What Is Selank? Benefits, Research & Safety

Selank was developed in the 1990s at the Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Russian Academy of Sciences under the direction of Professor Nikolay Myasoedov. The development was based on tuftsin, a naturally occurring tetrapeptide fragment of IgG that had known immunomodulatory properties. Researchers modified tuftsin by adding a glyproline sequence (Gly-Pro) to its C-terminus, which significantly improved the peptide's metabolic stability without eliminating its biological activity. This modified peptide was designated Selank. During preclinical development, researchers discovered that Selank possessed unexpected anxiolytic properties in addition to its immunomodulatory effects. Animal studies demonstrated anti-anxiety effects comparable to benzodiazepines but with a different side effect profile. Clinical trials in Russia evaluated Selank for anxiety disorders and neurasthenia, leading to its approval as a pharmaceutical product. It has been marketed in Russia since the early 2000s, typically as a nasal spray formulation. Research has continued to explore Selank's mechanisms of action, effects on neurotransmitter systems, and potential applications beyond approved indications.