Selank is a heptapeptide that is a synthetic derivative of the tetrapeptide tuftsin. Various animal studies show that Selank is able to act as an anxiolytic and an antidepressant. A study conducted by Sarkisova et. Al showed that Selank works by activating the monoaminergic systems in the brain, it helps to synthesize and release dopamine and regulate the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase.
The study used inbred WAG/Rij rats that had genetic-based symptoms of depression and compared them to BALB/c mice that had symptoms of situation-based depression in order to see whether the form of depression changed the effects that Selank had on the subjects. In order to determine whether or not Selank had an effect on depression in the test subjects, the animals underwent a forced swimming test as well as had their sucrose intake measured.