
Selank (TP-7)
Selected option price: $59.95
What Is Selank?
Selank (TP-7) is a synthetic heptapeptide with the amino acid sequence
Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was developed as a structural analog of tuftsin, an endogenous immunomodulatory peptide fragment derived from immunoglobulin G (IgG).
Definition — Tuftsin:
Tuftsin is a naturally occurring tetrapeptide (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg) involved in immune signaling and macrophage activation.
Selank was designed to preserve certain immunomodulatory properties of tuftsin while expanding its potential applications into central nervous system (CNS) research, particularly in areas involving stress adaptation and anxiety-related pathways.
Clinical evaluation in anxiety-spectrum disorders:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096/
Immunomodulatory findings in anxiety-asthenic disorders:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577961/
Mechanism of Action (Research-Based Understanding)
Selank’s mechanisms remain under active scientific investigation. Current literature suggests its activity spans multiple interconnected systems, particularly those involving neurotransmission and immune regulation.
GABAergic Neurotransmission Modulation
Definition — GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid):
GABA is the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It reduces neuronal excitability and plays a central role in calming neural circuits involved in stress and anxiety responses.
Research in healthy volunteers has shown Selank administration influences the expression of genes associated with neurotransmission, including pathways connected to GABA signaling.
Gene-expression study in healthy subjects:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26924987/
Mechanistic gene-expression analysis (full text):
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4757669/
Layman’s explanation:
GABA acts like the brain’s natural “calming brake.” Research suggests Selank may influence how this braking system communicates, without acting as a traditional sedative drug.
Brain Connectivity & Emotional Regulation Networks
Functional MRI research has examined Selank’s influence on resting-state functional connectivity between stress-related brain regions.
These include:
- Amygdala — central to fear and threat processing
- Prefrontal cortex — involved in emotional regulation and executive control
Resting-state functional connectivity study in healthy participants:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32342318/
Definition — Resting-State Functional Connectivity:
A neuroimaging method measuring how brain regions synchronize activity when not performing a task.
Layman’s explanation:
Researchers study whether Selank changes how emotional processing centers and decision-making regions communicate during rest.
Neuroimmune & Cytokine Modulation
Definition — Cytokines:
Cytokines are immune signaling molecules that regulate inflammation and immune balance.
Clinical research in anxiety-asthenic populations demonstrated Selank-associated shifts in cytokine profiles, including changes in Th1/Th2 balance.
Clinical cytokine modulation study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577961/
Preclinical cytokine modulation under stress conditions:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32621722/
Layman’s explanation:
Stress affects both the brain and immune system. Research suggests Selank may influence immune messengers that become imbalanced during stress.
Human Clinical Research
Selank has been evaluated in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia.
In a comparative clinical study versus medazepam, Selank administration was associated with:
- Reduction in anxiety scores
- Improvement in fatigue/asthenic symptoms
- Absence of pronounced sedative or dependence-related markers
Clinical comparison study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096/
Important research context:
While published and indexed in PubMed, most clinical studies were conducted within Russian research programs. Large-scale multi-center Western registration trials have not been completed.
Preclinical Research
Animal models have investigated Selank in:
- Chronic stress paradigms
- Anxiety-related behavioral assessments
- Combination evaluation with benzodiazepines
- Immune signaling changes under stress
Rodent stress model study:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5322660/
Cytokine alterations in stress models:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32621722/
These findings support ongoing translational investigation into neuroimmune signaling pathways.
Safety & Tolerability in Published Literature
Published clinical reports describe Selank as well tolerated within study parameters.
However:
- Sample sizes were modest
- Long-term safety characterization remains limited
- Regulatory approval outside certain regions has not been granted
Clinical safety reference:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096/
FDA bulk substance nomination reference (not approval):
https://www.fda.gov/media/94155/download
Potential Research Applications
Selank is utilized in research exploring:
- Stress-adaptation signaling
- Non-sedating anxiolytic pathway modeling
- Neuroimmune interaction studies
- Gene-expression profiling
- CNS functional connectivity biomarkers
- Comparative pharmacology research
All applications are strictly for controlled laboratory research.
Layman’s Summary
Selank is a laboratory peptide studied for how it may influence the brain’s natural calming systems and the immune response to stress. Research suggests it may affect how certain brain regions communicate and how immune signals shift during stress. While human studies exist, Selank remains an experimental research compound and is not an FDA-approved medication.
Additional Scientific Research Information
Zozulia AA et al. (2008) – Selank in generalized anxiety disorders
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18454096/
Seredenin SB et al. (2014) – Selank vs phenazepam comparison
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25176261/
Seredenin SB et al. (2015) – Optimization of anxiety disorder treatment with Selank
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26356395/
Uchakina ON et al. (2008) – Immunomodulatory effects of Selank
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577961/
Volkova A et al. (2016) – Selank and GABAergic gene expression
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4757669/
Kasian A et al. (2017) – Selank enhances diazepam effects in stress model
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5322660/
Bakhmet AA et al. (2020) – Functional connectomics of Selank and Semax
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32342318/
Wikipedia – Selank overview (general reference)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selank?
Research-Use Compliance Statement
- For research and laboratory use only
- Not for human or veterinary consumption
- Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
- Mechanisms described are based on published research and remain under investigation
No additional information available.