ACTH analog raises a handful of sensible questions. This page answers them in order, starting with the fundamentals and moving to applications.
This page was last updated on 2026-07-22 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
The proposed mechanism centres on neurotrophic signalling rather than direct receptor activation. Semax is reported to increase expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in several brain regions, and to shift the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems. Interaction with melanocortin receptors has been suggested because of the parent ACTH fragment. Many of these findings come from rodent studies, and the extent to which they translate to human physiology remains an open question.
Scientific literature on semax is unevenly distributed. A substantial share of published work originates from a small number of laboratories in Russia, while independent replication elsewhere is limited. Human data consist mostly of small trials with short follow-up, and several reported outcomes rely on subjective rating scales. Questions about how much intact peptide reaches the central nervous system after nasal administration, and how long it persists there, are still unresolved. The compound is best described as an active research subject rather than a settled pharmacological agent.
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide with the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. It was derived from the ACTH(4-10) fragment, a short segment of adrenocorticotropic hormone that lacks the hormonal activity associated with the full-length peptide. Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow developed the compound during the 1980s. It has been registered as a pharmaceutical product in Russia and several neighbouring countries, where it is supplied as a nasal solution, and it is also sold internationally as a research chemical.
Solid semax is typically supplied as a lyophilised powder that is hygroscopic and sensitive to moisture, light, and repeated temperature cycling. Long-term storage of the dry peptide is generally recommended at approximately -20 degrees Celsius, while shorter working periods may use refrigeration at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Vials should remain tightly closed and desiccated when brought to room temperature, because condensation can damage the material before it is weighed. Dividing a batch into aliquots is preferable to thawing one container repeatedly.
Dissolution is normally performed in water, phosphate-buffered saline, or normal saline, since the peptide is freely soluble in aqueous media and is rarely handled with strong organic solvents. Solution pH should be kept near neutral, because extreme acidity or alkalinity accelerates backbone hydrolysis and encourages oxidation of the methionine side chain. Once dissolved, the material is less stable than the dry powder and is commonly divided into single-use portions and frozen. Buffers containing primary amines, such as Tris, are often avoided because of possible side reactions.
Purity assessment relies mainly on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, which separates the target heptapeptide from truncated sequences, deletion analogues, and oxidised forms. Mass spectrometry, usually coupled to liquid chromatography, confirms identity through the expected molecular ion and reveals modifications such as methionine sulfoxide formation. Amino acid analysis can verify composition, and tandem mass spectrometry supports sequence confirmation. Ultraviolet detection near 254 to 280 nanometres is convenient because the phenylalanine and histidine residues absorb in that region. Nuclear magnetic resonance is rarely used for routine release testing.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C37H51N9O10S | Calculated for the free peptide |
| Molar mass | 813.9 g/mol | Anhydrous free base |
| Peptide class | Synthetic heptapeptide | ACTH(4-10) analogue |
| Parent fragment | ACTH(4-10) | Adrenocorticotropic hormone segment |
| Developmental origin | Institute of Molecular Genetics, Moscow | Work began in the 1980s |
Russian regulatory authorities approved the peptide for nasal administration, and it remains listed in the national pharmacopoeia under several trade names. Documented indications include acute ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, traumatic brain injury, and certain ophthalmological and neurological conditions. Physicians also prescribe it for cognitive complaints in older patients, although the evidence base for that use is thinner. Outside Russia and a few neighboring states, the substance is not an approved medicine and is sold instead as a research chemical.
Later generations of the molecule include an N-acetylated form and an amidated form, both marketed online alongside the parent peptide. These variants differ in terminal chemistry and stability, and they are frequently discussed in the same breath even though they have not been compared in controlled trials. Supply outside formal healthcare systems comes largely from laboratories that synthesize peptides to order. Purity and identity of these materials vary widely, and no single body oversees the international trade.
Pharmacokinetic accounts emphasize rapid breakdown. After intravenous dosing the intact peptide disappears from blood within minutes, and nasal delivery produces low but measurable concentrations. Metabolites rather than the parent molecule may account for part of the observed activity, although the relative contribution is unresolved. Dosing in the literature varies widely and no optimal schedule has been agreed. These gaps are regularly cited as a reason the findings have not produced broad clinical adoption beyond the original research setting.
Proposed mechanisms center on neurotrophic signaling rather than on classical melanocortin receptor activation. Rodent experiments have reported shifts in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor after administration, together with changes in the associated receptor systems. Several authors argue that the peptide acts largely through its degradation products and their interaction with peptidergic pathways, but this remains a hypothesis rather than a settled finding. No single molecular target has been identified in a way that the field broadly accepts.
Development took place during the 1980s at institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where peptide fragments of ACTH were screened for cognitive and neuroprotective effects. The compound received regulatory approval in Russia as a nasal preparation, marketed for conditions such as ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attacks, and optic nerve disorders. Registration in other countries has not followed. Most published clinical reports originate from a small number of Russian research groups, and independent replication outside that setting remains limited. The regulatory status therefore differs sharply between Russia and the rest of the world.
Laboratory work points toward modulation of neurotrophic signaling, particularly expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor in hippocampal tissue. Studies also describe effects on monoamine turnover, inflammatory mediators, and oxidative markers. These observations come mainly from animal models and cultured cells, so the causal chain in humans is not firmly established. Whether the reported molecular changes translate into measurable clinical benefit is an open question. Reviews generally present the mechanism as plausible rather than demonstrated.
=== National Assembly === Noboa was elected to the National Assembly in the 2021 legislative elections, representing Santa Elena, for the United Ecuadorian political movement. He was inaugurated on 14 May in the same year. In that same May, he was appointed chair of the Economic Development Commission. His political ideology in the National Assembly been described as both centrist and centre-right. Noboa was absent during President Lasso's impeachment trial, however a proxy voted in the affirmative. In March 2023, he was in favor of the muerte cruzada, in the face of the rejection and filing of the Investment Law, presented by the government of Guillermo Lasso. On 17 May 2023, Lasso invoked muerte cruzada, dissolving the National Assembly and ending Noboa's tenure as an assemblyman.
== Involvement with other quality associations == RQA regulatory collaborates with its US counterpart SQA and attends SQA's annual meeting along with running a global conference every three years with both Society of Quality Assurance and Japan Society of Quality Assurance. A European Conference is also held every three years with the French association SoFAq and the Germany association DGGF. The association also has a memorandum of understanding with JSQA (Japan), SQA (USA), GQMA (Germany), SoFAq (France) and SARQA (Sweden).
== Side effects == Clinical studies have found that deramciclane is well-tolerated in humans at dosages ranging between 0.2–150 mg. All reported side effects were mild-moderate with the most common side effect being headache and dizziness. No severe side effects were reported in any clinical trial, and no side effects were found to be dose-dependent. Trial participants showed no significant increases in liver enzyme activity and no changes in ECGs, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, HDL cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol levels. Another advantage to deramciclane is that it did not produce any withdrawal effects after long-term studies, like other anxiolytics do.
== Available forms == κ-Bungarotoxin naturally occurs in Bungarus multicinctus venom glands[11]. The polypeptide consists of 66 amino acids and is cross-linked by five disulfide bonds. This is similar to LS-III, a venom purified from Laticauda semifasciata[12]. κ-Bungarotoxin can form heterodimers, thereby creating κ-2-Bungarotoxin and κ-3-Bungarotoxin. These differences are also observed globally. Though both κ-2- and κ-3-bungarotoxin are derived from Bungarus multicinctus venom, these are prevalent in the province of Guangdong, China, whereas κ-bungarotoxin is found in the Taiwanese B. multicinctus. These forms might have an evolutionary advantage in each specific region. Another form of κ-bungarotoxin is the α-bungarotoxin. κ-Bungarotoxin exhibits a 47% structural homology to α-bungarotoxin, but has an even shorter COOH-terminal than LS-III. α-Bungarotoxin also consists of the amino acid tryptanophyl, which is not present in κ-bungarotoxin. α-Bungarotoxin binds with a 200 times stronger affinity to nicotinic receptors than κ-bungarotoxin. Lastly, β-bungarotoxin also resembles the bungarotoxin family. β-Bungarotoxin is a potent inhibitor of the transport system for choline on the presynaptic terminal. It differs in the fact that β-bungarotoxin does not bind to a receptor, but binds enzymatically. β-Bungarotoxin will bind to voltage-gated potassium channels, after which phospholipase A2-mediated destruction of membrane phospholipids occurs in the nerves.
The mental effects of GnRH modifiers are positive with treatment associated with significant improvements in multiple psychological measures, including global functioning, depression, and overall behavioral and/or emotional problems. In a two-year study published in January 2023, Chen et al. found that gender-affirming hormones for transgender and non-binary youth "improved appearance congruence and psychosocial functioning". Another study analyzing Dutch transgender youth completed by Catharina van der Loos et al. found that 98% of participants who started gender-affirming hormone treatment in youth continued using said treatment into adulthood. In February 2024, the American Psychological Association approved a policy statement supporting unobstructed access to health care and evidence-based clinical care for transgender, gender-diverse, and nonbinary children, adolescents, and adults, as well as opposing state bans and policies intended to limit access to such care. In May 2025, a two-year systematic review commissioned by the state of Utah as part of a ban on trans youth healthcare concluded that "The consensus of the evidence supports that the treatments are effective in terms of mental health, psychosocial outcomes, and the induction of body changes consistent with the affirmed gender in pediatric [gender dysphoria] patients. The evidence also supports that the treatments are safe in terms of changes to bone density, cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic changes, and cancer".
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The white shark is an apex predator that opportunistically feeds on fish, cephalopods (like squid), marine mammals, sea birds, and sea turtles. Diet differs based on size and age; individuals over 3 m (10 ft) can feed on marine mammals, while juveniles are limited to smaller prey like fish and cephalopods. White sharks prefer prey with high fat content, but even large individuals are recorded to eat low-fat foods. Marine mammals preyed on include seals and cetaceans (like dolphins). White sharks are also recorded to bite sea otters but do not usually consume them. The seasonal availability of seals drives white shark migration to certain locations. Targeted species include gray seals, harbor seals, northern elephant seals, California sea lions, Cape fur seals and New Zealand fur seals. White sharks mainly hunt seals by ambush and normally target newly weaned young, as they have thick blubber but are still small and inexperienced. Adults are more difficult to overpower and can injure the shark with their teeth and claws; bull elephant seals are particularly formidable, being as massive as adult white sharks. Some species will harass the shark to drive it away. Observations off California show that white sharks typically ambush seals from below, seizing them near the surface and dragging them under. The strike location often depends on the prey's anatomy: earless seals (like elephant seals) are usually struck near the head or hind flippers, while eared seals (like sea lions) are grabbed behind the torso.
In the New Testament, the Epistle to the Colossians sets out a partial list: "everything visible and everything invisible, Thrones, Dominions, Sovereignties, Powers – all things were created through him and for him." The Epistle to the Ephesians also lists several entities: "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come". In the 5th and 6th centuries, Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite set out a more elaborate hierarchy, consisting of three lists, each of three types:
The search for patterns in the variations of birds was attempted by many. Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling (1775–1854), his student Johann Baptist von Spix (1781–1826), and several others believed that a hidden and innate mathematical order existed in the forms of birds. They believed that a "natural" classification was available and superior to "artificial" ones. A particularly popular idea was the Quinarian system popularised by Nicholas Aylward Vigors (1785–1840), William Sharp Macleay (1792–1865), William Swainson, and others. The idea was that nature followed a "rule of five" with five groups nested hierarchically. Some had attempted a rule of four, but Johann Jakob Kaup (1803–1873) insisted that the number five was special, noting that other natural entities such as the senses also came in fives. He followed this idea and demonstrated his view of the order within the crow family. Where he failed to find five genera, he left a blank insisting that a new genus would be found to fill these gaps. These ideas were replaced by more complex "maps" of affinities in works by Hugh Edwin Strickland and Alfred Russel Wallace. A major advance was made by Max Fürbringer in 1888, who established a comprehensive phylogeny of birds based on anatomy, morphology, distribution, and biology. This was developed further by Hans Gadow and others. The Galapagos finches were especially influential in the development of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
==== MeSH D13.695.740 – pyrimidine nucleotides ==== MeSH D13.695.740.050 – apurinic acid MeSH D13.695.740.246 – cytosine nucleotides MeSH D13.695.740.246.050 – arabinofuranosylcytosine triphosphate MeSH D13.695.740.246.115 – cyclic cmp MeSH D13.695.740.246.150 – cytidine diphosphate MeSH D13.695.740.246.150.180 – cytidine diphosphate choline MeSH D13.695.740.246.150.210 – cytidine diphosphate diglycerides MeSH D13.695.740.246.370 – cytidine monophosphate MeSH D13.695.740.246.370.250 – cytidine monophosphate n-acetylneuraminic acid MeSH D13.695.740.246.400 – cytidine triphosphate MeSH D13.695.740.246.425 – deoxycytosine nucleotides MeSH D13.695.740.246.425.300 – deoxycytidine monophosphate MeSH D13.695.740.600 – pyrimidine dimers MeSH D13.695.740.706 – thymine nucleotides MeSH D13.695.740.706.788 – thymidine monophosphate MeSH D13.695.740.850 – uracil nucleotides MeSH D13.695.740.850.210 – deoxyuracil nucleotides MeSH D13.695.740.850.210.200 – fluorodeoxyuridylate MeSH D13.695.740.850.600 – uridine diphosphate MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677 – uridine diphosphate sugars MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.100 – uridine diphosphate n-acetylgalactosamine MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.120 – uridine diphosphate n-acetylglucosamine MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.150 – uridine diphosphate n-acetylmuramic acid MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.300 – uridine diphosphate galactose MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.350 – uridine diphosphate glucose MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.375 – uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid MeSH D13.695.740.850.600.677.800 – uridine diphosphate xylose MeSH D13.695.740.850.877 – uridine monophosphate MeSH D13.695.740.850.950 – uridine triphosphate
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Cleaning and sterilization === Sterilization is a standard practice to prevent development of bacteria and resulting illness, that is more effective than sanitization. The Australian government and the United Kingdom's National Health Service guidelines recommend sterilization of baby bottles and other equipment either by using a cold water sterilizing solution such as by Milton sterilizing fluid, by steam sterilizing, or by boiling. It is important to clean and sterilize all parts of a bottle including containers, teats, and screw caps. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggests that it may be sufficient to clean bottles with soap and water, in a dishwasher or by hand. This recommendation is based on the assumption that water supplies are clean and sanitation standards are high. Some states, such as Illinois, continue to recommend sterilization in addition to washing. Alberta, Canada recommends sterilizing bottles that are used with formula until an infant is at least 4 months old. However, there is evidence that bacteria such as E. coli can thrive in biofilms which form on the interior walls of the bottles. Gentle rinsing is not enough to prevent this. Even in developed areas, contamination continues to be a concern. In 2009 in the United Kingdom, researchers found contamination with Staphylococcus aureus in 4% of the baby bottles that parents reported were ready to fill after cleaning and disinfecting. In lower-resource settings, risks of exposure to dangerous respiratory and enteric infections are higher.
== Distribution and habitat == Considered to be a least-concern species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the coastal taipan occurs in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its range extends from north-western Western Australia, the Northern Territory, across Cape York Peninsula, and south in eastern Queensland into northern New South Wales (as far south as Grafton). The coastal taipan, though, is not found in regions where the maximum winter temperature is below 20 °C (68 °F). The second subspecies (O. s. canni ) is found throughout the island of New Guinea, with higher concentrations of the snake being found in the nation of Papua New Guinea. The coastal taipan can be found in a variety of different habitats, in warm, wetter, temperate to tropical coastal regions, monsoon forests, wet and dry sclerophyll forests and woodlands, and natural and artificial grassy areas, including grazing paddocks and disused rubbish tips. It appears to have become more common since the 1935 introduction of the cane toad. Whether this is because of reduced competition, as other large venomous snakes have declined after being poisoned by toads, or due to increased food supply of rodents is unclear. It has adapted well to sugarcane fields, where it thrives on the rodent population in the fields. In Far North Queensland in the Cape York Peninsula, it is usually found in open woodland areas. Thickets of introduced Lantana are also favoured habitat. The coastal taipan shelters in abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs, and piles of vegetation and litter.
The song's success benefited from appearing in the John Hughes films Sixteen Candles (1984) and Weird Science (1985) from the time period, and it would later appear in Amy Heckerling's Clueless (1995) and in the horror film Devil's Due (2014). Meanwhile, another General Public song, "Taking the Day Off" was featured in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986). For the follow-up album, White and Stoker were replaced by brothers Gianni and Mario Minardi on guitar and drums, respectively. Hand to Mouth was significantly less successful than their debut album, and the band dissolved soon after its release. The 1993 reissue of the album includes "Taking the Day Off" and other non-album songs and remixes. Roger and Wakeling worked on various solo projects for the next few years, before reconstituting General Public in 1994 to perform a cover version of the Staple Singers' hit "I'll Take You There" for the Threesome film soundtrack. The new General Public line-up retained only vocalists Wakeling and Roger from previous incarnations; the vocal duo was now backed by Michael Railton (keyboards), Randy Jacobs (guitars), Wayne Lothian (bass), Thomas White (drums), and Norman Jones (percussion). "I'll Take You There" was a Top 40 hit in the US and Canada and a minor hit in the UK (No. 73). Jacobs and White then left the group, and new drummer Dan Chase was brought in. The sextet released the album Rub It Better for Epic Records in 1995, recorded in the US with the aid of Jerry Harrison, the former keyboardist and guitarist for Talking Heads producing.
== Habitat and distribution == Amanita virosa is found in woodland in late summer and autumn, especially in association with beech and chestnut, but also with pine, spruce, and fir. As with most Amanita species, it forms a mutually beneficial, ectomycorrhizal relationship with the roots of these trees. Amanita virosa was originally described from Sweden and is known throughout Europe, with additional confirmed records from northern Asia (China). The name was formerly used for similar-looking agarics in North America, but research has shown that these American species, including the eastern Amanita bisporigera, the western A. ocreata, and the northern Amanita amerivirosa, are distinct.
==== Injection ==== Subjective effects not commonly shared with other methods of administration include a ringing in the ears moments after injection (usually when over 120 milligrams) lasting 2 to 5 minutes including tinnitus and audio distortion. This is colloquially referred to as a "bell ringer". In a study of cocaine users, the average time taken to reach peak subjective effects was 3.1 minutes. The euphoria passes quickly. Aside from the toxic effects of cocaine, there is also the danger of circulatory emboli from the insoluble substances that may be used to cut the drug. As with all injected illicit substances, there is a risk of the user contracting blood-borne infections if sterile injecting equipment is not available or used.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Semax is based on the ACTH(4-10) fragment, a seven-amino-acid segment of adrenocorticotropic hormone. The synthetic peptide retains the core sequence while removing regions associated with endocrine activity. This modification is intended to isolate effects on the nervous system.
It is registered for clinical use in Russia and a few other countries, typically as a nasal drop formulation. It does not hold approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency. Outside those markets it is generally handled as a research chemical.
The compound was developed in Moscow and the earliest studies were conducted there, so the primary literature is largely in Russian-language journals. Translation and indexing have been incomplete, which limits access for outside researchers. Independent groups have since published some work, but the total volume remains modest.
Dry powder is usually kept at about -20 degrees Celsius for long-term storage and at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for short working periods. Containers should stay sealed and protected from light and moisture to limit degradation.