Side-by-side · Research reference

CardiogenvsSelank

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

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED5/46 cited

BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED11/40 cited

Cardiogen

Bioregulator · Cardiac

CardiacTissue target

Gene regulationMechanism

AnimalEvidence level

SQ · Variable protocols

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

Cardiogen

Selank

Primary target

Cardiovascular cell gene expressionKhavinson 2022

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

Pathway

Peptide bioregulation → modulation of SASP / inflammaging → cardiac tissue homeostasisKhavinson 2022

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

Downstream effect

Suppression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), reduction of age-related inflammatory markers, modulation of heat shock protein expression in cardiac tissue

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

Feedback intact?

Presumed — peptide bioregulators act via gene regulation, not receptor agonism

No GABA-receptor binding; no dependence reportedMedvedev 2007

Origin

Derived from cardiac tissue peptide extracts; synthetic analogue based on Khavinson bioregulator methodology

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

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cardiogen

Selank

Standard dose

Variable — typically 10–20 mg per course

No standardised human protocol; animal-derived dosing.

150–300 mcg / dose intranasalZaderej 2014

Frequency

Intermittent courses — 10–20 days, repeated periodically

Khavinson-school bioregulators typically dosed as periodic interventions, not continuous.

2–3× per day during stress

Evidence basis

Animal models / mechanistic studies

No Phase 1+ human trials in PubMed.

Human-mechanistic + Russian clinical trialsMedvedev 2007

Route

Subcutaneous injection

—

Duration

10–20 day courses, repeated 2–4× per year

Russian geriatric protocols; unclear extrapolation to general populations.

10–14 day cycles, repeated as needed

Lower / starter dose

—

75 mcg / dose

Reconstitution

—

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

Timing

—

Morning + early afternoon preferred

Half-life

—

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

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cardiogen

Selank

Injection site reactions

Mild erythema, induration (presumed)

—

Systemic adverse events

No documented serious AEs in available literature

Very limited safety data; no rigorous pharmacovigilance.

—

Immunogenicity

Unknown — no antibody development studies published

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no extended human trials indexed in PubMed

Limited Western RCT data

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

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

Cardiogen

·Active malignancy (theoretical peptide growth factor concern)
·Hypersensitivity to peptide components

Selank

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

Cardiogen

·Acute cardiac events (no safety data in acute MI, unstable angina)
·Pregnancy / lactation (no reproductive toxicity data)

Selank

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical via immunomodulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cardiogen

Selank

1. Reconstitution

Add sterile water or saline per manufacturer instructions (typically 1–2 mL per lyophilised vial). Roll gently to dissolve.

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

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites. Use sterile technique.

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

3. Timing

Variable — often evening injection. No established circadian preference.

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

4. Storage

Lyophilised: refrigerate 2–8 °C, protect from light. Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate, discard after 7–14 days per labeling.

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

5. Needle

27–30G insulin syringe, 45° angle for subcutaneous administration.

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

06Stack Synergy

Cardiogen

+ Thymalin

Moderate

View Thymalin →

Khavinson-school multi-organ bioregulator approach: thymalin (thymic peptide) addresses immune senescence while cardiogen targets cardiac tissue. Combined use in geriatric populations demonstrated normalisation of cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune parameters with reduced mortality over 6–8 years of observation.

Cardiogen: 10–20 mg SQ · 10–20 day course
Thymalin: 10–30 mg IM · concurrent or sequential courses
Frequency: 2–4 courses per year
Primary benefit: Multi-system aging mitigation, cardiovascular and immune homeostasis

Selank

— no documented stacks