What is Semax?

Overview

Semax is a synthetic analog of the ACTH(4–10) sequence — seven amino acids lifted from corticotropin but stripped of its hormonal activity. Developed by the Russian Academy of Sciences in the 1980s, it’s been on the Russian essential-medicines list for cognitive impairment and ischemic stroke since the early 2000s. The mechanism the literature keeps isolating: Semax dramatically upregulates BDNF expression — sometimes 5–6× baseline — within hours of administration. It also modulates dopamine and serotonin turnover in prefrontal cortex and inhibits enkephalinase, extending endogenous opioid signaling. IF the research endpoint involves neuroprotection, learning under stress, or cognitive recovery after ischemic insult, THEN Semax is the peptide with the densest clinical-level evidence outside the US FDA. SO it belongs in cognitive-performance and stroke-recovery research where BDNF is the biomarker of interest. Lyophilized, ≥99% purity, batch-traceable CoA.

Research areas

• BDNF & neuroprotection

  <p>Rapid upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampus and cortex within 30 minutes of administration. Neuroprotective in MCAO stroke models at 50–150 μg/kg intranasal dosing.</p>

• Cognitive performance

  <p>Russian clinical research reports improved attention, working memory, and cognitive endurance in both healthy volunteers and patients with discirculatory encephalopathy.</p>

• Neurotransmitter modulation

  <p>Alters dopamine and serotonin turnover in prefrontal regions; inhibits enkephalinase, prolonging endogenous enkephalin signaling.</p>

• Route of administration

  <p>Intranasal delivery is the most widely used route; bioavailability across nasal mucosa is the reason the clinical formulation is nasal drops. Subcutaneous administration is used in preclinical studies.</p>

Published research

• Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), is a…

  PMID 16996699 — PubMed

• The peptide semax affects the expression of genes related to…

  PMC3987924 — PMC

• The Potential of the Peptide Drug Semax and Its Derivative for…

  PMC12755871 — PMC

Storage & handling

Lyophilized Semaxis stored at –20 °C protected from light. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, store at 2–8 °C and use within 30 days for maximum stability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Semax?

Semax (SEMAX) is a research compound studied in the area of cognitive. Synthetic ACTH(4–10) fragment. Drives BDNF upregulation — studied for neuroprotection, stroke recovery, and cognitive performance under load.

What is the CAS number of Semax?

The CAS registry number of Semax is 80714-61-0.

How should Semax be stored?

Lyophilized Semax should be stored at –20 °C protected from light. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, store at 2–8 °C and use within 30 days for maximum stability.

How is the purity of Semax verified?

Every Woosh Labs batch of Semax is independently tested by third-party HPLC and mass spectrometry, with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis published verifying ≥99% purity.

Is Semax for human use?

No. Semax sold by Woosh Labs is strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified professionals. It is not for human or veterinary use of any kind.