Description
Selank is a synthetic peptide developed from tuftsin — a naturally occurring immune-regulating molecule — with modifications to improve its stability and allow it to act in the brain. It has been studied primarily in the context of anxiety, stress response, cognitive function, and immune modulation, and is notable for producing calming effects in animal models without the sedation or dependency risk associated with conventional anxiolytic drugs.
What the research has found
• In standard anxiety tests (elevated plus maze and open field), Selank produced significant anxiety-reducing effects comparable to benzodiazepine reference drugs, but without causing sedation or impairing movement — a meaningful distinction in preclinical research models (Semenova et al., 2010)
• Research showed Selank influences BDNF expression and enkephalin metabolism in the brain, connecting its anxiety-reducing effects to pathways also associated with mood regulation and memory — suggesting a broader neurobiological profile than a simple anxiolytic (Dolotov et al., 2006)
• Studies in stressed rodent models demonstrated that Selank normalised disrupted cytokine profiles — the immune system’s chemical messengers — and attenuated stress-related changes in immune cell populations, pointing to a neuroimmune regulatory mechanism that may link its CNS and immune effects (Kozlovskaya et al., 2014)
• Transcriptomic profiling revealed Selank simultaneously affects gene expression across serotonin, GABA, and neurotrophic pathways, suggesting it acts on multiple systems rather than a single receptor target (Kozlovskaya et al., 2014)
For research use only. Not intended for use in humans or animals.
References
Dolotov, O. V., et al. (2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16460711/
Kozlovskaya, M. M., et al. (2014). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24918541/
Semenova, T. P., et al. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20204991/
