Epitalon
Synthetic pineal tetrapeptide
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide modelled on epithalamin, a pineal gland extract. It is the most widely studied of the Khavinson bioregulator peptides, principally in the context of telomere biology and circadian regulation. Supplied lyophilized, one 50mg vial.
About Epitalon
Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon; Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed by Vladimir Khavinson at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, designed to reproduce the activity of epithalamin, an extract of the pineal gland studied in Russian gerontology since the 1980s.
It is best known for a 2003 report that it induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation in cultured human somatic cells, and for animal studies from the same group on lifespan and tumour incidence. Those findings have not been independently replicated at scale, and Epitalon is not approved as a drug anywhere. It is used in research on telomere biology, pineal function and ageing.
Mechanism
Khavinson's group reports that AEDG enters the nucleus and activates expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT), lengthening telomeres in cells that normally lack telomerase activity. Other reported effects include normalisation of melatonin secretion from the pineal gland and changes in the expression of genes involved in cell-cycle regulation and antioxidant defence.
Areas of research
- Studied for telomerase activation in human cell lines
- Investigated for normalisation of melatonin rhythm in animal models
- Long-running lifespan studies in rodents and in Russian clinical cohorts
- Stable tetrapeptide with a long research history
References
- Khavinson V, Bondarev I, Butyugov A. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003;135(6):590-592. PubMed
- Anisimov VN et al. Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice. Biogerontology. 2003;4(4):193-202. PubMed
Research use only. Information on this page is provided for educational and research purposes and summarises published literature, mostly from cell and animal studies; it is not a claim of efficacy or safety. Products are not intended for human or veterinary use, or for any diagnostic or therapeutic purpose.
Molecular details
- Class
- Synthetic pineal-derived tetrapeptide bioregulator
- Sequence
- Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG)
- Length
- 4 amino acids
- Molecular formula
- C14H22N4O9
- Molecular weight
- 390.3 g/mol
- CAS number
- 307297-39-8
- Form
- Lyophilized powder, 50 mg per vial
Storage
Lyophilized: store cool, dark and dry — refrigeration is ideal. Once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C.
Reconstitution
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water.
Handling
Freely soluble in bacteriostatic water (2.5 mL per 50 mg vial gives 20 mg/mL). Swirl gently. Short acidic peptides are stable when lyophilized; keep at 2–8 °C, protect from light, and refrigerate once reconstituted.
Details
Epitalon · 50mg
Cellular Energy & Longevity
Lyophilized powder, sealed vial
