PeptideTreatments
Reviewed by Peptide Treatments Medical Advisory Board

Semax: Research & Evidence

Emerging Evidence

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

Back to Semax overview

Research Summary

Semax is approved in Russia and listed on Russia's List of Vital & Essential Drugs (2011) for ischemic stroke treatment and cognitive disorders. Russian clinical data includes an RCT of approximately 200 subjects for ischemic stroke and over 500 total human subjects across multiple trials. Western verification is limited — most studies are Russian-language. The ADDF (Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation) has reviewed Semax, noting strong preclinical data but minimal Western clinical evidence.

Evidence by Indication (3 indications)

Indication Tier Trials Summary
Stroke recovery Tier B 6 Approved in Russia for cerebrovascular conditions with ~200-subject RCT
Cognitive enhancement Tier C 8 Russian clinical trials show cognitive improvement; limited Western replication
Neuroprotection Tier C 10 Consistent preclinical BDNF data; human outcome data limited to Russian sources

Graded using our evidence tier methodology.

Research Gap Score /10

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

Citations (9 sources)

  1. 1. Modulation of neuropathological pathways by bioactive peptides and proteins/polypeptides: Targeting oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases Study

    (2025), Neuropeptides

  2. 2. Semax peptide targets the mu opioid receptor gene Oprm1 to promote deubiquitination and functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female mice Study

    (2025), British journal of pharmacology

  3. 3. The Effect of Peptide Semax, an ACTH(4-10) Analogue, on Intracellular Calcium Dynamics in Rat Brain Neurons Study

    (2025), Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine

  4. 4. Synthetic Adrenocorticotropic Peptides Modulate the Expression Pattern of Immune Genes in Rat Brain following the Early Post-Stroke Period Study

    (2023), Genes

  5. 5. Synthetic corticotropins and the GABA-receptor system: Direct and delayed effects Study

    (2023), Chemical biology & drug design

  6. 6. Semax, a Synthetic Regulatory Peptide, Affects Copper-Induced Abeta Aggregation and Amyloid Formation in Artificial Membrane Models Study

    (2022), ACS chemical neuroscience

  7. 7. Semax, synthetic ACTH(4-10) analogue, attenuates behavioural and neurochemical alterations following early-life fluvoxamine exposure in white rats Study

    (2021), Neuropeptides

  8. 8. Experimental Substantiation of Application of Semax as a Modulator of Immune Reaction on the Model of Social Stress Study

    (2019), Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine

  9. 9. The Use of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Testing Neuroprotective Activity of Pharmacological Compounds Study

    (2019), Biochemistry. Biokhimiia