Selank, a Peptide Analog of Tuftsin, Attenuates Aversive Signs of Morphine Withdrawal in Rats.
Konstantinopolsky. M A MA; Chernyakova. I V IV; Kolik. L G LG
Key Findings
- Selank at 0.3 mg/kg lowered the total withdrawal index by 39.6% in morphine‑dependent rats.
- It significantly reduced convulsive reactions, ptosis, and posture disorders during withdrawal.
- Selank increased the tactile sensitivity threshold 9‑fold, indicating reduced hyper‑sensitivity, though it was slightly less effective than diazepam (which gave a 13‑fold increase).
Practical Outcomes
- Selank shows promise as a potential aid for easing opioid withdrawal symptoms, but the evidence is limited to animal studies. Biohackers interested in self‑experimentation should treat this as preliminary data and await human trials before considering it for personal protocols. If exploring, start with very low, sub‑anxiolytic doses and monitor for safety, keeping in mind the lack of human safety and efficacy data.
Summary
In rats that were dependent on morphine, a single low dose of the peptide Selank (0.3 mg/kg) reduced overall withdrawal symptoms by about 40%, cut down convulsions, eye drooping, and posture problems, and made the animals far less sensitive to touch. Its effects were a bit weaker than a standard anti‑anxiety drug, diazepam, but still clearly helped with withdrawal signs.
Abstract
Activity of a peptide tuftsin analogue Selank was studied in outbred rats using the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal model. Single intraperitoneal injection of Selank in an anxiolytic dose of 0.3 mg/kg reduced the total index of morphine withdrawal syndrome by 39.6%, significantly (р<0.0001) attenuated convulsive reactions, ptosis, and posture disorders, and 9-fold increased the tactile sensitivity threshold in morphine-dependent rats in comparison with the group of active control; at the same time, Selank was slightly inferior to diazepam in a dose of 2 mg/kg by pharmacological activity (the decrease in total index of morphine withdrawal syndrome by 49.3% and 13-fold increase in sensitivity threshold). Thus, Selank, like diazepam, weakens the aversive signs of morphine withdrawal in rats with opiate dependence.
Study Information
pubmed
2022
2022-11-02T00:00:00.000Z
10.1007/s10517-022-05624-x
2
15