Selank
A Russian synthetic heptapeptide derived from the immune molecule tuftsin, researched in Eastern Europe for anxiety and cognitive stability.
Selank: GABAergic Anxiolysis
Selank is a synthetic analogue of the immune peptide tuftsin. It allosterically modulates GABA-A receptors, calming central nervous system anxiety without sedation, motor weakness, or addiction.
GABA-A Allosteric Modulation
Fine-tunes the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter system to dampen generalized anxiety while preserving mental sharpness.
Western Regulatory Status
Approved on the Russian Essential Pharmaceuticals list, but unapproved by the US FDA and EMA. Sold online in the West as an unverified research chemical.
What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed by the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It combines the naturally occurring immune peptide tuftsin with a stabilizing tripeptide sequence.
Why are people interested in it?
Researched in Eastern European neurology as an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and nootropic agent that reduces anxiety and mental fatigue without causing sedation, muscle relaxation, or dependence.
Primary Research Categories
- Peptide fragments
- Preclinical research compounds
How does it work in the body?
Selank modulates GABAergic neurotransmission and stimulates BDNF expression in the brain.
Neurochemical Modulation
BDNF Neurotrophic Support & Neurotransmitter Balance
Neurotrophic Factor Expression
Upregulates Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA in hippocampal and cortical neurons, supporting neuroplasticity.
GABAergic & Monoamine Balance
Modulates inhibitory GABA receptors to alleviate anxiety and stress without hypnotic sedation or physical dependency.
GABAergic Modulation
Enhances inhibitory neurotransmission to dampen central nervous system anxiety.
BDNF Upregulation
Supports neuroplasticity and hippocampal resilience under stress.
What has actually been demonstrated in humans?
Approved in Russia as a pharmaceutical for generalized anxiety disorder. Clinical trials conducted in Russian medical centers demonstrated anxiolytic activity comparable to mild benzodiazepines without sedative side effects.
Comparative Anxiolytic Trial (Kost et al., 2008)
Duration: 14 days · Population: Patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorderPublished Finding: Reported comparable anti-anxiety effects to medazepam without muscle relaxation, drowsiness, or cognitive impairment.
Pharmaceutical Reality vs. Unregulated Research Chemicals
Selank is not approved by the US FDA or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). It is classified in the West as an unapproved research peptide.
What is still uncertain or unknown?
Clinical trials have been conducted predominantly in Russia. Western regulatory agencies have not reviewed or verified its safety, toxicity, or long-term cognitive outcomes.
Companion Resources & Guides
Research at a Glance
Open the full evidence file (2 records)2 records in this file
- REVIEW1
- REGULATORY1
Publication span: 2013–2026
What Has Actually Been Studied
- FDA table of bulk drug substances — Selank acetate (TP-7), nomination withdrawn (FDA compounding communications, 2026) — Regulatory listing.
- A new generation of drugs: synthetic peptides based on natural regulatory peptides (Neuroscience & Medicine, 2013) — Narrative review of the originating programme.
What is Still Unknown
What we know
- A tuftsin analogue (TKPRPGP) with a literature concentrated in the originating Russian programme.
- No US approved product. FDA withdrawn nomination cites missing safety information in the nomination.
- Not named on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List.
Editorial reading of the records below, labelled as Therapept analysis. How records are built
What remains uncertain
- Independent Western interventional trials.
- How much of the originating corpus would survive a systematic review with independent replication as an inclusion criterion.
Combinations and Stacks
- Selank + Semax
Two Russian-developed heptapeptides discussed together for cognition, anxiety and focus.
Preparation and Handling
Lyophilized peptides ship as freeze-dried powders; whatever happens next involves diluents, concentrations and storage conditions that are compound- and product-specific.
United States Regulatory Status
No FDA-approved product
- No approved drug product exists in Drugs@FDA.
- Listed as “Selank acetate (TP-7)” on FDA's table of bulk substances nominated for compounding and withdrawn by the nominator.
- FDA's published concerns include aggregation and immunogenicity risk, and state that the nomination lacked important information regarding safety issues.
- Not named on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List.
Technical Chemical SpecificationsClick to view CAS, sequence, and molecular formulas
- Molecular weight
- 751.9 g/mol
- Sequence length
- 7 chars
- CAS number
- 129954-34-3
- PubChem CID
- 11765600
- Compound class
- Synthetic heptapeptide; tuftsin analogue
- Sequence
- TKPRPGP
- Molecular formula
- C33H57N11O9
- Molecular weight
- 751.9 g/mol
- CAS number
- 129954-34-3
- PubChem CID
- 11765600
Sources
Last reviewed 3 September 2026 · Compiled by Therapept Editorial · How these records are built