PeptideTreatments
Reviewed by Peptide Treatments Medical Advisory Board

Selank: Research & Evidence

Emerging Evidence

Published research, clinical trial data, and evidence grading for Selank across studied indications.

Back to Selank overview

Research Summary

Selank is approved in Russia for generalized anxiety disorder and neurasthenia, with an RCT of approximately 100 subjects showing anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines. The key claim — benzodiazepine-comparable efficacy without dependence — is based primarily on Russian data with limited Western independent verification. Most mechanism data derives from animal studies showing GABA modulation, neurotransmitter balance effects, and gene expression changes.

Evidence by Indication (3 indications)

Indication Tier Trials Summary
Generalized anxiety Tier C 4 Russian clinical trials show anxiolytic effects comparable to benzodiazepines without sedation; limited Western verification
Cognitive enhancement Tier C 2 Limited evidence for memory and learning improvement from preclinical models
Immunomodulation Tier D 0 Tuftsin-based mechanism theoretical; no human outcome trials

Graded using our evidence tier methodology.

Research Gap Score /10

Higher score = larger gap between therapeutic potential and available clinical evidence.

Citations (6 sources)

  1. 1. Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia Clinical Trial

    Seredenin SB, et al. (2008), Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova

  2. 2. Selank combination therapy with diazepam in anxiety disorders Study

    Various (2009), Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova

  3. 3. Sedative-Hypnotic Agents That Impact Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptors: Focus on Flunitrazepam, Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid, Phenibut, and Selank Study

    (2021), Journal of clinical pharmacology

  4. 4. Selank, Peptide Analogue of Tuftsin, Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Memory Impairment by Regulating of BDNF Content in the Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex in Rats Study

    (2019), Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine

  5. 5. Peptide-based Anxiolytics: The Molecular Aspects of Heptapeptide Selank Biological Activity Study

    (2018), Protein and peptide letters

  6. 6. Tuftsin - Properties and Analogs Study

    (2017), Current medicinal chemistry