Mechanism overviews · 29 papers
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Neuropeptide

Semax

A heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-10), studied in neurotrophic and cognitive-research models.

Written by Peptidoteca Research Desk·Reviewed by Peptidoteca Research Desk·Last reviewed 2026-06-14·4 sources

§ In brief

Semax is a heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-10), studied in neurotrophic and cognitive-research models. It is supplied for laboratory research use only and is not approved for human or veterinary use. Its 7-residue amino-acid sequence is MEHFPGP.

What is Semax?

A heptapeptide derived from ACTH(4-10), studied in neurotrophic and cognitive-research models.

Semax is catalogued here as a reference compound for neuropeptide and cognitive research. The entry covers its chemical identity and the public databases that describe it; it is not a usage guide.

How is Semax studied?

Semax appears in the neuropeptide and cognitive literature, primarily in in-vitro and preclinical (animal) models. This page indexes 4 primary papers on Semax, each tagged with its study type below. Peptidoteca summarizes the proposed mechanism class and the primary sources rather than human outcomes; for the wider library, see the research library.

Is Semax approved for human use?

No. Semax is supplied for laboratory (in-vitro) research use only. It is not approved by the FDA or any comparable regulator for human or veterinary use, and nothing on this page constitutes medical advice, dosing guidance or a treatment recommendation.

What are the research limitations?

Most available evidence for Semax is preclinical — in-vitro and animal models — and findings in those models do not establish efficacy or safety in humans. Human clinical data is limited or absent, and Semax is not an approved drug. Treat the literature as mechanistic research, not clinical guidance.

§ Primary literature

  1. 1.Kolbaev SN (2025). The Effect of Peptide Semax, an ACTH(4-10) Analogue, on Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Rat Brain Neurons. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine.Rodent studyIn rat brain neuron preparations, the peptide Semax (an ACTH(4-10) analogue) was reported to influence intracellular calcium dynamics, increasing the frequency of spontaneous calcium fluctuations in pyramidal-layer neurons. Findings are limited to an ex-vivo/in-vitro rodent model.
  2. 2.Liu (2025). Semax peptide targets the μ opioid receptor gene Oprm1 to promote deubiquitination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female mice. British Journal of Pharmacology.Rodent studyIn a female mouse spinal-cord-injury model, the peptide Semax was reported to target the μ-opioid receptor gene Oprm1, promoting its deubiquitination, and was associated with functional recovery in the injured animals.
  3. 3.Inozemtseva LS (2024). Antidepressant-like and antistress effects of the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analogs Semax and Melanotan II on male rats in a model of chronic unpredictable stress. European Journal of Pharmacology.Rodent studyIn a male rat model of chronic unpredictable stress, the ACTH(4-10) synthetic analog Semax was reported to produce antidepressant-like and antistress effects, attenuating stress-induced anhedonia and associated markers of chronic stress load.
  4. 4.Giri S (2025). Modulation of neuropathological pathways by bioactive peptides and proteins/polypeptides: Targeting oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. Neuropeptides.ReviewThis narrative review of bioactive peptides in neurodegenerative disorders names Semax among example peptides discussed for reported roles in modulating oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial preservation, and synaptic plasticity in preclinical models, surveying proposed mechanisms rather than presenting primary data on Semax.
Compound spec
Sequence
MEHFPGP
Length7 aa
ClassNeuropeptide
CAS80714-61-0
Research vial10 mg

Solo para investigación in-vitro. No es consejo médico, clínico ni de dosificación.