Semax

Not to be confused with semaxanib.
Semax
Clinical data
Trade namesSemax
Other namesL-Methionyl-L-α-glutamylhistidyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-prolylglycyl-L-proline, (Pro8,Gly9,Pro10)ACTH-(4-10)
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • US: Not FDA approved; unscheduled
Identifiers
  • (2S)-1-[2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-{[2-{[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-amino-4-methylsulfanylbutanoyl]amino}-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino}acetyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC37H51N9O10S
Molar mass813.93 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • O=C(N[C@@H](CCC(O)=O)C(N[C@@H](CC1=CNC=N1)C(N[C@@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)C(N3[C@@H](CCC3)C(NCC(N4[C@@H](CCC4)C(O)=O)=O)=O)=O)=O)=O)[C@H](CCSC)N
  • InChI=1S/C37H51N9O10S/c1-57-16-13-24(38)32(50)42-25(11-12-31(48)49)33(51)43-26(18-23-19-39-21-41-23)34(52)44-27(17-22-7-3-2-4-8-22)36(54)46-15-5-9-28(46)35(53)40-20-30(47)45-14-6-10-29(45)37(55)56/h2-4,7-8,19,21,24-29H,5-6,9-18,20,38H2,1H3,(H,39,41)(H,40,53)(H,42,50)(H,43,51)(H,44,52)(H,48,49)(H,55,56)/t24-,25-,26?,27-,28-,29-/m0/s1
  • Key:AFEHBIGDWIGTEH-CXFOGXNKSA-N

Semax is a medication which is used in Russia and Eastern Europe for the treatment of a broad range of conditions like brain trauma but predominantly for its claimed nootropic, neuroprotective, and neurorestorative effects.[1]

The mechanism of action of Semax is unknown.[2][3] It might interact with certain melanocortin receptors or inhibit enkephalinase enzymes.[2][3] Chemically, Semax is a peptide and a synthetic analogue of a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).[4][5]

Semax was first described by 1991.[5] Although used as a prescription drug in Russia and Eastern Europe, Semax has not been evaluated, approved for use, or marketed in most other countries.[6][7] The drug is widely sold by online vendors and used as a purported nootropic (cognitive enhancer).[1][8]

  1. ^ a b Voronina TA (2023). "Cognitive Impairment and Nootropic Drugs: Mechanism of Action and Spectrum of Effects". Neurochemical Journal. 17 (2): 180–188. doi:10.1134/S1819712423020198. ISSN 1819-7124.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference pmid22293371 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference pmid11443939 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference DeiginPoluektovaBeniashvili2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference PotamanAlfeevaKamensky1991 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Home". AdisInsight. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference PubMedSearch2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Jędrejko K, Catlin O, Stewart T, Anderson A, Muszyńska B, Catlin DH (August 2023). "Unauthorized ingredients in "nootropic" dietary supplements: A review of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, international regulations, and potential as doping agents". Drug Testing and Analysis. 15 (8). Wiley: 803–839. doi:10.1002/dta.3529. PMID 37357012.