Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsSemax

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-DRAFTED12/39 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

Semax

Cognitive enhancer · Russian Pharma

200–600 mcg/doseIntranasalKaplan 2017

HumanMechanisticKaplan 2017

~30 minOnset

Intranasal · 2–3×/day during cognitive demand

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Semax

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

BDNF / NGF expression + monoamine modulationKaplan 2017

Pathway

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

↑ BDNF + NGF synthesis + 5-HT modulation → neuroplasticity + anxiolysis + cognitive enhancementKaplan 2017

Downstream effect

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

Improved memory + attention; reduced anxiety; neuroprotection in ischemiaKaplan 2017

Feedback intact?

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

—

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 ACTH(4-7) with C-terminal Pro-Gly-Pro stabilising tailKaplan 2017

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Semax

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 cognitive demand

Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

10–14 day cycles, repeated PRN

Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Human-mechanistic + Russian clinicalKaplan 2017

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

—

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

Morning + early afternoon

Standard dose

—

200–600 mcg / dose intranasalKaplan 2017

Lower / starter dose

—

100 mcg / dose

Reconstitution

—

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

Half-life

—

Short plasma; CNS effect lasts ~3–6 hr

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Semax

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

Semax

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)

Sleep disruption

—

Late-day dosing may interfere with sleep

Headache

—

Uncommon, transient

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western RCT data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Semax

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

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

Semax

·Active psychiatric instability
·Concurrent strong stimulants

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Semax

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 — 2–3 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. Avoid evening (sleep disruption).

4. Dosing

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

Refrigerate after reconstitution; light-protected.

5. Storage

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

Cycle on/off to avoid neurochemical adaptation.

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

Semax

+ Selank

Moderate

View Selank →

Semax (cognitive enhancer, BDNF/NGF) and Selank (anxiolytic + immune) form the canonical Russian "neuro stack" — both intranasal peptide bioregulators with complementary axes. Semax for cognitive demand; Selank for stress mitigation.

Semax: 200–600 mcg intranasal · morning + afternoon
Selank: 150–300 mcg intranasal · midday + early evening
Primary benefit: Cognitive enhancement + stress mitigation

Kaplan 2017 Zaderej 2014