[Efficacy and possible mechanisms of action of a new peptide anxiolytic selank in the therapy of generalized anxiety disorders and neurasthenia].
Zozulia. A A AA; Neznamov. G G GG; Siuniakov. T S TS; Kost. N V NV; Gabaeva. M V MV; Sokolov. O Iu OIu; Serebriakova. E V EV; Siranchieva. O A OA; Andriushenko. A V AV; Telesheva. E S ES; Siuniakov. S A SA; Smulevich. A B AB; Miasoedov. N F NF; Seredenin. S B SB
Key Findings
- Selank reduced anxiety similarly to medazepam
- Selank showed additional anti‑fatigue and mild psychostimulant effects
- Selank increased low blood leu‑enkephalin levels, which correlated with symptom severity
Practical Outcomes
- Selank may be a viable alternative to traditional anti‑anxiety drugs for those seeking both calming and energizing effects, possibly working through enkephalin pathways. However, the study lacks detailed dosing guidance and larger‑scale confirmation, so cautious trial and monitoring are advised.
Summary
In a small clinical trial, the peptide selank lowered anxiety about as well as the benzodiazepine medazepam, but it also helped reduce fatigue and gave a mild boost in energy. The researchers saw that patients with anxiety had low blood levels of a natural pain‑relief molecule (leu‑enkephalin), and selank treatment raised those levels, especially in the anxiety group.
Abstract
Sixty-two patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and neurasthenia were studied. The effect of selank (30 patients) was compared to that of medazepam (32 patients). Patient's state was assessed with psychometric scales (Hamilton, Zung, CGI). Enkephalin activity in the blood serum was measured as well. The anxiolytic effects of both drugs were similar but selank had also antiasthenic and psychostimulant effects. The clinical-biological study revealed that patients with GAD and neurasthenia had the decreased level of tau(1/2) leu-enkephalin which was correlated with disease duration, severity of symptoms related to anxiety and asthenia and autonomic disorders. The increase of this parameter and stronger positive correlations with anxiety level were observed during the treatment with selank mostly in patients with GAD.
Study Information
pubmed
2008