Semax
ACTH(4-10) analog · Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
A seven-amino-acid ACTH fragment analog developed in Russia. One of the most studied peptides in neuroprotection and cognitive research.
Sizes
- 10mg / vial — $50
Specifications
- CAS number: 80714-61-0
- Molecular formula: C37H51N9O10S
- Molecular weight: 813.93 g/mol
- Sequence: Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
- Form: Lyophilised powder
- Storage: −20°C, protected from light
What it is
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-10) — a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone — with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail added to the C-terminus. The key point is that the fragment retains the neurological activity of the parent hormone while having none of its hormonal activity: it does not stimulate cortisol release.
Background
Semax was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It is a registered medicine in Russia and is not approved in the United States or the European Union, which is why most of its clinical literature is Russian-language.
How it works
Semax is an ACTH(4-10) fragment with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail that blocks enzymatic breakdown. Published work centres on elevated BDNF and NGF expression in the hippocampus, plus modulation of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.
Why researchers order it
It has an unusually long clinical history — Semax has been on the Russian register of essential medicines for decades, which means the research base is substantially deeper than for most nootropic compounds. Note that, as with Epithalon, much of that literature is Russian-language and less accessible to Western review.
Studied in
- BDNF and TrkB expression models
- Neuroprotection and cerebral ischaemia literature
- Monoamine and endogenous opioid modulation studies
Handling and storage
Add 2ml of bacteriostatic water for 5mg/ml. Swirl to dissolve. Store unopened vials at −20°C, protected from light; lyophilised powder is stable for years that way and tolerates shipping at ambient temperature. Solutions prepared for analysis should be held at 2–8°C, protected from light. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles compromise sample integrity.
Stability notes for this sequence
- The sequence contains methionine, which oxidises in solution. Keep reconstituted material out of light and recap the vial promptly.
- Lyophilised powder is stable for years at −20°C in the dark and tolerates days at ambient temperature in transit.
Specification in brief
Semax is a 7-residue peptide with the molecular formula C37H51N9O10S and a molecular weight of 813.93 g/mol, CAS registry number 80714-61-0. The vial is sealed and lot-numbered, holds lyophilised powder, and is kept at −20°C protected from light until it ships.
Sizes and price
Semax is sold per vial in one size: 10mg at $50. Any quantity can be ordered from a single vial upward; ten vials make a sealed box. Shipping is a flat $10 within the United States and free on orders of $250 or more.
Evidence at a glance
The 2 papers cited below are 2 animal studies. None is a controlled study of Semax in humans, and this page does not claim otherwise.
Further reading
- Cognitive and longevity peptide comparison
- How to read a certificate of analysis
- Lyophilised peptide storage and stability
- Reconstitution concentration calculator
Certificate of analysis
Lot CS-sem10-0128, assayed at 99.566%, tested 05 Feb 2026 by Janoshik.
View the certificate for lot CS-sem10-0128 — verification key QH8259YHGWUX, checkable at janoshik.com/verify
References
- Dolotov OV et al. (2006). Semax, an analog of ACTH(4-10) with cognitive effects, regulates BDNF and trkB expression in the rat hippocampus. Brain Res. PubMed 16996037 · SummaryRat hippocampus: Semax raised BDNF and trkB expression after administration.
- Dolotov OV et al. (2006). Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein in rat basal forebrain. J Neurochem. PubMed 16635254 · SummarySemax bound specifically to rat basal-forebrain membranes and raised BDNF protein levels there.
Questions about Semax
Is Semax for human use?
No. Everything Zyrna Research supplies is for laboratory research only. It is not for human or veterinary use, and nothing on this page is a claim of safety or efficacy.
Is there a certificate of analysis for Semax?
Yes. The manufacturer's certificate for lot CS-sem10-0128 is shown on this page and reports 99.566% purity. We do not run our own assays; the figure is the manufacturer's, not independent verification.
What sizes does Semax come in?
10mg. Vials ship in the manufacturer's sealed, lot-numbered packaging; nothing is repackaged or relabelled.
How should Semax be stored?
Unopened lyophilised vials at −20°C, protected from light. Prepared solutions at 2–8°C. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles compromise sample integrity for analytical work.
How is it shipped?
From Nashville, Monday to Friday, with carrier tracking on every order. Paid orders are handed to the carrier the next business day; domestic transit is typically 2–4 business days. Lyophilised material is shelf-stable in transit and ships at room temperature.
What if a vial arrives damaged?
Photograph it before opening anything else and email orders@zyrnaresearch.com within 72 hours of delivery. We replace it. Opened or unsealed vials cannot be returned, because storage conditions cannot be verified once they leave our control.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Nothing on this page is a claim of safety or efficacy, and none of it has been evaluated by the FDA.