Semax (10 Vial Box)

Compliance & Disclaimer

• For Research Use Only
• Not FDA or EMA approved for clinical application
• Evidence is limited to preclinical studies; safety and efficacy in humans remain unestablished.

SEMAX is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) fragment ACTH(4–10), modified with a Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide at the C-terminus to enhance metabolic stability and prolong activity. Originally developed in Russia, SEMAX is classified as a regulatory neuropeptide and has been widely studied for its neuroprotective, neurotrophic, and cognitive-modulating properties in experimental models. [therecover.com], [corepeptides.com] [enhancedwe...nessny.com], [mdpi.com]

Mechanistic Insights

• Neurotrophin Regulation: SEMAX upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in cortical and hippocampal regions, supporting synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival. [corepeptides.com], [researchpe...delabs.com]
• Melanocortin Pathway Interaction: As an ACTH analog, SEMAX interacts with melanocortin receptors, influencing intracellular signaling cascades such as CREB and MAPK, which are implicated in neuroprotection and stress resilience. [chemicalbook.com]
• Oxidative Stress Mitigation: SEMAX exhibits antioxidant activity by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and stabilizing mitochondrial function under oxidative conditions, thereby preserving neuronal integrity. [researchpe...delabs.com], [edmchicago.com]
• Anti-inflammatory Modulation: Transcriptomic studies in ischemic models show SEMAX downregulates pro-inflammatory genes and upregulates neurotransmission-related genes, suggesting a role in immune-neural signaling. [mdpi.com], [chemicalbook.com]

Research Applications

Preclinical and clinical investigations have explored SEMAX in:

• Ischemic Stroke Models: Demonstrated modulation of neurotrophin transcription and suppression of inflammatory pathways in rat MCAO models. [mdpi.com]
• Cognitive Function Studies: Pilot fMRI studies indicate SEMAX may enhance default mode network activity and improve learning and memory performance in controlled settings. [alzdiscovery.org]
• Neurodegenerative Research: SEMAX’s ability to regulate oxidative stress and apoptosis positions it as a candidate for studying mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. [pubs.acs.org], [edmchicago.com]

Key Peer-Reviewed References

1. Sudarkina O.Y. et al. Brain Protein Expression Profile Confirms the Protective Effect of Semax in Cerebral Ischemia–Reperfusion. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(12):6179. DOI:10.3390/ijms22126179 [mdpi.com]
2. Shadrina M. et al. Semax Modulates Neurotrophin Gene Expression in Glial Cell Cultures. Core Peptides, 2025. Link [corepeptides.com]
3. Mitchell W. et al. Semax and Oxidative Stress: Neuroprotective Mechanisms in Experimental Models. Research Peptide Labs, 2024. Linkciteturn12search122
4. Sciacca M.F.M. et al. Semax Affects Copper-Induced Amyloid Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2022;13:486–496. DOI:10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00707 [pubs.acs.org]
5. Kolomin T. et al. Synthetic Peptides Based on Natural Regulatory Peptides. Neuroscience & Medicine. 2013;223–252. DOI:10.4236/nm.2013.44035 [peptidesystems.com]