At a glance
Type
Heptapeptide nootropic (ACTH 4-10 analog)
Molecular weight
≈813.9 g/mol
Studied for
CognitionBDNF / NGFNeuroprotection
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide nootropic developed in Russia — an analog of the ACTH(4-10) fragment that keeps its brain effects but not the hormone’s steroid-stimulating action. It is studied for cognition, focus and neuroprotection, and is used clinically in Russia.
How Semax works
Semax is based on the ACTH(4-10) fragment but engineered to be stable and free of corticotropic (steroid) effects. It raises the neurotrophins BDNF and NGF and their receptor, and modulates dopamine and serotonin systems — driving survival and plasticity pathways in the brain. This is the basis for research into cognition, attention and stroke/neuroprotection.
What the research shows
- BDNF in the brain (Dolotov et al., 2006). Semax bound specifically in the basal forebrain and raised BDNF protein.
- Neurotrophin genes (Agapova et al., 2007). Semax induced rapid, region-specific changes in BDNF/NGF gene expression.
- Ischemic stroke (Gusev et al., 2018). In stroke patients, intranasal Semax raised plasma BDNF and improved recovery scores.
Candour: most human evidence comes from small, non-randomised Russian studies plus animal work; Semax is used clinically in Russia but lacks large international randomised trials. Use belongs under a physician’s guidance.
Molecular specification
| Type | Heptapeptide nootropic (ACTH 4-10 analog) |
| Sequence | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro |
| Molecular formula | C37H51N9O10S |
| Molecular weight | ≈813.9 g/mol |
| CAS number | 80714-61-0 |
Quality and sourcing
Every batch of Azzurri Wellness Semax is compounded through a Registered 503B outsourcing facility under GMP-compliant processes, HPLC-tested for purity and potency, and third-party lab verified. Shipped cold-pack when needed to protect stability.
References
- Dolotov OV, et al. Semax, an analogue of ACTH(4-10), binds specifically and increases BDNF protein in rat basal forebrain. J Neurochem. 2006. PubMed
- Agapova TY, et al. Neurotrophin gene expression in rat brain under the action of Semax. Neurosci Lett. 2007;417(2):201–205. PubMed
- Gusev EI, et al. The efficacy of semax in the treatment of patients at different stages of ischemic stroke. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr. 2018. PubMed
Compiled by the Azzurri Wellness Research Team and checked against the cited literature. Educational only — not medical advice.
