Acetyl tetrapeptide-5
is used in cosmetic eye formulations to decrease puffiness, eye bags, and dark circles by reducing edema and protecting proteins such as SOD from glycation
Alanine
Ala / A · hydrophobic residue · neutral charge
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 trials
Arginine
Arg / R · basic residue · positive charge
Argireline
is a topical cosmetic peptide reported to decrease dynamic wrinkles by partially mimicking the mechanism of botulinum toxin in a non-invasive manner
Asparagine
Asn / N · polar residue · neutral charge
Aspartic acid
Asp / D · acidic residue · negative charge
BPC-157
is investigated for accelerating healing of gastrointestinal mucosa, tendons, ligaments, bone, and nervous tissue in preclinical models, with anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects
Comparison
While Semaglutide is approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, significantly lowering HbA1c and body weight by modulating incretin pathways232480, 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 Semaglutide works as a modified GLP-1(7–37) analog with three key changes—Ala8→Aib, Lys26 acylated with a C18 fatty diacid, and Lys34→Arg—resulting in a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite23647480, 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.
Semaglutide
GCG
Semax
POMC
Semaglutide and Semax are noticeably different, with limited direct overlap in their usual biological context. Their typical research and application settings separate fairly clearly: Semaglutide is more often discussed in the realm of Metabolic and endocrine and Cardiovascular health, whereas Semax is more often associated with the realm of Neurology and brain health and Ophthalmology. They also influence different molecular systems, with Semaglutide tracking more closely to GLP-1 receptor while Semax centers more on GPCR receptor. Both are synthetic in origin and their development context also differs, with Semaglutide approved while Semax is approved for Research use only. Semaglutide takes the form of a peptide conjugate, whereas Semax is closer to a linear peptide, while Semaglutide incorporates lipidation features that are not part of Semax.