Semax prevents learning and memory inhibition by heavy metals.

Separate and joint effect of Semax, ascorbic acid, lead diacetate, and ammonium molybdate on avoidance conditioning in rats was studied. It was established that the heavy metal salts inhibited the avoidance response, and the peptide counteracted this inhibition as strongly as ascorbic acid or to a comparable degree. These findings confirm the antioxidant properties of Semax.

[Opposite Semax influence on conditioning and functional disturbances of avoidance responses in rats].

Semax effects on formation of active avoidance reaction in rats in different experimental models have been studied. It was shown that intraperitoneal Semax administration at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg accelerated acquisition of one-way active avoidance response when rats were trained to avoid electric foot-shock by jumping on the shelf. When rats were trained in shuttle-box the peptide increased the electroshock threshold value required to provocation of rat moving in experimental box and delayed acquisition of two-way active avoidance response. At the same time Semax stimulated avoidance response restoration in shuttle-box after functional disturbances induced by acute modification of cause-effect and spatial relationships in experimental environment. Data obtained support nootropic properties of Semax.