NO. 011 · BASIC · Lv. 55 · HP 85
SELANK
Russian-Origin Tuftsin Analog · Anxiolytic-Path
ALIASES
Selank, TKPRPGP, tuftsin-PGP analog
CLASS
Synthetic heptapeptide · tuftsin derivative
FORMULA
C33H57N11O9
SEQUENCE
Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
HALF-LIFE
Short (minutes) plasma; intranasal retention longer
ROUTES
Intranasal (registered Russian protocol) · Subcutaneous (research)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Synthetic heptapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro derived from tuftsin. Russian Academy of Sciences. Studied for GABAergic-pathway signaling and HPA-axis modulation.
EVIDENCE GRADES
Kozlovskaya et al. multi-paper rodent EPM and conditioned-suppression data. Russian-language primary literature; subset Western-indexed.
Inozemtseva 2008 reported transient BDNF mRNA elevation. Limited replication outside Russian Academy of Sciences.
Russian clinical literature describes small open-label trials at 0.15% intranasal solution. No FDA or EMA Phase 3 trials.
MECHANISM CATEGORIES
RESEARCH CONDITIONS
SAFETY
Side effects
- Mild nasal irritation (intranasal route)
- Headache reported
- Limited Western safety data
Drug interactions
- GABAergic medications (theoretical · unstudied combination)
Contraindications
- Pregnancy/lactation (unstudied in Western literature)
REGULATORY STATUS
FDA · Not FDA-approved. Research-use only in the United States.
WADA · Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List (2026).
STORAGE
Lyophilized · 4 °C 12+ months
Reconstituted · 2–8 °C, 28 days
PEER-REVIEWED EVIDENCE
- Kozlovskaya MM, Kozlovskii II, Val'dman EA, Seredenin SB. Selank and short peptides of the tuftsin family in the regulation of adaptive behavior in stress. Neurosci Behav Physiol 2003. link →
- Vyunova TV, Andreeva LA, Shevchenko KV, Myasoedov NF. Synthetic Peptides as Promising Anxiolytics of New Generation: Experimental and Clinical Justification. Acta Naturae 2018. link →
FAQ · 10 QUESTIONS
▶ What is Selank?
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences from the natural immunomodulator tuftsin. The C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension stabilizes the peptide against rapid plasma proteolysis.
▶ Is Selank FDA-approved?
No. Selank is research-use only in the United States. It is registered as a research and anxiolytic compound within the Russian Federation under a domestic pharmaceutical authority.
▶ Selank vs Semax — what's the difference?
Both are Russian-developed heptapeptides built on the same C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilizing strategy. Selank is derived from tuftsin (immunomodulatory parent). Semax is derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment (neurotropic parent). Different mechanisms: Selank is studied for GABAergic anxiolytic pathways, Semax for BDNF-mediated cognitive pathways.
▶ How does Selank work?
Proposed mechanisms include modulation of GABA-A receptor expression and binding affinity in cortical and hippocampal tissue, increased serotonin (5-HT) turnover in rodent brain, and BDNF mRNA upregulation in selected forebrain regions. Selank also inherits some immunomodulatory activity from its tuftsin parent (macrophage and NK-cell activation).
▶ Is Selank banned in sports?
Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List as of 2026.
▶ How is Selank administered in Russian clinical practice?
The Russian-approved formulation is a 0.15% intranasal solution. Clinical literature describes 2–3 drops per nostril, 2–3 times per day. This wiki does not recommend any human dose.
▶ What is tuftsin?
Tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) is a natural tetrapeptide isolated in 1970 by Najjar and Nishioka at Tufts University from the heavy chain of immunoglobulin G (residues 289–292 of the Fc fragment). It stimulates phagocytosis, NK cell activity, and macrophage-mediated immune response. Selank's C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension stabilizes the parent tetrapeptide.
▶ Side effects of Selank?
Limited Western safety data. Russian literature describes mild nasal irritation and rare headache at standard intranasal doses.
▶ Is there Western peer-reviewed Selank literature?
Subset of the Russian-language preclinical work is indexed in Western journals. Vyunova TV et al. (Acta Naturae 2018) is a representative review accessible via PubMed.
▶ How does Selank compare to benzodiazepines?
Russian preclinical literature describes anxiolytic activity in rodent elevated-plus-maze and conditioned-suppression paradigms, with potency comparable to short-acting benzodiazepines at the doses tested. Without GABA-A direct binding, Selank theoretically lacks the dependence and withdrawal profile of benzodiazepines — though this is not validated by Western RCT.
APPEARS IN STACKS
SIGNATURE MOVES
Opponent cannot attack next turn. Calms autonomic response.
Discard 1 of opponent's Energy. Cortisol drop.
SOURCED FROM PEPPU LABS
Reference compounds documented on this page are available as research-grade material at Peppu Studio · ≥99% purity · per-batch Certificate of Analysis. For laboratory research use only. No human dose is recommended by this wiki.
▶ LAST UPDATED · 2026-05-19