Comparison
While GHK-Cu acts as a tissue-remodeling and wound-healing signal, enhancing skin regeneration, angiogenesis, and repair while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in experimental models31383, 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.
While GHK-Cu works as an endogenous tripeptide, Gly-His-Lys, that chelates Cu²⁺ and modulates gene expression, stimulating collagen, elastin, proteoglycan, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis while exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects31383, 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.
GHK-Cu is 3 amino acids long, whereas Semax is longer as it has a length of 7 amino acids. GHK-Cu is made up of a sequence of Glycine, Histidine, Lysine. Semax is made up of a sequence of Methionine, Glutamic acid, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Glycine, Proline.
GHK-Cu
Not clearly established in the current dataset.
Semax
Targets are not fully defined; interacts with melanocortin-related pathways and inhibits certain peptidases, but no single dominant receptor has been established174
GHK-Cu
Not assigned in the current dataset.
Semax
POMC