Everything below concerns neurotrophic factor. We keep the language plain, cite what the science says, and separate well-supported claims from open questions.
Last reviewed on 2026-03-25. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
Published studies examine a fairly narrow set of endpoints. Rodent experiments commonly measure maze learning, infarct volume after induced ischemia, and tissue levels of neurotrophic factors. Clinical reports from Russian centres describe attention, memory and recovery scores in patients after stroke or transient ischemic attack. Most of those human studies are small and few have been repeated by independent groups. Outcome measures differ between studies, which limits direct comparison.
Circulation time for the peptide is short because peptidases cleave it readily. The Pro-Gly-Pro tail is thought to slow breakdown compared with the bare ACTH fragment, but the gain appears modest. Absorption after intranasal dosing is limited, and only a fraction of a dose is expected to reach the central nervous system. Laboratory concentrations therefore sit well above levels achieved systemically, a gap that complicates translation from bench findings to clinical claims.
The mechanisms attributed to semax are inferred from animal and cell studies rather than traced to one confirmed target. The most frequently cited pathway involves increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in hippocampal and cortical tissue. Some work points to engagement of melanocortin receptors, particularly MC4, which the parent ACTH fragment can activate. Effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic signalling have also been reported. No single account explains all observed results, and the relative weight of each pathway remains unsettled.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment, a short segment of adrenocorticotropic hormone that lacks the hormonal activity associated with the full-length peptide. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow developed the compound during the 1980s. It has been registered as a pharmaceutical product in Russia and several neighbouring countries, where it is supplied as a nasal solution, and it is also sold internationally as a research chemical.
The proposed mechanism centres on neurotrophic signalling rather than direct receptor activation. Semax is reported to increase expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in several brain regions, and to shift the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems. Interaction with melanocortin receptors has been suggested because of the parent ACTH fragment. Many of these findings come from rodent studies, and the extent to which they translate to human physiology remains an open question.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Lyophilized solid from research suppliers |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water | Also dissolves in aqueous buffers; solutions are used fresh |
| Typical storage temperature | -20 °C for lyophilized powder | Short-term transport at 2-8 °C is common |
| Common analytical method | Reverse-phase HPLC | Paired with mass spectrometry for identity confirmation |
| Common synonyms | ACTH(4-10) analogue; MEHFPGP | N-terminal methionine retained in the chain |
稳定性主要由水解与氧化两条路径支配。肽键在中性或弱酸性条件下相对稳定，遇到强碱或长时间高温则明显断裂；甲硫氨酸侧链容易被氧化成亚砜，使主峰前移并拉低实际含量。金属离子、光照和反复冻融会进一步促进降解或聚集。冻干粉在低温避光条件下可存放较长时间，配制后的水溶液通常需要冷藏并尽快用完。
纯度评估以反相高效液相色谱为主，通过主峰面积百分比给出粗略结果，再配合电喷雾质谱核对分子量。氨基酸分析可验证组成比例，手性色谱或毛细管电泳用于检查残基构型。常见杂质包括缺失序列的短肽、氧化产物与二聚体。由于多数市售品不附带完整检验报告，独立第三方检测常被用来核实标称值。
从分子层面看，Semax 是线性七肽，没有二硫键、糖基或脂链修饰，N 端为游离氨基，C 端为游离羧基。分子含组氨酸与谷氨酸侧链，因此在水和甲醇等极性溶剂中溶解良好，在非极性溶剂中溶解有限。计算分子量约为 814 Da，与其质子化离子的质荷比吻合，可用于质谱确认。
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in the Soviet Union during the 1980s by researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow. It was designed as a truncated analog of adrenocorticotropic hormone, retaining only the fragment spanning residues four through ten. Investigators sought a peptide that would preserve the cognitive effects associated with ACTH while eliminating the hormonal stimulation of the adrenal cortex. The compound entered clinical use in Russia during the following decade.
Russian regulatory authorities approved the peptide for nasal administration, and it remains listed in the national pharmacopoeia under several trade names. Documented indications include acute ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, traumatic brain injury, and certain ophthalmological and neurological conditions. Physicians also prescribe it for cognitive complaints in older patients, although the evidence base for that use is thinner. Outside Russia and a few neighboring states, the substance is not an approved medicine and is sold instead as a research chemical.
Later generations of the molecule include an N-acetylated form and an amidated form, both marketed online alongside the parent peptide. These variants differ in terminal chemistry and stability, and they are frequently discussed in the same breath even though they have not been compared in controlled trials. Supply outside formal healthcare systems comes largely from laboratories that synthesize peptides to order. Purity and identity of these materials vary widely, and no single body oversees the international trade.
Identity and purity are confirmed with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, typically monitored at 214 nanometres where the peptide bond absorbs. Mass spectrometry, either electrospray or MALDI-TOF, verifies molecular mass against the theoretical value and detects truncation or adduct formation. Amino acid analysis and peptide mapping provide additional confirmation when required. The most frequently reported impurities are deletion sequences from incomplete coupling, methionine sulfoxide from oxidation, and dimeric species formed through non-covalent aggregation. Impurity profiles depend strongly on the synthesis and purification route chosen by the producer.
Published research has focused mainly on neurological and cognitive endpoints in animal models, with proposed mechanisms involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor and related signalling pathways. A substantial share of the human data originates from a limited number of research groups, and independent replication in other countries remains sparse. Regulatory status reflects that distribution: the peptide is registered as a medicine in Russia and appears in some neighbouring markets, while elsewhere it is handled as a research chemical without approved therapeutic labelling. Questions about dose-response relationships, long-term effects, and comparability across studies are still open.
Lyophilised powder is normally kept at -20 °C in a desiccated container, with some suppliers recommending -80 °C for long-term archival storage. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are the most common cause of avoidable loss, so aliquoting before freezing reduces variability between working sessions. Dissolved peptide is far less stable than the dry solid and is usually prepared fresh or held briefly at 4 °C. Aqueous solutions support both hydrolysis of the backbone and oxidation of the N-terminal methionine, and these two routes dominate degradation under ordinary laboratory conditions.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. Its chain combines the first seven residues of corticotropin with a C-terminal proline-glycine-proline extension, a modification intended to slow enzymatic breakdown. The free peptide has a molecular mass near 813.9 daltons. It belongs to the class of ACTH-derived fragments studied for central nervous system activity rather than for adrenal steroid stimulation. This structural relationship to a natural hormone fragment is the usual starting point for describing the compound in the literature.
Development took place during the 1980s at institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where peptide fragments of ACTH were screened for cognitive and neuroprotective effects. The compound received regulatory approval in Russia as a nasal preparation, marketed for conditions such as ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and optic nerve disorders. Registration in other countries has not followed. Most published clinical reports originate from a small number of Russian research groups, and independent replication outside that setting remains limited. The regulatory status therefore differs sharply between Russia and the rest of the world.
Laboratory work points toward modulation of neurotrophic signaling, particularly expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in hippocampal tissue. Studies also describe effects on monoamine turnover, inflammatory mediators, and oxidative markers. These observations come mainly from animal models and cultured cells, so the causal chain in humans is not firmly established. Whether the reported molecular changes translate into measurable clinical benefit is an open question. Reviews generally present the mechanism as plausible rather than demonstrated.
== Treatment == Symptomatic treatment usually involves analgesics for both cranial and spinal CSF leaks. Initial measures can include rest, caffeine intake (via coffee or intravenous infusion), and hydration. Corticosteroids may provide transient relief for some patients. An abdominal binder, which increases intracranial pressure by compressing the abdomen, can temporarily relieve symptoms for some people. Sometimes a CSF leak will heal on its own. Otherwise, symptoms may last months or even years.
=== Biological === This is the method by which dissolved and suspended organic chemical components are eliminated through biodegradation, in which an optimal amount of microorganism is given to re-enact the same natural self-purification process. Through two distinct biological process, such as biological oxidation and biosynthesis, microorganisms can degrade organic materials in wastewater. Microorganisms involved in wastewater treatment produce end products such as minerals, carbon dioxide, and ammonia during the biological oxidation process. The minerals (products) remained in the wastewater and were discharged with the effluent. Microorganisms use organic materials in wastewater to generate new microbial cells with dense biomass that is eliminated by sedimentation throughout the biosynthesis process.
== Removal of interfibrillary proteins == The interfibrillary proteins are denatured by the presence of alkali (particularly sodium sulfide), rendered soluble, facilitating their removal from the leather. Removal is done by the mechanical action of liming or reliming, but more prominently when the pelt is deswelled (during deliming). Failure to remove these proteins results in a hard, tinny leather (due to fibre glueing upon drying) that is brittle and inflexible.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
When cell biologists largely abandoned colloidal phase separation, it was left to relative outsiders – agricultural scientists and physicists – to make further progress in the study of phase separating biomolecules in cells. Beginning in the early 1970s, Harold M Farrell Jr. at the US Department of Agriculture developed a colloidal phase separation model for milk casein micelles that form within mammary gland cells before secretion as milk. Also in the 1970s, physicists Tanaka & Benedek at MIT identified phase-separation behaviour of gamma-crystallin proteins from lens epithelial cells and cataracts in solution, which Benedek called protein condensation.
== ISO 4500 - ISO 4999 == ISO 4548 Methods of test for full-flow lubricating oil filters for internal combustion engines ISO 4548-7:2012 Part 7: Vibration fatigue test ISO 4551:1987 Ferroalloys – Sampling and sieve analysis ISO 4552 Ferroalloys – Sampling and sample preparation for chemical analysis ISO 4552-1:1987 Part 1: Ferrochromium, ferrosilicochromium, ferrosilicon, ferrosilicomanganese, ferromanganese ISO 4552-2:1987 Part 2: Ferrotitanium, ferromolybdenum, ferrotungsten, ferroniobium, ferrovanadium ISO 4570 Tyre valve threads ISO 4578 Adhesives — Determination of peel resistance of high-strength adhesive bonds — Floating-roller method ISO 4582 Plastics — Determination of changes in colour and variations in properties after exposure to daylight under glass, natural weathering or laboratory light sources ISO 4587 Adhesives — Determination of tensile lap-shear strength of rigid-to-rigid bonded assemblies ISO 4618:2014 Paints and varnishes – Terms and definitions ISO 4628 Paints and varnishes – Evaluation of degradation of coatings – Designation of quantity and size of defects, and of intensity of uniform changes in appearance ISO 4628-1 General introduction and designation system ISO 4628-2 Assessment of degree of blistering ISO 4628-3 Assessment of degree of rusting ISO 4628-4 Assessment of degree of cracking ISO 4628-5 Assessment of degree of flaking ISO 4628-6 Assessment of degree of chalking by tape method ISO 4628-7 Assessment of degree of chalking by velvet method ISO 4628-8 Assessment of degree of delamination and corrosion around a scribe ISO 4628-10 Assessment of degree of filiform corrosion ISO 4648:1991 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Determination of dimensions of test pieces and products for test purposes [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 23529] ISO 4661 Rubber, vulcanized — Preparation of samples and test pieces ISO 4661-1:1993 Rubber, vulcanized or thermoplastic — Preparation of samples and test pieces — Part 1: Physical tests [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 23529] ISO 4661-2:2018 Rubber, vulcanized — Preparation of samples and test pieces — Part 2: Chemical tests ISO 4683 Raw sheep skins ISO 4683-1:1998 Part 1: Descriptions of defects ISO 4720:2009 Essential oils – Nomenclature ISO 4730:2017 Essential oil of Melaleuca, terpinen-4-ol type (Tea Tree oil) ISO 4786:1977 Enclosed-scale adjustable-range thermometers [Withdrawn without replacement] ISO 4787:2010 Laboratory glassware – Volumetric instruments – Methods for testing of capacity and for use ISO 4788:2005 Laboratory glassware – Graduated measuring cylinders ISO 4791 Laboratory apparatus – Vocabulary relating to apparatus made essentially from glass, porcelain or vitreous silica ISO 4791-1:1985 Part 1: Names for items of apparatus ISO 4795:1996 Glass for thermometer bulbs ISO 4801:1979 Glass alcoholometers and alcohol hydrometers not incorporating a thermometer ISO 4805:1982 Laboratory glassware – Thermo-alcoholometers and alcohol-thermohydrometers ISO 4824:1993 Dentistry — Ceramic denture teeth [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 22112] ISO 4831:2006 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for the detection and enumeration of coliforms – Most probable number technique ISO 4832:2006 Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs – Horizontal method for the enumeration of coliforms – Colony-count technique ISO 4833 Microbiology of the food chain – Horizontal method for the enumeration of microorganisms ISO 4833-1:2013 Part 1: Colony count at 30 degrees C by the pour plate technique ISO 4833-2:2013 Part 2: Colony count at 30 degrees C by the surface plating technique ISO 4848:1980 Concrete — Determination of air content of freshly mixed concrete — Pressure method [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 1920-2] ISO 4858:1982 Wood — Determination of volumetric shrinkage [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 13061-14] ISO 4859:1982 Wood — Determination of radial and tangential swelling [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 13061-15] ISO 4860:1982 Wood — Determination of volumetric swelling [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 13061-16] ISO 4866:2010 Mechanical vibration and shock – Vibration of fixed structures – Guidelines for the measurement of vibrations and evaluation of their effects on structures ISO 4871:1996 Acoustics – Declaration and verification of noise emission values of machinery and equipment ISO/IEC 4873:1991 Information technology – ISO 8-bit code for information interchange – Structure and rules for implementation ISO 4875 Metal-cutting band saw blades ISO 4875-1:2006 Part 1: Vocabulary ISO 4880:1997 Burning behaviour of textiles and textile products – Vocabulary ISO 4882:1979 Office machines and data processing equipment – Line spacings and character spacings ISO 4885:2017 Ferrous materials – Heat treatments – Vocabulary ISO 4892 Plastics – Methods of exposure to laboratory light sources ISO 4902:1989 Information technology – Data communication – 37-pole DTE/DCE interface connector and contact number assignments ISO 4903:1989 Information technology – Data communication – 15-pole DTE/DCE interface connector and contact number assignments ISO/IEC 4909:2006 Identification cards – Financial transaction cards – Magnetic stripe data content for track 3 ISO 4921:2000 Knitting – Basic concepts – Vocabulary ISO/IEC 4922-1 Information security — Secure multiparty computation ISO/IEC 4922-1:2023 Part 1: General ISO 4977 Double cold-reduced electrolytic tinplate ISO 4977-1:1984 Part 1: Sheet [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 11949] ISO 4977-2:1984 Part 2: Coil for subsequent cutting into sheets [Withdrawn: replaced with ISO 11949]
=== Laboratory preparation === Rarely is there any interest in the synthesis of alkanes, since they are usually commercially available and less valued than virtually any precursor. The best-known method is hydrogenation of alkenes. Many C−X bonds can be converted to C−H bonds using lithium aluminium hydride, Clemmenson reduction, and other specialized routes. Hydrolysis of alkyl Grignard reagents and alkyl organolithium reagents gives alkanes.
For comparison with lower dosages, the suppression of circulating testosterone levels in men with a dosage of 100 mg/day oral CPA was 77% and with a dosage of 300 mg/week intramuscular CPA was 76%. Dosages of CPA of 12.5 to 25 mg/day have been used as a maintenance dosage for testosterone suppression in men with sexual deviance after initial administration of higher CPA dosages, without recurrence of symptoms. CPA is generally able to maximally suppress circulating testosterone levels by 70 to 80% in men. However, in spite of strong suppression of testosterone levels, CPA, at least by itself (e.g., without estrogen), is not usually able to reduce testosterone levels into the castrate/female range (<50 ng/dL) at any dosage, and testosterone levels generally remain just above it at levels of roughly 50 to 200 ng/dL. However, studies have reported that a very high dosage of CPA of 300 mg/day may suppress testosterone levels to around 50 ng/dL in men. CPA also suppresses estradiol levels in men, with one study finding about a 65% decrease in estradiol levels (from about 27 pg/mL to around 10 pg/mL) with 100 mg/day CPA. CPA has been found to maximally suppress testosterone and estradiol levels in young men within 7 days of continuous administration. Following discontinuation of CPA, the recovery of testosterone levels is variable and may require 14 days to 6 months for completion. An escape or recovery phenomenon, in which testosterone levels increase over time, has been observed with long-term CPA monotherapy.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It consists mainly of animal experiments and small clinical reports, with much of the clinical material published in Russian-language journals. Large independent trials are scarce. Separating reliable effects from chance findings is consequently difficult.
A fraction of an intranasal dose is thought to reach the central nervous system, and this route is favoured partly for that reason. The proportion is not well characterized. Direct measurement in humans remains difficult with current methods.
Raised BDNF and NGF expression has been reported across several animal studies, which makes the signal fairly consistent. Whether the same change occurs in humans at usable doses is not established. It is best treated as a working hypothesis rather than a confirmed clinical mechanism.
Semax is based on the ACTH(4-10) fragment, a seven-amino-acid segment of adrenocorticotropic hormone. The synthetic peptide retains the core sequence while removing regions associated with endocrine activity. This modification is intended to isolate effects on the nervous system.