FDA-Approved Melanocortin Agonist: Cyclic heptapeptide MC3R/MC4R agonist, approved June 2019 (Vyleesi) for premenopausal HSDD, 100+ publications, first melanocortin therapeutic for sexual function
Synthetic Tuftsin Analogue: Heptapeptide Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro, developed Russian Academy of Sciences, tuftsin core + Pro-Gly-Pro extension for metabolic stability, 20+ years research
Multi-Modal Mechanism: Positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, upregulates BDNF (hippocampus/cortex), inhibits enkephalinase (IC50 15 μM), modulates monoamines, no tolerance/dependence
Clinical Status: Russian FDA approved 2009 for GAD/neurasthenia (intranasal 0.15%), RCT showed efficacy equal to medazepam with additional nootropic effects, no sedation/amnesia unlike benzodiazepines