DSIP vs Semax
Neuroactive
DSIP
Nonapeptide isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood, studied for effects on delta-wave sleep architecture.
Neuroactive
Semax
Heptapeptide ACTH(4-10) analog studied for BDNF expression and neurotrophic signaling, without corticotropic activity.
Side by side
| Dimension | DSIP | Semax |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 848.81 g/mol | 813.92 g/mol |
| Size class | short peptide | short peptide |
| CAS number | 62568-57-4 | 80714-61-0 |
| Research area | cognitive | cognitive |
| Sequence | Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro |
| Available sizes | 5mg | 10mg |
| Entry price | $39 | $49 |
| Cost per mg | $7.80 | $4.90 |
Mechanism
DSIP
DSIP is a nonapeptide originally isolated in the 1970s from the cerebral venous blood of rabbits during induced sleep. Despite fifty years of intermittent study, no specific receptor has been identified and the mechanism remains genuinely unresolved — reported effects span sleep architecture, stress hormone modulation, and thermoregulation without a unifying pathway. Researchers should treat the mechanistic literature as unsettled rather than merely incomplete.
Semax
Semax is a synthetic analog of ACTH fragment 4-10, extended with a C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro sequence that markedly increases stability against peptidase degradation. The design goal was retention of the neurotropic effects attributed to the ACTH fragment while eliminating its corticotropic activity — the fragment does not stimulate steroidogenesis. Published work reports rapid upregulation of BDNF and NGF expression in hippocampal tissue. As with Selank, most primary literature is Russian-language and requires translation.
Evidence quality
Mechanism is not the same as evidence. Where we have assessed the literature, the verdict is stated plainly.
DSIP
Evidence base: substantial in volume, concentrated in the 1980s, and explicitly unresolved. No specific receptor has been identified, and the reported activities have not converged on a mechanism. Treat older immunoreactivity findings with care.
Full research reference →Semax
Evidence base: coherent and moderately sized, concentrated in one model system with gene expression as the dominant readout. Functional and clinical endpoints are less represented. The Pro-Gly-Pro fragment has activity of its own, which complicates attribution.
Full research reference →Research applications
DSIP
- Sleep architecture and EEG delta-wave studies in animal models
- Corticotropin and stress axis interaction research
- Thermoregulation studies
Semax
- BDNF and NGF expression profiling in hippocampal tissue
- Dopaminergic and serotonergic system interaction studies
- Neuroprotection assays in ischemia models
- Peptidase stability studies of Pro-Gly-Pro extended analogs
Common questions
What is the difference between DSIP and Semax?
DSIP is nonapeptide isolated from rabbit cerebral venous blood, studied for effects on delta-wave sleep architecture. Semax is heptapeptide ACTH(4-10) analog studied for BDNF expression and neurotrophic signaling, without corticotropic activity. They differ in molecular weight (848.81 vs 813.92 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, DSIP or Semax?
Semax is lower at approximately $4.90 per milligram at its best tier, against $7.80 for the other. Cost per milligram is only meaningful relative to the concentrations a given protocol requires, since these compounds are not used at comparable masses.
Can DSIP and Semax be studied together?
Combination designs appear in the published literature for a number of these compounds. Whether it is appropriate for a given protocol depends entirely on the model and endpoint. We supply research compounds and do not provide protocol guidance — consult the primary literature for your specific model.
How should DSIP and Semax be stored?
Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted at 2-8°C for up to 30 days. For Semax: Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted at 2-8°C for up to 30 days.
Which has the stronger evidence base?
DSIP — Evidence base: substantial in volume, concentrated in the 1980s, and explicitly unresolved. No specific receptor has been identified, and the reported activities have not converged on a mechanism. Treat older immunoreactivity findings with care. Semax — Evidence base: coherent and moderately sized, concentrated in one model system with gene expression as the dominant readout. Functional and clinical endpoints are less represented. The Pro-Gly-Pro fragment has activity of its own, which complicates attribution.
All products sold on this website are intended for research and identification purposes only. These products are not intended for human dosing, injection, or ingestion.
Comparison generated from Lyra Vital catalog data. Every specification is reconciled against the certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.