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Semax (SMX-10): Research Overview of a Neuroprotective Heptapeptide

A research overview of the ACTH(4-10) analog Semax, its proposed BDNF-linked mechanism, and the neuroprotective, cognitive, and clinical stroke research domains it has been studied in.

SMX-10
All content on this page is for laboratory and academic reference only. This compound is supplied under a Research Use Only framework for in vitro and preclinical investigation by qualified personnel. Nothing on this page is clinical guidance, and it should not be interpreted as instructions for use in humans or animals.

Key Takeaways

  • Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) derived from the ACTH(4-7) fragment with an added tripeptide for enzymatic stability.[1]
  • Rodent research reports Semax administration increasing hippocampal BDNF protein and mRNA levels alongside trkB receptor phosphorylation.[1]
  • A separate in vivo study reported BDNF expression increases across multiple rat brain regions following Semax administration, not limited to the hippocampus.[2]
  • A clinical study in ischemic stroke patients reported Semax was associated with increased plasma BDNF levels alongside measures of neurological function recovery.[3]
  • A human resting-state fMRI study examined functional brain connectivity changes following Semax and Selank administration in healthy subjects.[4]

What It Is

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, developed as an analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, modified with an added Pro-Gly-Pro sequence intended to improve enzymatic stability. It was developed within a Russian neuropharmacology research program and has since been studied primarily for neuroprotective and cognitive research applications, distinct from ACTH's classical hormonal role.[1]

Mechanism & Pathway

The mechanism most associated with Semax in the literature involves BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a protein that supports neuron survival and growth. In rat hippocampus research models, a single Semax application was reported to increase BDNF protein levels, increase trkB receptor tyrosine phosphorylation, and raise BDNF and trkB mRNA expression — with researchers proposing that Semax affects cognitive brain functions by modulating this hippocampal BDNF/trkB signaling system.[1] A separate in vivo study extended this finding, reporting BDNF expression increases across multiple rat brain regions beyond the hippocampus following Semax administration.[2]

Research Domains

  • Neurotrophic signaling research — rodent hippocampus studies report Semax increasing BDNF protein/mRNA and trkB receptor phosphorylation.[1]
  • Regional brain expression research — an in vivo study reported BDNF expression changes across multiple rat brain regions following Semax administration.[2]
  • Clinical stroke recovery research — a clinical study in patients at different stages of ischemic stroke reported Semax use was associated with increased plasma BDNF and measures of neurological function recovery.[3]
  • Human neuroimaging research — a resting-state fMRI study in healthy human subjects examined functional brain connectivity changes following Semax and Selank administration.[4]

Comparative Notes

Semax is frequently discussed alongside Selank, another ACTH-derived heptapeptide from the same Russian neuropharmacology research lineage, and the two have been studied together in human neuroimaging research.[4] Semax's literature skews toward BDNF-linked neuroprotective and cognitive-recovery research, while Selank is more often discussed in anxiolytic and cognitive-modulation research contexts — see the SLK-10 product page for the related compound.

SMX-10 product page →

Certificate of Analysis: What to Look For

A Certificate of Analysis for an SMX-10 research vial should report, at minimum: confirmed amino acid sequence (typically via mass spectrometry) and net peptide content. Vials should be stored lyophilized at -20°C, protected from light, consistent with handling guidance for the other lyophilized peptides in this catalog.

References

  1. Dolotov OV, Karpenko EA, Inozemtseva LS, Seredenina TS, Levitskaya NG, Rozyczka J, Dubynina EV, Novosadova EV, Andreeva LA, Alfeeva LYu, Kamensky AA, Grivennikov IA, Myasoedov NF, Engele J (2006). Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Research. PMID: 16996037
  2. Dolotov OV, Seredenina TS, Levitskaya NG, Kamensky AA, Andreeva LA, Alfeeva LYu, Nagaev IYu, Zolotarev YuA, Grivennikov IA, Engele J, Myasoedov NF (2003). The heptapeptide SEMAX stimulates BDNF expression in different areas of the rat brain in vivo. Doklady Biological Sciences. PMID: 14556513
  3. Gusev EI, Martynov MYu, Kostenko EV, Petrova LV, Bobyreva SN (2018). The efficacy of semax in the treatment of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke. Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova. PMID: 29798983
  4. Panikratova YaR, Lebedeva IS, Sokolov OYu, Rumshiskaya AD, Kupriyanov DA, Kost NV, Myasoedov NF (2020). Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects. Doklady Biological Sciences. PMID: 32342318

FAQ

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone, modified for enzymatic stability.[1]

Research centers on BDNF/trkB signaling — rodent studies report Semax increasing hippocampal BDNF protein/mRNA and trkB receptor phosphorylation.[1]

Yes. A clinical study in ischemic stroke patients reported associations between Semax use, increased plasma BDNF, and neurological function recovery measures.[3]

The two are related ACTH-derived heptapeptides from the same research lineage, and have been jointly studied in human neuroimaging research, though their literature emphasizes different research domains (neuroprotective/cognitive-recovery for Semax, anxiolytic/cognitive-modulation for Selank).[4]

A COA for an SMX-10 research vial should report confirmed amino acid sequence and net peptide content, consistent with the documentation standard used across this catalog.

No. SMX-10 is supplied strictly under a Research Use Only framework for laboratory and preclinical investigation, and none of the studies referenced here involve clinical administration guidance outside their own regulated trial protocols.

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