalised anxiety disorder, attention/cognitive function, and stress response. The substantial Russian-language research literature on Selank is less accessible to Western researchers, and English-language replication is more limited.

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.