Semax

Semax
Clinical data
Trade names	Semax
Other names	L-Methionyl-L-α-glutamylhistidyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-prolylglycyl-L-proline, (Pro8,Gly9,Pro10)ACTH-(4-10), H-Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro-OH, MEHFPGP, H-MEHFPGP-OH
ATC code	N06BX ;
Legal status
Legal status	US: Not FDA approved; unscheduled;
Identifiers
	IUPAC name (2S)-1-[2-{[(2S)-1-[(2S)-2-{[2-{[(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-amino-4-methylsulfanylbutanoyl]amino}-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]pyrrolidine-2-carbonyl]amino}acetyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid;
CAS Number	80714-61-0 ; 4037-01-8;
PubChem CID	122178;
ChemSpider	108969;
UNII	I5FAL2585H;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID601001439 ;
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C37H51N9O10S
Molar mass	813.93 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES O=C(N[C@@H](CCC(O)=O)C(N[C@@H](CC1=CNC=N1)C(N[C@@H](CC2=CC=CC=C2)C(N3[C@@H](CCC3)C(NCC(N4[C@@H](CCC4)C(O)=O)=O)=O)=O)=O)=O)[C@H](CCSC)N;
	InChI InChI=1S/C37H51N9O10S/c1-57-16-13-24(38)32(50)42-25(11-12-31(48)49)33(51)43-26(18-23-19-39-21-41-23)34(52)44-27(17-22-7-3-2-4-8-22)36(54)46-15-5-9-28(46)35(53)40-20-30(47)45-14-6-10-29(45)37(55)56/h2-4,7-8,19,21,24-29H,5-6,9-18,20,38H2,1H3,(H,39,41)(H,40,53)(H,42,50)(H,43,51)(H,44,52)(H,48,49)(H,55,56)/t24-,25-,26?,27-,28-,29-/m0/s1; Key:AFEHBIGDWIGTEH-CXFOGXNKSA-N;

Semax (Russian: СЕМАКС), an abbreviation of "seven amino acids", Russian: СЕМь АминоКиСлот) is a medication which is used in Eastern Europe for the treatment of a broad range of conditions like brain trauma but predominantly for its claimed nootropic, neuroprotective, and neurorestorative effects.

The mechanism of action of Semax is unknown. It might interact with certain melanocortin receptors or inhibit enkephalinase enzymes. Chemically, Semax is a peptide and a synthetic analogue of a fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Semax was first described in scientific literature in 1991. Although used as a prescription drug in Russia, Semax has not been evaluated, approved for use, or marketed in most other countries. The drug is widely sold by online vendors and used as a purported nootropic (cognitive enhancer).