Encyclopedia

Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide analog of the immunomodulatory peptide tuftsin, developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is studied as an anxiolytic that reduces anxiety without the sedation associated with benzodiazepines, and it also has immune-modulating activity. It is used clinically in Russia but is not FDA-approved.

Selank has the sequence Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro (TKPRPGP), built by extending the tuftsin fragment with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide for enzymatic stability. Preclinical research suggests it modulates GABA-A receptor activity, influences serotonin metabolism, alters monoamine neurotransmitter concentrations, modulates IL-6 and T-helper cytokine balance, and can elevate hippocampal BDNF in rats. It is studied primarily as an anxiolytic and immunomodulator. In the U.S. it is sold as a research chemical (often as the N-acetyl amidated derivative) and is not FDA-approved.

Mechanism of Action

Proposed anxiolytic action via modulation of GABA-A receptor activity and serotonin metabolism, without benzodiazepine-type sedation. As a tuftsin analog it has immunomodulatory effects, including modulation of IL-6 and T-helper cytokine balance. Also reported to elevate hippocampal BDNF.