Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsSelank

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited

BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED11/40 cited

ARA 290

EPO-Derived Peptide · Innate Repair Receptor Agonist

4 mgDaily doseBrines 2015 Culver 2017

28 daysPhase 2 durationCulver 2017

Non-erythropoieticSafety profileBrines 2015 Liu 2014

SQ · DailyBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Selank

Anxiolytic + Cognitive · Russian Pharma

150–300 mcg/doseIntranasalZaderej 2014

HumanMechanisticZaderej 2014 Medvedev 2007

~30 minOnset

Intranasal · 2–3×/day during stress / cognitive demand

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Selank

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Monoamine system (serotonin / GABA modulation) + immunomodulation via tuftsin domainZaderej 2014

Pathway

EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades

Tuftsin-derived immune signaling + CNS monoamine modulation → reduced anxiety + improved mood / cognitionMedvedev 2007

Downstream effect

Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014 Culver 2017

Anxiolytic + cognitive enhancement; immunomodulation via increased IL-6 + IFN-γMedvedev 2007 Zaderej 2014

Feedback intact?

N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014

No GABA-receptor binding; no dependence reportedMedvedev 2007

Origin

11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties

Synthetic 7-AA peptide derived from human tuftsin (immune-system tetrapeptide)Zaderej 2014

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Selank

Standard dose (Phase 2)

4 mg / dayBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.

—

Frequency

Once daily

Self-administered subcutaneously.

2–3× per day during stress

Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

10–14 day cycles, repeated as needed

Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Human-mechanistic + Russian clinical trialsMedvedev 2007

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

—

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

Morning + early afternoon preferred

Standard dose

—

150–300 mcg / dose intranasalZaderej 2014

Lower / starter dose

—

75 mcg / dose

Reconstitution

—

Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial); research vial: bacteriostatic water

Half-life

—

Short (minutes plasma); CNS effect lasts ~3 hr

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Selank

Primary effect

Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015

Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.

—

HbA1c

Significant reduction vs placebo

Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.

—

Fasting glucose

Improved in ARA 290 group

—

Body composition

Not directly quantified

Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ARA 290

Selank

Injection site reaction

Mild, transient

—

Hematopoiesis

None — non-erythropoietic

Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.

—

Cardiovascular

No thrombotic events or hypertension reported

—

Immunogenicity

No antibody formation reported

—

Tolerability

Well-tolerated in Phase 2 trialsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

—

Nasal irritation

—

Mild burning or congestion (transient)

Sedation

—

None — distinct from benzodiazepinesMedvedev 2007

Dependence / withdrawal

—

None reported in clinical useZaderej 2014

Cognitive impairment

—

None — opposite effect (enhancement)

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western RCT data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Selank

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)

Selank

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical via immunomodulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Selank

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

Pre-formulated nasal spray (commercial) or research vial reconstituted with bacteriostatic water.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.

Intranasal — 1–3 sprays per nostril per dose. Tilt head slightly back.

3. Timing

Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015

Morning + early afternoon for cognitive demand; PRN for acute anxiety.

4. Dosing

4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017

Refrigerate after reconstitution; ≤30 days. Light-protected.

5. Storage

Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.

Avoid co-administration with strong sedatives or other anxiolytics initially.

06Stack Synergy

ARA 290

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

ARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.

ARA 290: 4 mg SQ · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Frequency: Once daily, same or separate injections
Primary benefit: Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing

Selank

— no documented stacks