Learn everything you need to know about this multifaceted immune-stimulatory peptide with the help of this comprehensive guide. Selank has gained notoriety due to its potential impact in research related to anxiety, neuroprotection, and mood regulation. Ongoing studies are exploring its potential as a nootropic and impacts in cognitive functions.
To address these and other concerns about this peptide, the experts at Core Peptides have compiled a comprehensive reference to its experimentation, including information on our recommended source for authentic, research-grade Selank peptide.
Selank Peptide: What is it?
Selank is a manufactured version of the naturally occurring immune-regulating peptide tuftsin. It has been classified by researchers as a plausible nootropic, a class of compounds defined by their potential to enhance cognitive processes, particularly related to learning and memory recall. The possible anti-anxiety action of Selank has been the primary focus of research since its creation by the Russian Academy of Sciences. Most researchers think that serotonin, dopamine, and GABA are among the neurotransmitters that Selank may modulate. Studies suggest that Selank may alleviate the manifestion of anxiety within the organism potentially without exerting damage by affecting these neurotransmitters.
Along with its anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing potential, Selank is considered to host antinociceptive potential to impact pain perception. Data collected from animal studies in the context of mental illness, brain injury, and chronic stress have been supportive of this claim. Research indicates that Selank may mimic the action of benzodiazepines, potentially without the considered side effects or addiction risk due to its interactions with the organism’s opioid receptors and enkephalin-degrading enzymes.
Research indicates that because Selank may interact with several physiological systems, its impacts may be somewhat dictated by the presentation. Investigations purport that instead of boosting NMDA binding sites, Selank does not seem to affect GABA receptors.
Selank Peptide: Mechanism of Action
Researchers believe many systems may be modulated by Selank. Immune system involvement is one mode of action. Researchers have speculated that Selank may lower systemic inflammation by changing the expression of genes that produce inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines and chemokines.
Additionally, Selank has been hypothesized to influence several brain receptors and neurotransmitters. Findings imply that Selank may also have the important impact of prolonging the half-life of endogenous ligands called enkephalins. These ligands attach to opioid receptors in the brain and reduce inflammation and pain signals. The enzyme enkephalinase breaks down enkephalins, although certain neurological dysfunctions and long-term illnesses may have a faster breakdown rate.
According to two investigations conducted on rodent blood cell cultures, Selank was suggested to suppress the activity of enzymes that degrade enkephalins and other regulatory peptides. In addition to reducing specific types of pain, this mechanism may help to explain why Selank may have anxiolytic potential. The many research hypotheses of this heptapeptide are not surprising given the multitude of possible mechanisms via which Selank may exert its effects. In the following part, we will go into a few of them.
Selank Peptide and Mood
Dopamine is considered to be a crucial regulator of reward-seeking behavior; a 2005 mice model research study reported that Selank may indirectly modulate this neurotransmitter. Depression and anxiety-spectrum illnesses may have a common denominator: dopamine imbalances.
To begin the experiment, the mice were given a chemical that destabilized their mood and heightened their reactionary behaviors. Following this, they were given either Selank alone or a combination of Selank and an opioid receptor antagonist. In contrast to mice given the antagonist in addition to Selank, those given Selank alone suggested a decrease in responsiveness similar to that produced by a traditional antipsychotic compound.
It seems that Selank was unable to attach to the opioid receptors required for mood control after being given the opiod receptor antagonist. Researchers hypothesized that Selank may potentially regulate mood via an action on the opioid system, which includes preserving enkephalins and indirectly modulating the dopaminergic system.
Selank Peptide and Cognitive Function
In a rat experiment, one group received a concentration of Selank following a training session with the handler, while the other group received saline following the same session. Compared to the saline group, the Selank group appeared to have exhibited much better stability of memory traces. Selank’s potential to control serotonin and its metabolism in the brain is thought to be responsible for its nootropic potential.
Researchers indicated that rats given Selank appeared to exhibit significant and progressive increases in their learning, memory retention, and problem-solving abilities after an experiment with rat models of cognitive impairment (learning difficulties).
Selank Peptide and Stress Hormones
Researchers examined Selank’s potential on the colons of stressed rats, finding that it may have induced inflammation and other unfavorable stress-associated indicators. Exposure to Selank in animal research models fifteen minutes before induced stress appeared to have significantly decreased stress hormones and accelerated tolerance to the stressor.
More subsequent research on social stress in rats corroborated these findings. Giving Selank to the models during an aggressive social encounter seemed to effectively decrease all stress-induced physiological alterations.
Scientists interested in buying research peptides are encouraged to visit the Core Peptides website for the highest-quality, most affordable research compounds.
References
[i] Filatova E, Kasian A, Kolomin T, et al. GABA, Selank, and Olanzapine Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission in IMR-32 Cells. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:89. Published 2017 Feb 28. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00089
[ii] Uchakina ON, Uchakin PN, Miasoedov NF, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of selank in patients with anxiety-asthenic disorders. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008;108(5):71-75.
[iii] Meshavkin VK, Kost NV, Sokolov OY, Zolotarev YA, Myasoedov NF, Zozulya AA. Naloxone-blocked depriming effect of anxiolytic selank on apomorphine-induced behavioral manifestations of hyperfunction of dopamine system. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2006;142(5):598-600. doi:10.1007/s10517-006-0428-1
[iv] Vasil’eva EV, Kondrakhin EA, Salimov RM, Kovalev GI. Comparison of pharmacological effects of heptapeptide Selank after intranasal and intraperitoneal administration to BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2016;79(9):3-11.
[v] Volkova A, Shadrina M, Kolomin T, et al. Selank Administration Affects the Expression of Some Genes Involved in GABAergic Neurotransmission. Front Pharmacol. 2016;7:31. Published 2016 Feb 18. doi:10.3389/fphar.2016.00031
[vi] Sokolov OY, Meshavkin VK, Kost NV, Zozulya AA. Effects of Selank on behavioral reactions and activities of plasma enkephalin-degrading enzymes in mice with different phenotypes of emotional and stress reactions. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002;133(2):133- 135. doi:10.1023/a:1015582302311
[vii] Semenova TP, Kozlovskiĭ II, Zakharova NM, Kozlovskaia MM. Experimental optimization of learning and memory processes by selank. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2010;73(8):2-5.
[viii] Kozlovskii II, Danchev ND. The optimizing action of the synthetic peptide Selank on a conditioned active avoidance reflex in rats. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2003;33(7):639-643. doi:10.1023/a:1024444321191
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