Everything below concerns synthetic heptapeptide. We keep the language plain, cite what the science says, and separate well-supported claims from open questions.
Last reviewed on 2025-12-01. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
Development is attributed to researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow during the early 1980s, building on earlier Soviet work with ACTH fragments. Russian regulatory approval followed for intranasal use, and the compound has remained commercially available there for decades. Most published human data originate from Russian and, later, some Eastern European clinical reports, which are not always accessible in English translation. Outside that region the material is generally handled as a research chemical rather than a licensed medicine.
Regulatory status differs sharply between jurisdictions. In Russia the peptide is registered as a prescription nasal preparation, while agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration have not approved it for any indication. Products sold elsewhere are typically labeled for laboratory research only, and such labels shift responsibility for safe handling to the purchaser. Because the same name covers pharmaceutical-grade nasal drops and bulk research powder, identity and purity documentation becomes the main practical concern when comparing sources.
Semax is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide whose sequence extends the ACTH(4-10) fragment with a C-terminal proline-glycine-proline tripeptide. The commonly cited sequence is Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, giving a molecular formula near C37H51N9O10S and a molecular weight close to 813.9 g/mol. It belongs to the broader class of synthetic ACTH fragments studied for central nervous system effects rather than for adrenal steroid stimulation. In practice the material appears as a lyophilized white powder for laboratory work or as a dilute saline solution in clinical settings.
Pharmacological accounts link semax to melanocortin signalling and to modulation of neurotrophic factor expression, particularly brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor. Much of this evidence comes from rodent studies using intranasal delivery, a route chosen because it allows peptides to reach the central nervous system with limited systemic exposure. Whether the same mechanisms operate in humans at comparable magnitude remains an open question. The precise receptor or receptors responsible for the reported behavioural and neuroprotective effects have not been conclusively identified.
Clinical reports describe use in ischaemic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, optic nerve conditions, and cognitive complaints, but most of these studies are small and were conducted in a single region. Systematic reviews have generally described the evidence base as limited in size and variable in methodological quality. Randomised controlled data suitable for international regulatory assessment are scarce. As a result, major treatment guidelines outside Russia do not include the peptide, and interest in it remains largely research-driven rather than routine clinical.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic heptapeptide (ACTH fragment analog) | Not a steroid; does not belong to the melanocortin agonist drugs by marketing category |
| Molecular formula | C37H51N9O10S (commonly cited) | Reported values vary slightly with salt and counter-ion content |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilized powder | A single batch may appear as a loose cake or fluffy solid |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water and aqueous buffer | Stock solutions are usually prepared in sterile water or saline |
| Typical storage | −20 °C or below, desiccated and protected from light | Seal opened vials promptly to limit moisture uptake |
Laboratory descriptions of the material are consistent across suppliers. It appears as a white to off-white lyophilized powder that dissolves readily in water and in polar organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide. Aqueous solutions are clear and colorless at low concentrations. Because the peptide contains methionine, oxidation at the sulfur atom is a recognized degradation pathway, and handling notes usually call for protected, desiccated storage. Reported purity for research-grade lots is generally above 95 percent as measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.
The compound is registered in Russia as a pharmaceutical product, most commonly formulated as a nasal solution, and has been used in that setting since the 1990s. Outside that jurisdiction it is generally handled as a research chemical rather than an approved medicine. Regulatory status therefore differs sharply between countries, and material sold internationally may not correspond to the Russian pharmaceutical formulation. Documentation with commercial samples is typically limited to a certificate of analysis covering purity and identity, not clinical status or local legal classification.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide whose sequence is Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was developed as a fragment analog of adrenocorticotropic hormone, modeled specifically on the ACTH(4-10) region. The first four residues reproduce that fragment, while a Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide is appended at the C-terminus. Work on the compound originated in Russia, where it entered clinical use as an intranasal preparation. Its sequence places it among short regulatory peptides studied for effects on the central nervous system rather than on the adrenal axis.
The C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension is not incidental. Proline-rich tails are known to resist several common peptidases, and the published literature attributes the longer half-life of Semax, relative to unmodified ACTH fragments, to this feature. The modification also removes the melanocyte-stimulating and corticosteroidogenic activity that characterizes longer ACTH-derived sequences. Because the molecule is small and hydrophilic, it is typically formulated as an aqueous solution for intranasal or parenteral delivery. Acetylation or amidation at the termini appears in closely related research peptides and shifts the mass by a fixed increment.
Semax 是一种人工合成的七肽，氨基酸序列为 Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro，单字母缩写记作 MEHFPGP。它被归类为促肾上腺皮质激素片段 ACTH(4-10) 的结构类似物，但并不天然存在于生物体内。母体片段 ACTH(4-10) 的序列为 Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly，Semax 替换了中间两个残基，并在羧基端延长了 Pro-Gly-Pro 三肽。这种延长被普遍认为能提升分子对肽酶的耐受性。
该化合物于二十世纪八十年代在俄罗斯被开发，相关工作由俄罗斯科学院分子遗传学研究所的研究团队主导。开发目标并非复制 ACTH 的完整激素活性，而是寻找保留其神经作用方向、同时去除促肾上腺皮质激素释放效应的短肽片段。研究记录显示，这一方向促成了多个相关短肽的合成与筛选，而 Semax 是其中被研究最广泛的一个。当地文献常以 Семакс 这一名称指代它。
研究兴趣主要集中在神经营养因子相关的路径上，包括脑源性神经营养因子与神经生长因子的表达变化。部分实验报告称在特定条件下观察到这些因子的水平上升，但具体信号通路和剂量依赖关系仍未完全厘清。多数公开数据来自细胞模型和动物实验，人体对照研究数量有限。因此，该化合物的作用机制在文献中属于活跃讨论，而非已经确立的定论。
Development of the compound took place in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, largely through peptide research groups affiliated with the Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute and Moscow State University. Investigators screened fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone for activity on the central nervous system while attempting to separate cognitive effects from hormonal ones. The shortened sequence was selected because it retained behavioral activity in animal models without stimulating corticosteroid release. Early publications described the molecule as an ACTH(4-10) analog.
Published research on this peptide originates mainly from Russian laboratories, and the wider international literature is comparatively thin. Studies have used rodent models of stroke, hypoxia, and memory tasks, with a smaller number of human trials reported. Reported outcomes include changes in attention and memory measures, along with effects on neurotrophic factor expression in some experiments. Small sample sizes, inconsistent dosing protocols, and limited independent replication are widely noted limitations, so the strength of the clinical evidence remains an open question.
Once activated, dendritic cells migrate to lymph nodes, where they present the antigen to T cells and B cells. This triggers the production of antibodies specifically targeted to the antigen, ultimately resulting in immunity.
=== Nitriles in medicine === Nitriles occur in numerous classes of drugs. Between 2010 and 2020, at least one drug containing a nitrile function was approved annually by the US Food and Drug Administration. The nitrile group exhibits characteristic physicochemical properties that are important in drug design. Structurally, it has a linear geometry and occupies very little space—approximately one eighth of the volume of a methyl group. As a ligand substituent, it is therefore well suited to occupying narrow and deep cavities within the binding site of a target protein that are otherwise difficult to access. Incorporation of a nitrile group into a molecule generally reduces its octanol-water partition coefficient or increases its aqueous solubility. This often favorably influences bioavailability, plasma half-life, and thus the duration of action of lipophilic compounds. In medicinal products, the nitrile group is typically metabolically stable. The nitrile group is isosteric with the carbonyl group, the hydroxy group, and the chlorine atom. It therefore exhibits similar electronic and steric properties and can be exchanged with these groups to fine-tune molecular characteristics. The hydrogen bond represents the principal pharmacodynamic interaction of the nitrile group, which acts as a proton acceptor due to the electronegativity of its nitrogen atom, in contrast to the ethynyl group.
In dermatology, the base of a topical medication is often as important as the medication itself. It is extremely important to receive a medication in the correct base, before applying to the skin. A pharmacist should not substitute an ointment for a cream, or vice versa, as the potency of the medication can change. Some physicians use a thick ointment to replace the waterproof barrier of the inflamed skin in the treatment of eczema, and a cream might not accomplish the same clinical intention.
Scarification involves scratching, etching, burning/branding, or superficially cutting designs, pictures, or words into the skin as a permanent body modification or body art. The body modification can take roughly 6–12 months to heal. In the process of body scarification, scars are purposely formed by cutting or branding the skin by various methods (sometimes using further sequential aggravating wound-healing methods at timed intervals, like irritation). Scarification is sometimes called cicatrization.
Choriogonadotropin subunit beta (CG-beta) also known as chorionic gonadotrophin chain beta is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CGB gene. This gene is a member of the glycoprotein hormone beta chain family and encodes the beta 3 subunit of chorionic gonadotropin (CG). Glycoprotein hormones are heterodimers consisting of a common alpha subunit and a unique beta subunit which confers biological specificity. CG is produced by the trophoblastic cells of the placenta and stimulates the ovaries to synthesize the steroids that are essential for the maintenance of pregnancy. The beta subunit of CG is encoded by 6 genes which are arranged in tandem and inverted pairs on chromosome 19q13.3 and contiguous with the luteinizing hormone beta subunit gene.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Bus drivers at National Express West Midlands call a fresh strike for Monday 20 March after Unite claims National Express would not allow them to vote on the latest pay offer. 20 March – An indefinite strike by bus drivers at National Express West Midlands begins, affecting 93% of bus services in Birmingham. National Express operates a limited service to serve major hospitals in the area, and warns people not to travel by bus unless absolutely necessary. 23 March – The British Medical Association announces that junior doctors in England will stage a four-day strike from 11 to 15 April in their continued quest for a 35% pay rise. Harry Kane becomes the England national football team's all-time record scorer with 54 goals in 81 appearances, after scoring a penalty in a 1–2 win against Italy in UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying. 24 March – Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is fined £2,000 for speeding along a motorway at 78 mph in July 2022. He also receives three points on his driving licence. 25 March – London City Hall bans its staff from using TikTok on all its official devices. Bus drivers belonging to the Unite union vote to accept a 16.2% pay rise from National Express West Midlands, ending the week-long strike staged by bus drivers in the West Midlands. 26 March – A major incident is declared at Poole Harbour following a leak of 200 barrels of reservoir fluid, including oil, into the water. 27 March – The National Education Union urges teachers to vote against the latest government pay offer for England, raising the prospect of fresh strikes.
Despite its modern (Pharmacopoeia specified) standard structure, storage stability, potency, purity, and unit strength, with its narrow therapeutic index — i.e., difference between its minimum effective dose (MED) and toxic dose (TD) — and, as well, the small difference between its toxic dose and its lethal dose (LD), insulin remains a dangerous, high-alert medication (HAM).
=== Leader of the BC Conservatives (May–September 2026) === On May 30, 2026, Findlay was elected leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia with 51% of the vote. She took over from interim leader Trevor Halford following the resignation of John Rustad in December 2025. During the leadership campaign, Findlay faced criticism within her own party for saying fellow leadership candidate Peter Milobar had a conflict of interest when it comes to reconciliation because his wife is Indigenous. In response, Milobar called Findlay's attacks "the worst side of politics possible,” suggesting her victory would “give a lot of British Columbians pause for thought of whether they would actually vote for a party like this.” He would later leave the party in August 2026. Findlay has also received criticism from former Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko, who called her "radical on the right wing," saying she’s been copied on several emails from B.C. Conservative members cancelling their memberships. Former BC United MLA Karin Kirkpatrick called Findlay's victory "very, very bad for the Conservative party." On June 29, she conducted a shadow cabinet reshuffle, appointing MLA Heather Maahs as leader of the Opposition. On July 3, 2026, former BC Conservative MLA Amelia Boultbee crossed the floor to join the governing BC NDP caucus, citing a shift toward "Trump-style populism" under new BC Conservative leader Findlay as the reason she would not be returning to its caucus.
== Epidemiology == Kwashiorkor is rare in high-income countries. It is mostly observed in low-income and middle-income nations and regions such as Southeast Asia, Central America, Congo, Ethiopia, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, South Africa, and Uganda, where poverty is prominent. Occurrences of severe malnutrition also tend to trend higher under conditions of food insecurity, higher prevalence of infectious diseases, lack of access to appropriate care, and poor living situations with inadequate sanitation. Communities experiencing famine are affected the most, especially during the rainy season. Prevalence varies, but it affects children of either sex commonly under five years old. "Globally, kwashiorkor indirected accounted for 53% of deaths among children under five between 2000 and 2003 when associated with other common childhood diseases like acute respiratory infections, malaria, measles, HIV/AIDS and other causes of perinatal deaths." When compared to marasmus in developing countries, kwashiorkor typically has a lower prevalence, "0.2%-1.6% for kwashiorkor and 1.2%-6.8% for marasmus." Factors such as "diet, geographical locations, climate, and aflatoxin exposure" have been invoked as potential causes for observed differences in the prevalence of kwashiorkor and marasmus. In general, in areas where Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is prevalent, marasmus is more often the dominant SAM condition. However, in certain areas, kwashiorkor may be more common than marasmus.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a short synthetic peptide built from seven amino acids: methionine, glutamic acid, histidine, phenylalanine and three prolines. The sequence derives from the 4-10 fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone with an added proline-glycine-proline tail. No plant or animal extract is involved; the material is produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis.
It was developed in the Soviet Union during the early 1980s by groups at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow. Russian approval for intranasal use followed, and it has been marketed there since. Western laboratories encountered it mainly through translated literature and, later, through online research-chemical trade.
It holds a Russian registration as a prescription nasal product but has no approval from the European Medicines Agency or the United States Food and Drug Administration. Buyers outside Russia usually receive material sold strictly for laboratory research. That distinction matters because research-grade and pharmaceutical-grade products carry different documentation and testing expectations.
It is described as a synthetic analogue of the ACTH(4–10) fragment, a short segment of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Its sequence differs from that fragment and includes two proline residues, which influence stability and behaviour in solution.