Skip to content
WELCOME10 — 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER  ·  FREE SHIPPING OVER $300 CAD  ·  COA ON EVERY ORDER
Research Comparison

ARA 290 vs Semax

ARA 290 and Semax are studied in overlapping research areas, which is why they are frequently compared. This is a neutral side-by-side reference drawn from published preclinical literature and laboratory handling data.

Shared research areas:Cognitive & Neurological
Class11-amino-acid EPO-derived linear peptideSynthetic heptapeptide, ACTH(4-7) analogue
Molecular weight1257.4 g/mol813.94 g/mol
CAS numberNot assigned / not specified80714-61-0
Purity spec≥99%≥99%
Research areasTissue Regeneration, Cognitive & NeurologicalCognitive & Neurological
Primary diluentBacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol)Sterile or bacteriostatic water
Working windowCommonly worked with for 2-4 weeks at 2-8 °C in bacteriostatic water.Commonly worked with for 2–3 weeks at 2–8 °C.
Lead degradation routeAsparagine/glutamine deamidation is the most plausible slow route for this sequence.N-terminal methionine oxidation to the sulfoxide — the dominant route, and structurally significant because the N-terminus is the pharmacophore-bearing end.
Freeze–thawAliquot on first reconstitution; the short backbone tolerates a freeze better than folded proteins but repeated cycles still concentrate solutes at the ice interface.Small peptides tolerate freezing well, but aliquoting remains the better practice because it limits how often the solution meets air.
Light sensitivityNo specific light requirement beyond normal practice.Protect from light — methionine oxidation is photo-accelerated and the N-terminal position is the more exposed one.

How they actually differ

Comparing the two: ARA 290 is 11-amino-acid epo-derived linear peptide, while Semax is synthetic heptapeptide, acth(4-7) analogue — different molecular classes with different handling consequences; they call for different primary diluents (bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) versus sterile or bacteriostatic water); their leading degradation routes differ (asparagine/glutamine deamidation is the most plausible slow route for this sequence. for ARA 290, n-terminal methionine oxidation to the sulfoxide for Semax), so the storage precautions that matter are not the same; their practical working windows differ once reconstituted. The sections below set out each in full.

ARA 290 — origin

ARA 290 (Cibinetide) is an 11-residue peptide modelled on the helix-B surface of erythropoietin. It was engineered to engage the innate repair receptor — a heteromer of the EPO receptor and the beta-common receptor — without the erythropoietic (red-blood-cell-stimulating) activity of full-length EPO.

Semax — origin

Semax was developed at the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Moscow by attaching the Pro-Gly-Pro tripeptide to the ACTH(4-7) fragment. That C-terminal addition is the entire design rationale: it confers resistance to the aminopeptidases that clear the parent fragment within seconds, without retaining the corticotropic activity of full-length ACTH.

ARA 290 research themes

Innate repair receptor

Studied for selective engagement of the EPOR/beta-common receptor heteromer that mediates tissue-protective signalling, distinct from the classical erythropoietic receptor.

Neuropathic pain models

A substantial share of the published literature examines small-fibre and neuropathic-pain research models.

Anti-inflammatory signalling

Investigated for modulation of inflammatory pathways in preclinical tissue-injury models.

Semax research themes

BDNF expression

One of the most-cited research findings is upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in animal models.

Neuroprotection under ischemia

A substantial Russian literature examines the compound in cerebral ischemia models.

Attention and memory pathways

Investigated in behavioural models measuring attention and memory consolidation.

Non-corticotropic design

The ACTH(4-7) fragment was selected specifically because it lacks the hormonal activity of the full sequence.

ARA 290 handling

  • Reach room temperature before opening the vial.
  • Add diluent gently down the vial wall; do not vortex.
  • Use low-bind labware at low working concentrations to limit adsorption.

Semax handling

  • Use amber vials or store in the dark; this is a light-sensitive compound by virtue of its N-terminal methionine.
  • For nasal-spray research formats, treat the reconstituted solution as a multi-use container and observe the preserved-diluent window.
  • Do not warm to accelerate dissolution — it is unnecessary at this molecular weight and adds thermal exposure.

Both third-party tested

Every Popular Peptides batch of ARA 290 and Semax is independently tested by HPLC and LC-MS with a published Certificate of Analysis. Enter a lot number to pull the COA for a specific vial.

Verify a batchPublished COAsHow we test

ARA 290 reference

Full ARA 290 reference ARA 290 storage ARA 290 reconstitution ARA 290 calculatorARA 290 product details

Semax reference

Full Semax reference Semax storage Semax reconstitution Semax calculatorSemax product details

Related comparisons

ARA 290 vs BPC-157ARA 290 vs DSIPARA 290 vs GHK-CuARA 290 vs KPVARA 290 vs Oxytocin AcetateARA 290 vs SelankARA 290 vs TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4)ARA 290 vs Wolverine Stack

ARA 290 and Semax are supplied strictly as research chemicals for in-vitro laboratory and research use only. They are not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. This comparison summarizes published preclinical literature and laboratory handling data; it is not medical advice, not a claim of efficacy, and not usage guidance.