Semax: A Breakdown Of The Research

Written by Johnathon Anderson, Ph.D., a research scientist, and Associate Professor at the University of California Davis School of Medicine 

What is Semax?

Semax peptide is a unique fragment derived from adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), specifically from its 4-7 segment. (1) ACTH is secreted by corticotroph cells in the pituitary gland. It’s secreted in several intermittent pulses throughout the day into the bloodstream.

Does Semax Research Indicate Regulation of Neurotransmitters?

A study revealed that Semax stimulates the release of BDNF. (2) BDNF promotes the growth of neuronal cells.

Semax Research

In one study, Semax induced signaling pathways and significantly reduced ambulatory signals of distress. (3) In a study involving cerebral hypoxia, Semax induced general cerebral function and motor alterations. (5) (6)

Semax and Other Brain Research

In an fMRI study, Semax was found to augment the default mode network (DMN) (7) (8) By enhancing the DMN, Semax may help improve both reflective adaptations and social awareness, potentially creating a more attuned and cognitively agile cerebral tissues.

In a rodent study, NGF gene expression in the hippocampus increased with Semax exposure. (9) A large body of research demonstrates that NGF noticeably promotes axonal regeneration and increases electrophysiological parameters in the central nervous systems and recovery following peripheral nerve injury.

References

1. Kolomin, T et al. “A New Generation of Drugs: Synthetic Peptides based on Natural Regulatory peptides” Neuroscience & Medicine, 2013, 223-252. Published Online December 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/nm.2013.44035

2. Medvedeva, EV et al. “The peptide Semax affects the expression of genes related to the immune and vascular systems in rat brain focal ischemia: genome-wide transcriptional analysis.” BMC Genomics 15, 228 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-15-228

3. Nataliya YU, et al. “Semax, synthetic ACTH(4–10) analogue, attenuates behavioral and neurochemical alterations following early-life fluvoxamine exposure in white rats” Neuropeptides, Volume 86, 2021, 102114, ISSN 0143-4179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.npep.2020.102114

4. Volodina MA, et al. “Semax attenuates the influence of neonatal maternal deprivation on the behavior of adolescent white rats.” Bull Exp Biol Med. 2012 Mar;152(5):560-3 PMID: 22803132. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22803132/

5. Gusev EI, et al. “Effectiveness of semax in acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke (a clinical and electrophysiological study”. 1997;97(6):26-34. PMID: 11517472. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11517472/

6. Asmarin IP, el at. A nootropic adrenocorticotropin analog 4-10-semax. 1997 Mar-Apr;47(2):420-30. PMID: 9173745 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9173745/

7. Lebedeva, IS et al. “Effects of Semax on the Default Mode Network of the Brain” Bull Exp Biol Med 2018 Sep;165(5):653-656, PMID: 30225715 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10517-018-4234-3

8. Mars, RB et al. “On the relationship between the “default mode network” and the “social brain” Front Hum Neurosci. 2012; 6:189 PMID: 22737119 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00189/full

9. Agapova, TI, et al. “Effect of semax on the temporary dynamics of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor gene expression in the rat hippocampus and frontal cortex” Mol Gen Mikrobiol Virusol 2008:(3):28-32 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18756821/

10. Ivanov, AV, et al. “Influence of ACTG4-7-PGP (Semax) on Morphofunctional State of Hepatocytes in Chronic Emotional and Painful Stress” Bull Exp Biol Med 2017 May;163(1):105-108 PMID: 28577097 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10517-017-3748-4