Buy Semax UK For Lab Research

Semax Peptide | Buy Semax UK | ACTH(4-10) Analogue | Neuropeptide | Research Use Only

Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of ACTH(4-10) — the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro — developed to study the neurotrophin, neuroprotective, and cognitive-modulatory properties of the melanocortin system without any of the hormonal activity of full-length ACTH. In pre-clinical research, Semax rapidly elevates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its signalling receptor TrkB in the hippocampus, modulates dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems, and demonstrates consistent neuroprotective effects in ischaemia models. Buy Semax in the UK from Peptides Lab UK with >99% HPLC-verified purity, batch-specific COA, and fast UK dispatch for laboratory and in vitro research use only.

Distributed by Peptides Lab UK in lyophilised format for controlled laboratory research. Each batch is independently verified for purity. This compound is handled strictly in pre-clinical settings with no applications in human or veterinary medicine.

What Is Semax Peptide?

Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide derived from the N-terminal fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH 4-10), extended with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide to improve metabolic stability. It belongs to the short regulatory neuropeptide family and was first characterised in scientific literature in 1991 as part of neuropeptide research programmes exploring cognitive and neuroprotective mechanisms.

Unlike full-length ACTH, Semax is completely devoid of hormonal activity — it produces no corticosteroid release and has no effect on the adrenal axis. Its biological profile is entirely neurotropic, making it a highly selective research tool for studying BDNF/TrkB signalling, melanocortin receptor pharmacology, and neuroplasticity in the absence of endocrine confounding effects.

Semax’s name is derived from the Russian abbreviation for “seven amino acids” (СЕМь АминоКиСлот), reflecting its heptapeptide structure.

Also Known As

• ACTH(4-10) analogue
• ACTH(4-7)PGP
• Семакс (Russian)

How Does Semax Work?

BDNF and TrkB Upregulation

The most extensively documented mechanism of Semax in pre-clinical research is its rapid upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its primary signalling receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). A single intranasal application of Semax produced a 1.4-fold increase in hippocampal BDNF protein, a 1.6-fold increase in TrkB tyrosine phosphorylation, and a 3-fold increase in exon III BDNF mRNA levels in rats. This BDNF/TrkB axis governs synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation, and neuronal survival — making Semax a widely used tool for studying neurotrophin-mediated cognitive and neuroprotective processes.

NGF and Neurotrophin Gene Expression

Beyond BDNF, intranasal Semax application increases nerve growth factor (NGF) gene expression in the rat hippocampus, with region-specific effects also observed in the brainstem and cerebellum. These gene- and region-specific neurotrophin changes underpin much of Semax’s utility as a research compound for investigating neuroplasticity signalling across multiple brain regions simultaneously.

Serotonergic and Dopaminergic Modulation

Semax modulates both the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems in the brain. Research showed the extracellular striatal level of the serotonin metabolite 5-HIAA rose to approximately 180% within 1–4 hours of Semax administration in rodents, pointing to enhanced serotonergic activity. It also potentiates the dopamine-releasing effects of d-amphetamine on striatal dopamine and locomotor behaviour — establishing a role in monoaminergic neurotransmitter research.

Melanocortin Receptor Pharmacology

Evidence suggests Semax interacts with melanocortin receptors (MCRs) — the same receptor family engaged by endogenous ACTH fragments — though its exact receptor binding profile remains an active area of characterisation. Specific, time-dependent, and reversible binding of tritium-labelled Semax has been confirmed in rat basal forebrain membranes, confirming it acts at defined receptor sites.

Enkephalinase Inhibition

Semax has been shown to inhibit enzymes responsible for the degradation of enkephalins and other endogenous regulatory peptides, with an IC50 of approximately 10 μM — a mechanism also shared with the related neuropeptide Selank. This property makes Semax a useful compound for studying endogenous opioid peptide biology and regulatory peptide metabolism.

Hippocampal Calcium Signalling

Recent research has confirmed that Semax significantly increases the frequency of spontaneous intracellular calcium fluctuations in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 field — providing insight into the cellular targets and early-stage dynamics of Semax’s interaction with hippocampal neuronal networks. This calcium signalling activity is considered distinct from its neuroprotective mechanisms at acid-sensing ion channels.

What Does Semax Peptide Do in Research?

In laboratory and pre-clinical settings, Semax has been studied as a leading neuropeptide research tool for investigating:

• BDNF/TrkB signalling — hippocampal neurotrophin upregulation, synaptic plasticity, and long-term potentiation
• Nerve growth factor (NGF) biology — region-specific NGF gene expression in hippocampus, brainstem, and cortex
• Melanocortin receptor pharmacology — MCR ligand binding, signalling characterisation, and agonist profiling
• Serotonergic neurotransmission — 5-HIAA turnover, serotonin system modulation, and antidepressant-like research models
• Dopaminergic neurotransmission — dopamine release potentiation and monoaminergic interaction studies
• Neuroprotection models — ischaemia-reperfusion, cerebral blood flow restriction, and transcriptomic ischaemia responses
• Cognitive function and learning models — conditioned avoidance paradigms, memory formation, and hippocampal-dependent learning
• Neuroplasticity and synaptic biology — TrkB phosphorylation, long-term potentiation, and dendritic morphology
• Enkephalinase inhibition and opioid peptide metabolism — regulatory peptide degradation pathway research
• Hippocampal calcium dynamics — spontaneous intracellular Ca²⁺ fluctuations and neuronal excitability studies
• VEGF and angiogenic gene expression — Vegf-b and Vegf-d modulation in ischaemia models
• Neuroinflammation — interleukin and cytokine balance research in ischaemia-reperfusion contexts
• Comparative neuropeptide research — Semax vs Selank, Semax vs ACTH fragments, structure-activity relationships

What Do Studies Say About Semax Peptide?

BDNF/TrkB — The Key Neurotrophin Mechanism

The 2006 study by Dolotov et al. confirmed that a single intranasal dose of Semax in rats produced marked increases in hippocampal BDNF protein and TrkB receptor phosphorylation, alongside improved performance in conditioned avoidance testing — establishing BDNF/TrkB modulation as the primary candidate mechanism for Semax’s cognitive research profile and anchoring this compound as a BDNF-upregulating neuropeptide research tool.

Neurotrophin Gene Expression In Vivo

Research by Shadrina et al. confirmed that intranasal Semax application induces rapid, gene-specific and region-specific neurotrophin mRNA changes across the rat brain — including BDNF upregulation in the hippocampus, brainstem, and cerebellum — establishing a comprehensive transcriptional neurotrophin signature that goes beyond a single brain region or gene target.

Serotonergic and Dopaminergic Systems

Research by Vignisse et al. demonstrated that Semax activates striatal serotonergic systems — raising the extracellular 5-HIAA level to ~180% of baseline within 1–4 hours — and significantly potentiates d-amphetamine-induced dopamine release and locomotor activity, establishing its modulatory role across multiple monoamine neurotransmitter systems simultaneously.

Ischaemia and Neuroprotection

Transcriptomic analysis using RNA-Seq in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat models identified 394 differentially expressed genes following Semax treatment compared to saline controls at 24 hours post-ischaemia. The most pronounced effects were observed on VEGF-b and VEGF-d gene expression, with Semax opposing the direction of ischaemia-induced changes — positioning it as a key research tool for studying neuroprotective transcriptional responses to cerebral ischaemia.

Hippocampal Calcium Dynamics

The 2025 study by Kolbaev et al. confirmed that Semax significantly increases the frequency of spontaneous intracellular Ca²⁺ fluctuations in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, while having no significant effect on proton-stimulated calcium entry in cerebellar granule cells — establishing a regionally selective hippocampal neuronal target profile that informs future receptor biology research.

Key Cited Studies

• Dolotov OV et al. (2006) — Semax, an analogue of adrenocorticotropin (4-10), binds specifically and increases levels of BDNF protein in rat basal forebrain. J Neurochem 97(Suppl 1):82–86. PubMed ID: 16635254
• Shadrina MI et al. (2007) — Neurotrophin gene expression in rat brain under the action of Semax, an analogue of ACTH4-10. Neurosci Lett 419(3):201–205. DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.04.025
• Vignisse J et al. (2006) — Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue with nootropic properties, activates dopaminergic and serotoninergic brain systems in rodents. Neurochem Res 31(5):651–658. PubMed ID: 16362768
• Filippenkov IB et al. (2020) — Novel insights into the protective properties of ACTH(4-7)PGP (Semax) at the transcriptome level following cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion in rats. Genes (Basel) 11(6):681. DOI: 10.3390/genes11060681
• Kolbaev SN et al. (2025) — The effect of peptide Semax, an ACTH(4-10) analogue, on intracellular calcium dynamics in rat brain neurons. Bull Exp Biol Med 179:416–420. DOI: 10.1007/s10517-025-06501-z
• Koroleva SV & Myasoedov NF (2018) — Semax as a universal drug for therapy and research. Biol Bull 45(6):589–600. DOI: 10.1134/S1062359018060055

Semax vs Other Neuropeptide Research Compounds

Feature	Semax	Selank	BPC-157	Dihexa
Primary Mechanism	BDNF/TrkB upregulation, MCR modulation	Anxiolytic, GABAergic, enkephalinase inhibition	Angiogenesis, BPC receptor, nitric oxide	HGF/c-Met potentiation, BDNF downstream
Origin Peptide	ACTH(4-10) fragment + PGP	Tuftsin analogue	Body protection compound	Angiotensin IV analogue
Neurotrophin Upregulation	BDNF & NGF (hippocampus, brainstem)	BDNF (moderate)	BDNF (indirect)	HGF/c-Met (primary), BDNF (downstream)
Monoamine Modulation	Serotonin (strong), Dopamine (potentiation)	Serotonin, GABA	Dopamine (modest)	Minimal direct monoamine activity
Neuroprotection Evidence	Ischaemia, transcriptomic studies	Anxiety/stress models	Tissue repair, peripheral nerve	Cognitive ageing models
Hormonal Activity	None (no adrenal/ACTH activity)	None	None	None
BBB Penetration	Yes	Yes	Limited	Yes
Key Research Use	BDNF/TrkB, neuroplasticity, ischaemia	Anxiety, GABA/serotonin biology	Tissue repair, GI, angiogenesis	Synaptic plasticity, cognitive decline

Quality & Purity Assurance

Every batch of Semax from Peptides Lab UK is:

• >99% pure — HPLC and mass spectrometry verified
• Supplied with a full Certificate of Analysis (COA) on request
• Lyophilised powder for maximum stability and long shelf life
• Manufactured under strict, controlled laboratory conditions
• Consistent batch-to-batch quality for reproducible research results

Buy Semax UK — Product Specifications

Property	Detail
Full Name	Semax / ACTH(4-10) Analogue
Also Known As	ACTH(4-7)PGP, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro
Sequence	H-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro-OH
Amino Acids	7 (heptapeptide)
Molecular Weight	887.0 g/mol
Molecular Formula	C₃₇H₅₁N₉O₁₀S
Purity	>99% (HPLC verified)
Form	Lyophilised powder
Storage	Store dry at -20°C; protect from light
Solubility	Sterile water or bacteriostatic water

Semax Research Applications

Semax peptide UK is supplied strictly for the following in vitro and pre-clinical research uses:

• BDNF and TrkB upregulation, neurotrophin signalling, and hippocampal synaptic plasticity research
• NGF gene expression and region-specific neurotrophin modulation studies
• Melanocortin receptor binding and MCR pharmacology characterisation
• Serotonergic neurotransmission, 5-HIAA turnover, and antidepressant-like biology
• Dopaminergic system modulation and monoamine interaction research
• Cerebral ischaemia neuroprotection models and transcriptomic ischaemia-reperfusion studies
• Cognitive function and hippocampal-dependent memory research in rodent models
• Neuroinflammatory cytokine balance research — IL-10, TNF-α, IL-8 modulation
• Enkephalinase inhibition and regulatory peptide metabolism studies
• VEGF gene expression and angiogenic pathway research in ischaemia models
• Hippocampal calcium dynamics and CA1 neuronal excitability research
• Comparative neuropeptide structure-activity research — Semax vs Selank vs ACTH fragments

Why Buy Semax Peptide UK from Peptides Lab UK?

Peptides Lab UK is a trusted UK peptides supplier providing research-grade compounds verified by independent HPLC testing. When you buy Semax in the UK from us, you receive:

99% purity, HPLC and MS verified, third-party tested

• Full COA documentation per batch
• Fast same-day UK dispatch with tracked delivery
• Competitive pricing with bulk research discounts available
• Trusted by researchers across the UK and Europe

Related products: Selank | BPC-157 | Dihexa | TB-500 | SS-31 | CJC-1295 No DAC

Research Disclaimer

All products supplied by Peptides Lab UK are intended strictly for in vitro laboratory research and scientific study use only. They are not intended for human consumption, veterinary use, or any medical or therapeutic application. Semax is not a licensed medicine or drug and has not been approved by the MHRA, FDA, or any regulatory authority for use in humans or animals outside of jurisdictions where it holds existing regulatory status. All research citations on this page relate to pre-clinical studies and peer-reviewed pharmacological research and do not constitute a claim of safety or therapeutic efficacy. Peptides Lab UK accepts no liability for any misuse of research compounds. By purchasing, you confirm that you are a qualified researcher and that the product will be used solely within a controlled laboratory environment in compliance with all applicable UK laws, regulations, and institutional guidelines.