Study summary · research use only
[Nootropic and analgesic effects of Semax following different routes of administration]
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This study in white rats examined nootropic and analgesic effects of the heptapeptide Semax (MEHFPGP), a fragment analogue of ACTH(4-10), following intraperitoneal and intranasal administration at different doses. Learning was assessed using a passive avoidance task, and pain sensitivity using the Randall-Selitto paw-withdrawal test. Semax was reported to exert nootropic and analgesic activity following intraperitoneal administration, with differing dose-response curves for each effect. Following intranasal administration, Semax was reported as more potent for learning improvement than after intraperitoneal administration, but did not affect pain sensitivity intranasally, unlike after intraperitoneal dosing. The authors suggested these findings indicate different mechanisms and brain structures underlie the nootropic and analgesic effects of Semax.
Abstract
Heptapeptide Semax (MEHFPGP) is the fragment of ACTH(4-10) analogue with prolonged neurotropic activity. The aim of the present work was to study the Semax effects on learning capability and pain sensitivity in white rats following intraperitoneal and intranasal administration in different doses. Semax nootropic effects were studied in the test of acquisition of passive avoidance task. Pain sensitivity was estimated in Randall-Selitto paw-withdrawal test. It was shown that Semax exerts nootropic and analgesic activities following intraperitoneal administration. Analysis of dependence of these effects on dose resulted in different dose-response curves. Following intranasal administration, Semax was more potent in learning improvement compared to intraperitoneal administration. The peptide failed to affect the animal pain sensitivity following intranasal administration as opposed to intraperitoneal administration. The data obtained suggest different mechanisms and brain structures involved in realization of the nootropic and analgesic effects of Semax.
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