Semax 10mg

Buy high-purity semax (10mg) in Australia. Third-party lab tested at >99% purity. Australian-domestic shipping, AUD pricing, supplied for laboratory research use only.

About semax

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Molecular Genetics in the late 1980s. Its sequence (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a fragment analogue of the N-terminal of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH 4–7), modified with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide that markedly extends its plasma stability. In published research, semax is one of the most extensively studied nootropic and neuroprotective research peptides in the Russian and Eastern European scientific literature, with research interest in its effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.

Optic Labs supplies semax as a lyophilised powder in 10mg research vials, third-party HPLC tested to >99% purity. The product is distributed Australian-domestic from Sydney, NSW, for in vitro and laboratory research applications. Semax is supplied strictly for laboratory research, development or analytical use and is not intended for human consumption.

Product specifications

• Compound: Semax (ACTH 4–7 PGP analogue)
• 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
• Purity: >99% by HPLC
• Available size: 10mg vial
• Storage: 2–8°C, protect from light. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, used within 30 days.
• Origin: Manufactured to research-grade specifications, third-party HPLC verified
• Shipping: Australia-wide domestic dispatch from Sydney, NSW

Research background

Semax was developed by Russian researchers as a non-hormonal analogue of ACTH 4–10, retaining behavioural and neurotrophic activity while removing corticotropic effects. The C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro extension provides resistance to enzymatic degradation, which gives semax an unusually long functional half-life for a small peptide. Semax is registered as a medicine in the Russian Federation but, in the Australian and Western research context, it is studied as a research-use compound.

• BDNF and neurotrophic signalling: in rodent brain-tissue research, semax administration has been associated with rapid increases in BDNF and NGF expression, particularly in the hippocampus and basal forebrain.
• Cognitive performance models: in animal models of learning and memory, semax has been investigated for effects on attention, working memory and behavioural flexibility under cognitive load.
• Cerebral ischaemia research: in rodent stroke and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models, semax has been studied as a neuroprotective candidate, with research interest in infarct volume, oxidative stress markers and neurological recovery.
• Dopaminergic and serotonergic modulation: in receptor-binding and microdialysis studies, semax has been examined for modulation of dopamine and serotonin turnover in striatal and cortical tissue.
• Enkephalin system interactions: in published research, semax administration has been associated with elevated enkephalin levels, providing a candidate mechanism for some of its anxiolytic-like effects in animal models.
• Antioxidant gene expression: in cell-culture and brain-tissue studies, semax has been associated with up-regulation of genes involved in cellular antioxidant defence.
• Pharmacokinetic stability: in published research, the Pro-Gly-Pro modification gives semax substantially longer functional activity than the parent ACTH 4–10 fragment, supporting its position as one of the more practically usable nootropic research peptides.

For a more detailed research summary, see our semax nootropic research guide and our what are peptides explainer. Researchers working with reconstitution should also reference our peptide reconstitution guide.

Reconstitution and handling

Semax is highly water-soluble and reconstitutes readily. A common laboratory approach for the 10mg vial is reconstitution in 2ml of bacteriostatic water to yield a 5mg/ml working stock, or in 1ml for a 10mg/ml stock. The bacteriostatic water should be drawn into a sterile syringe and injected slowly down the inside wall of the lyophilised vial, allowing the peptide cake to dissolve passively rather than through agitation. Reconstituted semax should be aliquoted, refrigerated at 2–8°C and protected from light, with research stocks typically used within 30 days. For dilution maths across alternative volumes, see our reconstitution calculator guide. For long-term storage protocols, see our peptide storage guide.

Commonly stacked research peptides

In published research and laboratory protocols, semax is often examined alongside other nootropic, anxiolytic and longevity research compounds:

• Selank — anxiolytic heptapeptide developed by the same research group; commonly co-investigated with semax in stress and cognitive performance models.
• DSIP — delta sleep-inducing peptide examined alongside semax in studies of sleep architecture and stress recovery.
• NAD+ — co-investigated in neuronal energetics and longevity research.
• Epithalon — telomere and longevity research peptide commonly grouped with semax in anti-ageing study designs.
• MOTS-c — mitochondrial-derived peptide examined in parallel with semax in research on neuronal energy metabolism.

For broader context on combined research designs, see our peptide research stacks overview.

Frequently asked questions

Is semax legal in Australia?

Semax is not a scheduled substance under the Australian Poisons Standard, but it is also not registered as a therapeutic good in Australia. Optic Labs supplies semax strictly for laboratory, research and analytical use only, not as a therapeutic good. For a full overview of how the Therapeutic Goods Administration treats research peptides in Australia, see our peptide legality and TGA compliance guide.

What is semax?

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH 4–7, modified with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide for enzymatic stability. It is one of the most extensively studied nootropic research peptides in Russian and Eastern European scientific literature. For a plain-language overview of peptides, see our what are peptides explainer.

What does semax do in published research?

In published research, semax is studied for its effects on BDNF and NGF expression, dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission, cerebral ischaemia outcomes in rodent stroke models, and cognitive performance in animal models of learning and memory. These observations are research findings only and do not constitute therapeutic claims. For a research-level summary, see our semax nootropic research guide.

How does semax compare with selank in research?

Semax and selank were both developed by the same Russian research group as Pro-Gly-Pro-stabilised heptapeptides, but they target distinct research areas. Semax is primarily examined for nootropic and neuroprotective effects via the BDNF/NGF axis. Selank is more often investigated for anxiolytic-like effects via GABAergic and tuftsin-related pathways. The two are frequently co-studied in stress and cognitive performance models.

How is semax supplied?

Optic Labs supplies semax as a lyophilised powder in 10mg glass research vials. Each vial is sealed with a tamper-evident closure. Certificates of analysis showing HPLC purity testing are available on request.

How much bacteriostatic water do I mix with a 10mg semax vial?

For a 10mg vial, 2ml of bacteriostatic water yields a 5mg/ml working stock; 1ml yields a 10mg/ml stock; 5ml yields a 2mg/ml stock. Choose a volume based on the concentrations required by the research protocol. For a worked example with unit conversions, see our reconstitution calculator guide.

How should reconstituted semax be stored?

Reconstituted semax should be stored at 2–8°C, protected from light, and used within approximately 30 days. For longer-term storage, aliquoting and freezing at −20°C or below is preferred to limit freeze-thaw degradation. Full handling protocols are covered in our peptide storage research guide.

Where does Optic Labs ship to?

Optic Labs ships Australia-wide from Sydney, NSW. Standard dispatch is next business day on orders received before the daily cut-off. International shipping is not currently offered.

Legal disclaimer

All products on this site are supplied for laboratory research, development or analytical use only. They are not for human consumption, clinical use, or any diagnostic, cosmetic or veterinary application. These products and statements have not been evaluated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or the APVMA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Optic Labs is not a compounding pharmacy or manufacturing facility as defined under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, and is not a registered provider of scheduled medicines or therapeutic goods.