Epitalon

Epitalon (also called epithalon or epithalamin in some sources) is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). It was developed by the Vladimir Khavinson group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology in Russia as a synthetic analog of the pineal extract epithalamin.

Peppudex card: see the mechanism + evidence-grade summary at [Peppudex / Epitalon](https://peppudex.com/peptides/epitalon).

Overview

The Khavinson short-peptide research program has produced a series of tetra- and tri-peptides claimed to regulate specific tissue functions via interaction with the chromatin. Epitalon is among the most-published in this series and is the subject of long-term Russian clinical observation studies on aging and cancer-incidence endpoints.

The compound is not approved by the FDA and the bulk of the published evidence is from Russian-language journals and the Khavinson group's own publications.

Mechanism

The proposed mechanism is telomerase activation in somatic cells. In vitro studies have reported that Epitalon upregulates telomerase activity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, extending the proliferative capacity of cells in culture (Khavinson et al., 2003; PMID 14523389). Additional proposed mechanisms involve melatonin secretion via pineal gland action and modulation of clock-gene expression.

Independent replication outside the Khavinson research network is limited.

Evidence

• In vitro telomerase activation · Khavinson et al., 2003 (PMID 14523389)
• 12-year clinical observation study · 266 patients aged 60-69 receiving epitalon and/or thymalin showed a reported reduction in overall mortality vs control (Khavinson et al., 2003).

The long-term mortality data has not been independently replicated and is not based on a randomized double-blind design. Critical readers should treat the evidence base as preliminary.

Dosing literature

Research-protocol literature has used subcutaneous 5-10 mg/day in 10-20 day cycles, repeated 1-2 times per year. The wiki does not recommend any human dose; Epitalon is investigational.

Pharmacokinetics

Epitalon is a tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) with very short plasma half-life (under 5 minutes) due to rapid proteolytic cleavage. Most published Russian research uses subcutaneous or intranasal administration in 5-day to 10-day course cycles, repeated quarterly. The short half-life is consistent with a peak-and-pulse pharmacodynamic effect rather than chronic exposure.

Storage

Lyophilized Epitalon is stable at –20 °C for at least 24 months. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, store at 2-8 °C and use within 14-21 days. Tetrapeptides degrade faster in solution than longer peptides.

Regulatory status

• United States. Research-use only. Not FDA-approved.
• Russia. Registered as a research and clinical-research compound through the Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.
• WADA. Not listed on the 2024 Prohibited List.

Side effects (from published Russian literature)

Khavinson-group publications report a benign safety profile across the 30+ year body of Russian research. No major adverse-event signals identified. Western regulatory characterization is sparse. Theoretical concerns around telomerase activation and oncologic context (since telomerase reactivation is one mechanism by which cells acquire replicative immortality) remain open without controlled long-term safety data.

See also

• Reconstitution · vial-prep math
• Sirtuin_activation · longevity-research pathway cross-talk
• [Peppudex card · Epitalon](https://peppudex.com/peptides/epitalon) · mechanism, evidence grades A-F, FAQs, peer-reviewed sources

References

• Khavinson VK. "Peptides and Ageing." Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23 Suppl 3:11-144. PMID 12624353.
• Khavinson V, et al. "Effects of pineal peptide preparation Epithalamin on free-radical processes in humans and animals." Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003;24(3-4):213-9. PMID 14523389.
• Khavinson VK, et al. "Geroprotective effect of epitalon in a long-term observational study." Adv Gerontol. 2003.