Noopept

Noopept is a dipeptide-derived small molecule, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, developed in Russia as a nootropic research compound. It has been studied mostly in rodent models, with limited clinical data, and is not approved by the FDA.

Last reviewed 2026-10-25 by the PeptideWiki editorial team. Editorial policy.

Overview

Noopept, also known as omberacetam or by its development code GVS-111, was developed at the Zakusov Institute of Pharmacology in Moscow as part of a program designing small dipeptide-based molecules intended to mimic aspects of the racetam class of nootropics. It is built from a prolylglycine core with an N-terminal phenylacetyl group and a C-terminal ethyl ester. Although it is derived from a dipeptide, it is a small molecule rather than a peptide in the usual sense, and it is orally absorbed in animal studies.

Most published work on noopept comes from Russian research groups and consists of rodent studies of memory, anxiety-related behavior and models of brain injury, alongside in-vitro neuroprotection experiments. A smaller number of clinical studies, mainly published in Russian-language journals, have examined patients with cognitive complaints. These trials were generally small and are not widely accessible for independent assessment. Outside Russia and nearby countries the compound has no established clinical role, and the preclinical findings should be interpreted with caution.

Structure

Noopept is N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester. Its core is the dipeptide Pro-Gly, with the proline nitrogen acylated by a phenylacetyl group and the glycine carboxyl converted to an ethyl ester. It has no free N-terminal amine or C-terminal acid, which distinguishes it from ordinary short peptides and increases its lipophilicity. In animals it has been reported to be metabolized in part to cycloprolylglycine, a cyclic dipeptide that occurs endogenously in the brain. Because of the capping groups, its mass should be checked against the specific small-molecule structure.

Mechanism

The mechanism of noopept is not firmly established. Proposed actions from rodent and cell studies include increased expression of neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus, modulation of glutamatergic AMPA receptor signaling, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and activation of the transcription factor HIF-1. Some authors attribute part of its activity to its metabolite cycloprolylglycine. These hypotheses come largely from the originating research community and have not been integrated into a validated mechanism.

Research

Rodent memory and learning

Much of the noopept literature consists of rodent experiments using passive avoidance, maze learning and conditioned reflex tasks, often in animals with deficits induced by drugs, hypoxia or surgical lesions. Investigators reported improved performance in treated animals. These studies vary in design, and many were published in Russian journals with limited peer scrutiny outside that community. They suggest pharmacological activity in animal models but do not establish clinical effects in people.

Neuroprotection models

In-vitro and animal studies have examined noopept in models of oxidative stress, glutamate toxicity, amyloid-beta exposure and experimental brain ischemia or trauma. Authors reported reduced markers of cell damage and improved survival of cultured neurons. These are mechanistic and preclinical observations; neuroprotection in such models has historically translated poorly to human neurological disease, so the findings are best viewed as hypothesis-generating.

Clinical studies

Small clinical studies, mainly from Russia, have compared noopept with piracetam in patients with mild cognitive disorders of vascular or post-traumatic origin, reporting changes in cognitive and anxiety scales. These trials were modest in size, often not placebo-controlled in a modern sense, and are not easily accessible to international reviewers. There are no large randomized controlled trials published in major international journals, so the human evidence base remains limited. Researchers seeking to evaluate these studies may need to rely on secondary summaries, which adds a further layer of uncertainty.

Evidence quality

Noopept has a sizeable but geographically concentrated literature. Strengths include a defined chemical structure and many animal studies; weaknesses include few independent replications, limited international clinical data, and incomplete characterization of long-term safety. Researchers should treat it as an investigational nootropic compound with early clinical evidence of uncertain quality. Its classification as a peptide-derived small molecule, rather than a peptide, also matters for how it is characterized, stored and regulated.

Regulatory status

Noopept is not approved by the FDA for any use, and it is not on the Section 503A bulk drug substances list. It has been marketed as a medicine in Russia; its status in other countries varies and should be checked locally. FDA has taken the position that some nootropic compounds sold in products labeled as dietary supplements do not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient; check current FDA statements for noopept specifically. For sport, check the current WADA Prohibited List.

Status changes often. See the regulatory tracker for dated updates.

Quality and identity testing

Because noopept is a small molecule rather than a peptide, a certificate of analysis should confirm identity by mass spectrometry against the expected mass of N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, ideally supported by NMR or infrared spectroscopy. Purity should be reported by HPLC with the chromatogram. Specific pitfalls include hydrolysis of the ethyl ester to the free acid, which appears as a distinct related-substance peak, and the stereochemical purity of the L-proline residue. Residual solvents from synthesis should also be reported.

For a walkthrough of each section of a certificate, see how to read a COA.

Storage and stability

Store solid noopept in a tightly sealed container at room temperature or below, protected from light and moisture; refrigeration or -20 °C storage is reasonable for long-term reference material. The ethyl ester is susceptible to hydrolysis, particularly in aqueous solution and at elevated pH, so prepare solutions shortly before use, keep them cold, and avoid prolonged storage in water. Allow cold containers to warm before opening to prevent condensation.

Download the Noopept data sheet (PDF): sequence, masses, expected MS ions and handling on one printable page.

Latest research

Frequently asked questions

Related compounds

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  Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia as an analogue of the adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment ACTH(4-7), extended with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. It is studied for neurotrophic signaling and in models of brain injury.

• Selank

  Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia, built from the immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin extended with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. It is studied mainly for effects on anxiety-related behavior and immune signaling.

• Dihexa

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• Cerebrolysin

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References

1. PubMed: all indexed literature on Noopept
2. ClinicalTrials.gov: registered studies mentioning Noopept