SELANK
Synthetic tuftsin analog peptide with anxiolytic and nootropic effects, developed in Russia and used clinically there.
Selank has been studied primarily in Russian preclinical and limited clinical research. Human fMRI data (52 participants) show altered resting-state functional connectivity between the right amygdala and temporal cortex within 5-20 minutes of intranasal administration. Animal studies demonstrate anxiolytic effects comparable to diazepam, attenuation of morphine withdrawal signs, protection against ethanol-induced memory impairment via BDNF regulation, and reduction of stress-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Gene expression studies confirm modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission genes. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials outside Russia are lacking, and most evidence comes from small animal models and in vitro studies. The peptide is approved for clinical use in Russia but lacks regulatory approval in most other countries.