Comparison
Semax vs Urolithin A
Side-by-side of Semax and Urolithin A. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
Semax
Semax peptide benefits: nootropic ACTH(4-10) analog without corticotropic activity. Cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, intranasal dosing, Russian stroke.
Urolithin A
Urolithin A supplement guide: pomegranate-derived metabolite, 500-1000 mg Mitopure dosing, mitophagy and muscle endurance evidence.
Effects at a glance
Semax
- •Synthetic heptapeptide analog of ACTH(4-10) developed in Russia in the 1980s
- •Approved in Russia for ischemic stroke, cognitive impairment, and cerebrovascular disorders
- •Lacks the corticotropic activity of native ACTH due to the Pro-Gly-Pro stabilizing tail
- •Russian RCTs report improved cognitive recovery in acute ischemic stroke versus standard care
- •Modulates BDNF and NGF expression and dopaminergic signaling in preclinical models
- •Standard route is intranasal; not FDA approved; research-use-only outside Russia
Urolithin A
- •Gut-microbiome-derived metabolite of pomegranate and walnut ellagitannins
- •Roughly 40% of adults are 'urolithin producers' from dietary intake; ~60% are non-producers
- •Ryu 2016 (Nature Medicine) reported lifespan extension in C. elegans and muscle benefits in aged rodents
- •Andreux 2019 first-in-human trial (n=60) established safety and mitochondrial gene-expression upregulation
- •Singh 2022 (n=66, 4 months, 1000 mg/day) reported improved muscle endurance in older adults
- •Most human trial portfolio is Amazentis-funded; independent replication is thin
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Semax | Urolithin A |
|---|---|---|
| Category | peptide | supplement |
| Also known as | Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, ACTH(4-10) Pro-Gly-Pro analog | UA, Mitopure, ellagitannin metabolite |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 0.5 | 17 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 0.6 | 500 |
| Dosing frequency | 2-3x daily (intranasal) | daily, morning with food |
| Routes | intranasal | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 0.5 | 2 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 4 |
| Molecular weight | 813.94 | 228.2 |
| Molecular formula | C37H51N9O10S | C13H8O4 |
| Mechanism | Modulates BDNF and NGF expression in hippocampus and cortex, enhances dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling, and reduces oxidative stress markers in preclinical ischemia models. Lacks corticotropic activity of native ACTH. | Induces mitophagy via potentiation of PINK1/Parkin signaling, leading to selective degradation of damaged mitochondria. Secondary anti-inflammatory effects via NF-kB modulation. |
| Legal status | Approved in Russia for stroke and cognitive disorders; not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market elsewhere | OTC dietary supplement (US GRAS 2018; EFSA Novel Food 2021) |
| WADA status | unknown | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not FDA approved; not scheduled; research-chemical status outside Russia | OTC supplement (not scheduled) |
| Pregnancy | Not recommended; insufficient data | Insufficient data; not routinely recommended |
| CAS | 80714-61-0 | 1143-70-0 |
| PubChem CID | 9811102 | 5488186 |
| Wikidata | Q4413083 | Q27101321 |
Safety profile
Semax
Common side effects
- mild nasal irritation
- transient mild headache
- rare mild euphoria or activation
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- acute psychotic disorder
- severe hypertension (caution due to mild activating effect)
Interactions
- stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines): potential additive activation; monitor for overstimulation(minor)
- antipsychotics: theoretical antagonism via dopaminergic modulation(minor)
Urolithin A
Common side effects
- mild GI upset (rare)
- soft stools (rare)
Contraindications
- pregnancy and lactation (insufficient data)
- active chemotherapy (consult oncology)
Interactions
- chemotherapy agents: theoretical interaction with mitochondrial-targeting agents; consult oncologist(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Urolithin A comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-A outcome catalogued. Semax is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Semax.
- → If your priority is long-term neuroprotection, pick Semax.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick Urolithin A.
- → If your priority is muscle hypertrophy, pick Urolithin A.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Urolithin A is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Urolithin A. Lower friction to source, a Tier-A evidence outcome catalogued, and broader goal coverage. Reach for Semax only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between Semax and Urolithin A?
Semax and Urolithin A differ in category (peptide vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Semax or Urolithin A?
Semax half-life is 0.5 hours; Urolithin A half-life is 17 hours.
Can you stack Semax with Urolithin A?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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