Semax — ACTH-Derived Nootropic & Neuroprotective Research Heptapeptide | Klene Peptides

For Research Use Only | Not for Human or Veterinary Administration

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from the 4–10 amino acid fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. Developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences and registered as a pharmaceutical in Russia for ischemic stroke, optic nerve damage, and cognitive disorders, Semax retains the cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective properties attributed to ACTH(4-10) while eliminating the HPA axis steroidogenic activity of the full ACTH sequence. Its most significant research mechanisms — robust and sustained upregulation of BDNF and NGF, dopaminergic modulation, melanocortin receptor interaction, and vascular neuroprotection — have positioned it as one of the most studied CNS research peptides in cognitive enhancement, ischemic neuroprotection, and neurological recovery. Klene Peptides supplies Semax to USA research institutions with verified purity and same-day fulfillment.

Every vial from Klene Peptides includes:

Chemical Identity & Structural Profile

Parameter	Value
Full Name	Semax
Sequence	Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
Parent Molecule	ACTH(4-10) fragment
Molecular Formula	C₃₇H₅₁N₉O₁₀S
Molecular Weight	~813.9 g/mol
CAS Number	80714-61-0
Origin	Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences
Registration	Approved pharmaceutical in Russia (stroke, optic nerve disease, cognitive disorders)
Appearance	White lyophilized powder
Solubility	Water, 0.9% saline
Storage	Lyophilized: −20°C; Reconstituted: 4°C, use within 14 days
Primary Research Delivery	Intranasal, SC, IP

Mechanism of Action

Primary Neurochemical Mechanisms

Mechanism	Target	Research Implication
BDNF upregulation	Hippocampus, cortex, striatum	Neuroplasticity, learning/memory, neuroprotection
NGF upregulation	Basal forebrain, peripheral nervous system	Cholinergic neuron support; neurodegenerative models
Melanocortin receptor agonism (MC4R, MC5R)	CNS-expressed MCRs	Cognitive, motivational, and behavioral modulation
Dopamine release enhancement	Prefrontal cortex, striatum	Attention, motivation, executive function research
Serotonergic modulation	Raphe nuclei projection targets	Mood and anxiety research
VEGF upregulation	CNS vasculature	Neuroprotective angiogenesis in ischemia models
Oxidative stress reduction	Mitochondrial ROS; catalase/SOD upregulation	Neuronal survival under metabolic stress
NO regulation	eNOS; cerebrovascular tone	Cerebral blood flow and ischemia protection research

Key Distinction from Full ACTH

Parameter	ACTH (full 39aa)	Semax (ACTH 4-10 derived)
Cortisol elevation	Major effect	None — complete HPA axis neutrality
Nootropic activity	Present in 4-10 fragment	Retained and enhanced
Neuroprotective activity	Partial	Significantly enhanced
Adrenocortical activation	Yes	No
Dependence risk	HPA suppression risk	None observed in research

Pharmacokinetic & ADME Profile

Parameter	Value	Notes
Molecular Weight	~813.9 g/mol	CNS penetration confirmed
BBB Penetration	Yes (demonstrated)	BDNF elevation in brain confirms active CNS penetration
Routes (Research)	SC, IP, intranasal	Intranasal enables direct olfactory-to-CNS delivery
Plasma Half-Life	~5–7 minutes	Rapid plasma clearance; CNS effects persist via BDNF expression
Bioavailability (intranasal)	Moderate	Olfactory pathway to CNS; olfactory nerve transport
Metabolism	Endopeptidase, aminopeptidase	Pro-Gly-Pro C-terminal resists carboxypeptidase degradation
Excretion	Renal	Metabolite clearance

Research Applications

Ischemic Stroke & Cerebrovascular Research

Semax has been studied most extensively in stroke and ischemia, where it is approved in Russia:

Model / Parameter	Observed Effect
MCAO rodent model (ischemia-reperfusion)	Reduced infarct volume; improved neurological deficit scoring
BDNF elevation post-ischemia	2–7× increase in peri-infarct penumbra zone
Inflammatory cytokine reduction	IL-1β, TNF-α suppression post-ischemia
Cerebral blood flow	VEGF-mediated microvascular improvement
Neurological deficit scores	Statistically significant improvement vs. vehicle

Cognitive Enhancement & Nootropic Research

Parameter	Research Finding
Spatial learning (Morris water maze)	Significant improvement in latency to platform
Passive avoidance retention	Enhanced memory consolidation parameters
Attention and working memory	Improvement in human cognitive battery assessments (Russian clinical data)
BDNF/NGF sustained elevation	24+ hours post-administration; neuroplasticity basis

Neuroprotection & Neurodegeneration Research

Disease Model	Research Application
Alzheimer’s-like models	NGF support for cholinergic neurons; BDNF-driven neuroplasticity
Parkinson’s-like models	Dopaminergic protection; oxidative stress reduction
Optic nerve damage	Registered therapeutic use in Russia; retinal ganglion cell protection
Traumatic brain injury	Reduced secondary neuronal death in preclinical models

ADHD & Attention Research

Research Dosing Reference

For scientific reference only — not prescriptive recommendations

Research Model	Reported Dose	Route	Duration
Ischemia/stroke (rodent)	50–250 mcg/kg	SC, IP, intranasal	3–14 days post-event
Cognitive enhancement	50–100 mcg/kg	SC, intranasal	5–14 days
Neuroprotection	100–250 mcg/kg	SC, IP	Acute/subacute
In vitro assays	0.01–10 µM	Cell culture media	Per experiment
Clinical reference (intranasal)	200–600 mcg (flat dose)	Intranasal	Per approved protocol

Data from Russian clinical trial publications and PMC-indexed preclinical research.

Reconstitution Reference

Lyophilized Amount	Sterile/Bacteriostatic Water	Concentration
5 mg	2.5 mL	2.0 mg/mL
10 mg	5.0 mL	2.0 mg/mL

Klene Peptides Quality Standards

Certificate of Analysis — Standard Parameters

Every batch supplied by Klene Peptides is verified against the following analytical benchmarks:

Test	Specification	Method
Purity	≥99%	HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)
Molecular Identification	Confirmed	HPLC-MS (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry)
Water Content	<1.5%	—

What Every Klene Peptides Order Includes

Ordering Semax for Your Research Program

Important Research Compliance Notice

All products sold by Klene Peptides are strictly for in vitro research and laboratory investigation purposes only. Semax supplied by KlenePeptides.net has not been evaluated by the FDA for human safety or efficacy. It is not approved for human or veterinary administration in the United States. Purchase, possession, and use must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This content is intended for licensed researchers and qualified scientific personnel only.

Scientific References

Myasoedov NF, et al. "Semax: a nootropic peptide drug." Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1999;62(5):74-78.
Dolotov OV, et al. "Semax, an analogue of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus." Brain Res. 2006;1117(1):54-60.
Grivennikov IA, et al. "Semax: neurotrophic and anti-ischemic brain protection effects." Mol Biol. 2008.
Kolomin T, et al. "Semax regulates gene expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex." PLoS One. 2013.
Shram NF, et al. "Neuroprotection by Semax in transient focal cerebral ischemia." Ross Fiziol Zh Im I M Sechenova. 2007.
Agapova TY, et al. "Semax effect on BDNF and NGF expression in rat brain." Dokl Biol Sci. 2007.
PubChem. Semax. CID: 122070. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov