Chemistry:Selank

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Short description: Chemical compound
Selank
Selank.png
Clinical data
Other namesSelanc; 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
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC33H57N11O9
Molar mass751.887 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
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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.

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, as it has no sedating or negative cognitive side effects and no associated addiction or withdrawal problems.

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

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "[Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders]". Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni S.S. Korsakova 108 (5): 71–75. 2008. PMID 18577961. 
  2. "[Effects of heptapeptide selank on the content of monoamines and their metabolites in the brain of BALB/C and C57Bl/6 mice: a comparative study]". Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia 71 (5): 8–12. 2008. PMID 19093364. 
  3. "[Experimental optimization of learning and memory processes by selank]". Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia 73 (8): 2–5. August 2010. PMID 20919548. 
  4. "[Comparison of the effects of selank and tuftsin on the metabolism of serotonin in the brain of rats pretreated with PCPA]". Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia 72 (4): 6–8. 2009. PMID 19803361. 
  5. "Intranasal administration of the peptide Selank regulates BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus in vivo". Doklady Biological Sciences 421: 241–243. 2008. doi:10.1134/s0012496608040066. PMID 18841804. 
  6. "Semax and selank inhibit the enkephalin-degrading enzymes from human serum" (in ru). Bioorganicheskaia Khimiia 27 (3): 180–183. 2001. doi:10.1023/A:1011373002885. PMID 11443939. 
  7. "[Effect of selank on the main carboxypeptidases in the rat nervous tissue]" (in ru). Zhurnal Evoliutsionnoi Biokhimii I Fiziologii 48 (3): 254–257. 2012. PMID 22827026. 
  8. "[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]" (in ru). Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deiatelnosti Imeni I P Pavlova 58 (2): 226–237. 2008. PMID 18661785. 
  9. "СЕМАКС: лекарственное средство широкого спектра действия эффективный стимулятор нервной системы" (in ru). Institute of Molecular Genetics. Moscow. http://www.img.ras.ru/innov/. 

External links