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Selank is a synthetic derivative of the tetrapeptide tuftsin that contains a proline-glycine-proline sequence at the C-terminus and has anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory activities. It increases the amplitude and discharge rate of inhibitory postsynaptic currents of neurons in the rat hippocampal CA1 region when used at a concentration of 1 μM. It decreases the level of affective responses and the number of erroneous escape attempts in rats in an acute stress situation, increases orientational-investigative responses of rats in an unfamiliar situation, and reduces the time mice spend immobile in the forced swim test. It increases locomotor activity of high-anxiety Balb/c, but not C57Bl/6, mice in the open field test. Selank (0.01 mg/kg) decreases verticalization induced by apomorphine (Item No. 16094) in mice. It also decreases expression of the inflammation-related genes Il2rg and Xcr1 in mouse spleen after 90 minutes when administered at a dose of 100 μg/kg.

Selank peptide has pronounced anxiolytic activity and acts as a stable neuropsychotropic, antidepressant, and antistress drug that relieves aggression and fear reaction in different animal species. It is often prescribed for its anxiolytic properties, immune improvement, gastric protection, and with opioid and alcohol withdrawal/ dependence. It also has a nootropic action, which positively influences the formation of memory and learning processes, and marked immunomodulatory activity.

It is known that the classical benzodiazepines act via gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors. They enhance the GABA effect by allosteric modulation, which increases the frequency of opening of channels for chlorine ions. The Selank action mechanism may be related to its ability to affect the performance of the GABAergic system.