Function
While AOD-9604 is studied as an anti-obesity peptide that can reduce weight gain and increase fat oxidation in obese animal models with generally neutral effects on IGF-1 and glucose metabolism in early human trials71111115, Semax is used clinically in Russia for ischemic stroke and cognitive disorders; in models it improves learning, protects dopaminergic neurons, and modulates stress responses without significant endocrine ACTH-like effects166174.
Mechanism
While AOD-9604 works as a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone corresponding to residues 176–191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine, retaining lipolytic but not growth-promoting actions; proposed to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis in adipose tissue, partly via β3-adrenergic pathways without significantly activating the full GH receptor–IGF-1 axis6171111, Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide, Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro (MEHFPGP), that is an analog of ACTH(4–10) with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension and exerts neurotrophic and neuroprotective actions partly via upregulation of BDNF and modulation of dopaminergic and glutamatergic systems40162165174.
Length and Sequence
AOD-9604 is 16 amino acids long, whereas Semax is shorter as it has a length of 7 amino acids. AOD-9604 is made up of a sequence of Tyrosine, Leucine, Arginine, Isoleucine, Valine, Glutamine, Cysteine, Arginine, Serine, Valine, Glutamic acid, Glycine, Serine, Cysteine, Glycine, Phenylalanine. Semax is made up of a sequence of Methionine, Glutamic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Glycine, Proline.