If you have been reading about intranasal route and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Updated 2026-01-13. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
Regulatory status varies sharply by country. Semax is registered for medical use in Russia, where it appears in formularies as a nasal solution, and it also holds registration in a small number of neighbouring states. It has no approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency, and it is not a scheduled controlled substance in most jurisdictions. Elsewhere it circulates mainly as laboratory material, so purity documentation comes from suppliers rather than from a national pharmacopoeia.
Semax is a synthetic peptide created in the Soviet Union during the early 1980s by researchers working in Moscow. It was built from the short adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment known as ACTH(4-10), and the chain was then extended with three additional amino acids. The resulting molecule was named semax and entered clinical use in Russia in 1994. It is generally described as a nootropic and neuroprotective agent rather than as a hormone analogue.
The parent fragment ACTH(4-10) carries the sequence Met-Glu-His-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly. Semax replaces the arginine and tryptophan positions with a proline-glycine-proline tail, giving Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro. That change removes residues associated with adrenal stimulation, so the peptide does not drive cortisol release the way full ACTH does. This distinction shapes how the compound is grouped in the literature, where it sits with neuropeptides and peptide neuromodulators rather than with corticosteroids.
Regulatory status differs sharply between jurisdictions. In Russia the peptide is registered as a prescription nasal preparation, while agencies such as the United States Food and Drug Administration have not approved it for any indication. Products sold elsewhere are typically labeled for laboratory research only, and such labels shift responsibility for safe handling to the purchaser. Because the same name covers pharmaceutical-grade nasal drops and bulk research powder, identity and purity documentation becomes the main practical concern when comparing sources.
Semax is a synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide whose sequence extends the ACTH(4-10) fragment with a C-terminal proline-glycine-proline tripeptide. The commonly cited sequence is Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, giving a molecular formula near C37H51N9O10S and a molecular weight close to 813.9 g/mol. It belongs to the broader class of synthetic ACTH fragments studied for central nervous system effects rather than for adrenal steroid stimulation. In practice the material appears as a lyophilized white powder for laboratory work or as a dilute saline solution in clinical settings.
Development is attributed to researchers at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow during the early 1980s, building on earlier Soviet work with ACTH fragments. Russian regulatory approval followed for intranasal use, and the compound has remained commercially available there for decades. Most published human data originate from Russian and, later, some Eastern European clinical reports, which are not always accessible in English translation. Outside that region the material is generally handled as a research chemical rather than a licensed medicine.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical class | Synthetic heptapeptide | Analogue of the ACTH(4-10) fragment |
| Amino acid sequence | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro | Single-letter form MEHFPGP |
| Molecular formula | C37H51N9O10S | Free peptide, nominal mass near 814 Da |
| First registration | 1994, Russia | Nasal formulation for neurological indications |
| Typical purity grade | 95% or higher by HPLC | Research material; higher grades used as reference standards |
Parvocellular oxytocin cells, which project mainly to the brainstem and spinal cord. These neurons are thought to have a role in gastric reflexes and penile erection, Parvocellular vasopressin cells, which project to many points in the hypothalamus and limbic system, as well as to the brainstem and spinal cord (these are involved in blood pressure and temperature regulation), and brown fat thermogenesis. Parvocellular CRH neurons, which are thought to be involved in stress-related behaviors.
=== Mental health === The longitudinal study Excess Mortality from Suicide and other External Causes of Death Among Women with Cosmetic Breast Implants (2007), reported that women who sought breast implants are almost 3.0 times as likely to commit suicide as are women who have not sought breast implants. Compared to the standard suicide-rate for women of the general populace, the suicide-rate for women with augmented breasts remained alike until 10-years post-implantation, yet it increased to 4.5 times greater at the 11-year mark, and so remained until the 19-year mark, when it increased to 6.0 times greater at 20-years post-implantation. Moreover, additional to the suicide risk, women with breast implants also faced a 3 times greater death risk from alcoholism and drug abuse (prescription and recreational). Although seven studies have found correlation between undergoing a breast augmentation procedure to a greater suicide rate in women, the research indicates that augmentation surgery does not increase the suicide risk. It is the psychopathologically afflicted woman who is likelier to undergo breast augmentation. Moreover, the study Effects of Breast Augmentation Mammoplasty on Self-Esteem and Sexuality: A Quantitative Analysis (2007), reported that the women attributed their improved self-esteem, self-image, and increased, satisfactory sexual functioning to having undergone breast augmentation; the cohort, aged 21–57 years, averaged post-operative self-esteem increases ranging from 20.7 to 24.9 points on the 30-point Rosenberg self-esteem scale.
Calcium is released from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the sarcomere when a muscle is stimulated to contract. This calcium uncovers the actin-binding sites. When the muscle no longer needs to contract, the calcium ions are pumped from the sarcomere and back into storage in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. There are over 600 skeletal muscles in the human body (exact number varies by counting method) and skeletal muscle makes up ~40% of human mass.
== Temperature instrumentation == Oil, gas and petrochemical processes are undertaken at specific temperatures. Measurement of temperature of fluids in the petrochemical industry is undertaken by temperature elements (TE). These can be Thermocouples or Platinum Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs). The latter are used for their good temperature response. Local temperature indicators (TI) are located on the inlet and outlet streams of heat exchangers to monitor the performance of the exchanger. In industrial applications gaseous or liquid fluids may be heated or cooled. This duty is undertaken in a heat exchanger, whereby the fluid is heated or cooled by heat transfer with a second fluid such as water, glycol, hot oil or another process fluid (the heating or cooling medium). Temperature control is used to maintain the desired temperature of the first fluid. A temperature sensor transmitter (TT) is located in the first fluid at its outlet from the heat exchanger. This measured temperature is fed to the temperature controller (TIC) where it is compared to the desired set point temperature. The output of the controller, which is related to the difference between the measured variable and the set point, is fed to a control valve (TCV) in the second fluid to adjust the flow of the heating or cooling medium. In the case of a fluid being cooled, if the temperature of the fluid rises the temperature controller acts to open the TCV increasing the flow of the cooling medium which increases the heat transfer and reduces the temperature of the first fluid.
=== Positive symptoms === Positive symptoms are those for which function is gained: paresthesias, increased sensitivity, pain, muscle spasms, fasciculations. The symptoms represent hyperexcitability of a nerve where a signal is sent along a nerve due to a lower threshold for activation resulting in spontaneous signals. Demyelination can cause positive sensory symptoms such as pain due to increased ectopic firing. Demyelinated nerve tissue has been found to have a lower activation threshold for sending a signal, specifically for mechanosensitivity (e.g. light touch). While is some debate about the role of central nervous system sensitization in painful entrapment neuropathies, the success of peripheral nerve blocks suggests a peripheral nerve origin of this neuropathic pain.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Brylcreem () is a British brand of hair styling products for men. The first Brylcreem product was a hair cream created in 1928 by County Chemicals at the Chemico Works in Bradford Street, Birmingham, England, and is the flagship product of the brand. The cream is an emulsion of water and mineral oil stabilised with beeswax. It is notable for the high shine it provides, which spawned the name of the product, stemming from "brilliantine" and "cream".
The acyl carrier protein (ACP), aryl carrier protein (ArCP), and the peptidyl carrier protein (PCP) are a family of protein cofactors that participate in fatty acid (acyl), polyketide (acyl and aryl), and nonribosomal peptide (peptidyl) biosynthesis. The growing molecule is bound to the A(r)/PCP via a thioester derived from the distal thiol of a 4'-phosphopantetheine (PPant) moiety. A(r)/PCPs are found in bacteria and eukaryotes (including humans) alike. The E. coli version (EcacpP) is the best studied. In E. coli, the ACP is one of the most abundant cytosolic proteins at 0.25% of the total soluble protein (by molecule count). It is small, very acidic, and very soluble. EcacpP works as a cofactor in the synthesis of both long and short chain fatty acids in the bacterium. It interacts with fatty acid synthase proteins that "flips" the growing fatty acid chain out of the ACP's internal cavity and modifies it. This kind of setup where the ACP exists as a free-floating protein is called Type II. An alternative is the Type I system, where a large protein contains several synthase domains as well as its own ACP domain. The ACP domain is pass around by the synthase domains to build a molecule. Polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetases interact with their carrier proteins in a similar way. There is a similar distinction in how they are organized into type I and type II. Plant ACPs participate in the biosynthesis of fatty acids, exploited by humans in the form of vegetable oils.
=== Allergy diagnosis === Basophils are easily isolated from venous blood and present good "indicator cells" of an IgE-mediated allergic response based on the upregulation of activation markers such as CD63 and/or CD203c upon suspect allergen stimulation. Therefore, the BAT serves to confirm IgE-mediated allergy following uncertain results from classical testing based on anamnesis, skin testing or specific IgE results. More recently, BAT has also been used for the monitoring of successful allergen immunotherapy (desensitization) to differentiate short-term desensitization versus sustained unresponsiveness to the allergen.
Methamphetamine hydrochloride dispensed in the United States is required to include a boxed warning regarding its potential for recreational misuse and addiction liability. Desoxyn Gradumet was an extended-release form of the drug. It is no longer produced.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
== Analytical sensitivity and specificity == "Analytical sensitivity" is defined as the smallest amount of substance in a sample that can accurately be measured by an assay (synonymously to detection limit), and "analytical specificity" is defined as the ability of an assay to measure one particular organism or substance, rather than others. These definitions are different from diagnostic sensitivity and diagnostic specificity, which are measures of how well a test can identify true positives and true negatives, respectively.
Hypersensitivity to CPA or any of the other components of the medication Pregnancy, lactation, and breastfeeding Puberty (except if being used to treat precocious puberty or delay puberty) Liver diseases and liver dysfunction Chronic kidney disease Dubin–Johnson syndrome and Rotor syndrome History of jaundice or persistent pruritus during pregnancy History of herpes during pregnancy Previous or existing liver tumors (only if not due to metastases from prostate cancer) Previous or existing meningioma, hyperprolactinemia, or prolactinoma Wasting syndromes (except in inoperable prostate cancer) Severe depression Previous or existing thromboembolic processes, as well as stroke and myocardial infarction Severe diabetes with vascular changes Sickle-cell anemia When CPA is used in combination with an estrogen, contraindications for birth control pills should also be considered.
== Veterinary uses == A number of veterinary medicine teaching hospitals are participating in a long-term clinical study examining the effect of rapamycin on the longevity of dogs. A clinical trial led by NC State College of Veterinary Medicine (HALT), run at a number of veterinary hospitals across the US, found that rapamycin reverses the effects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. In March 2025, the US Food and Drug Administration announced conditional approval of sirolimus delayed-release tablets (Felycin-CA1) for the management of ventricular hypertrophy in cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is the first product approved for use in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy for any indication. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats causes thickening of the heart's left ventricle. It is the most common heart disease in cats and is one of the most common causes of death in cats. While the cause is unknown in most cases, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is associated with a genetic mutation in certain breeds, such as Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Persians. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease. Cats in the subclinical phase have thickening of their heart wall but do not show clinical symptoms of the disease yet. Cats may live for years in the subclinical phase, while others may progress to congestive heart failure, arterial thromboembolism, or sudden death.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Registered medical products are most often 0.1% nasal drops. Research suppliers ship lyophilized powder, usually in milligram quantities, which is dissolved before use. The active peptide is the same in both cases; presentation and excipients differ.
No. The peptide is synthetic, although it is modelled on a fragment of a naturally occurring hormone. ACTH(4-10) is generated when ACTH is cleaved, but the Pro-Gly-Pro extension is not a known endogenous sequence. It is therefore a designed analogue rather than a natural metabolite.
The label reflects reported effects on attention, memory and recovery after neurological injury in regional clinical reports. Those reports are mostly small and have not been widely replicated outside the region. The classification is descriptive and does not imply a single defined mechanism.
It is a short synthetic peptide built from seven amino acids: methionine, glutamic acid, histidine, phenylalanine and three prolines. The sequence derives from the 4-10 fragment of adrenocorticotropic hormone with an added proline-glycine-proline tail. No plant or animal extract is involved; the material is produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis.