Category
Cognitive and neurological
Several compounds here, including Semax, Selank and Cerebrolysin, are registered medicines in Russia or other countries but have little or no presence in Western regulatory systems. Much of their clinical literature comes from a small number of research groups and has not been independently replicated in large trials.
10 compounds, strongest evidence first
- Porcine brain-derived peptide mixture Cerebrolysin Cerebrolysin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from pig brain proteins. Approved medicine
- Neurohypophyseal hormone Oxytocin Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid hormone made in the hypothalamus. Approved medicine
- EPO-derived tissue-protective peptide ARA-290 ARA-290 is an 11-amino-acid peptide modelled on part of erythropoietin. Human RCTs
- Neuropeptide DSIP DSIP is a nine-residue peptide isolated in 1977 from rabbits in which slow-wave sleep had been induced by electrical brain stimulation. Early human data
- Tuftsin analog Selank Selank is a synthetic seven-residue analog of tuftsin, a fragment of immunoglobulin G. Early human data
- ACTH(4-10) analog Semax Semax is a seven-amino-acid peptide developed in Russia from a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Early human data
- Angiotensin IV analog Dihexa Dihexa is a small, orally active angiotensin IV analog developed at Washington State University. Animal studies
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide Humanin Humanin is a 24-amino-acid peptide discovered in 2001 in a screen for factors that protect neurons from Alzheimer’s-related cell death. Animal studies
- TREK-1 channel blocker PE-22-28 PE-22-28 is a shortened analog of spadin, a natural peptide that blocks the TREK-1 potassium channel. Animal studies
- Multi-peptide blend Selank + Semax blend This blend pairs the two Russian-developed heptapeptides, Selank (studied for anxiety) and Semax (studied for stroke and cognition). Animal studies