Epitalon
Synthetic Pineal Tetrapeptide | Telomerase Activator & Longevity
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What is Epitalon?
Epitalon is a lab-made four-amino-acid peptide based on a natural pineal-gland compound, developed and studied for decades in Russian research literature. Researchers have looked at its effects on telomerase (an enzyme tied to cell aging) in cell and animal studies. It's sold here strictly for laboratory research use, not for use in people or animals.
Key terms:
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide.
Epitalon (Epithalon, AEDG) is a lab-made peptide of four amino acids: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. Its sequence is based on a natural peptide from the pineal gland. Russian scientist Vladimir Khavinson developed it, and researchers have studied it for more than 35 years. Most of that work looks at telomerase, the enzyme that rebuilds telomeres (the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes), and at whether longer telomeres slow cell aging. Proposed mechanisms also include melatonin regulation and changes in gene expression. IMPORTANT: current Western dosing protocols may be 50 to 100 times higher than necessary, because of translation errors from the Russian literature.
Key research areas
- Telomerase activation for telomere extension
- Enhanced melatonin production
- Improved immune function
- Potential lifespan extension
- Systemic longevity effects through cellular rejuvenation
- CORRECTED DOSING: Evidence suggests current Western protocols use 50-100x higher doses than original Russian research
Researched dosing
This table reflects the dose ranges researchers have used in published epitalon studies, including a documented discrepancy between very low doses used in the original Russian research and higher doses seen in some Western sources — presented as research methodology, not usage instructions.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best-evidenced protocol | 200-500μg | Daily | Subcutaneous |
| Starting dose | 100μg | Daily | Subcutaneous |
| Russian trial equivalent | 300μg | Daily | Subcutaneous |
| Western community protocol (unverified) | 5-10mg | Daily | Subcutaneous |
| Very-low-dose studies | 50μg | Daily | Subcutaneous |
Commonly cycled 3 weeks on, 24+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, epitalon research looks at how this short peptide may activate telomerase — an enzyme that helps maintain the protective caps (telomeres) on chromosomes — while also studying its effects on pineal-gland signaling and gene expression.
Activates telomerase enzyme at extremely low concentrations (10⁻¹⁷ to 10⁻¹⁵ M) to maintain telomere length, stimulates pineal gland for melatonin production, modulates gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, and enhances antioxidant enzyme systems.
Molecular data
These figures — molecular weight, sequence, chain length — are the chemistry ID researchers use to confirm an epitalon sample's identity; at just four amino acids, it's one of the smallest peptides in this encyclopedia.
- Weight
- 390.35 Da
- Length
- 4 amino acids
- Type
- Tetrapeptide
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly
Research applications
This section lists the body systems and research areas — cellular longevity, neuroprotection, and immune function among them — that scientists have studied for epitalon in cell and animal models, a summary of what's been investigated in the literature, not medical claims about people.
Longevity
Activates telomerase to lengthen telomeres and extend cellular replicative lifespan at microgram doses. Reverses markers of cellular aging and improves mitochondrial function through low-dose signaling. Animal studies show 25-33% lifespan increase using 30-40 μg/kg doses, not milligram doses.
Neuroprotection
Demonstrated neuroprotective effects at very low doses, including improved visual acuity and slowed disease progression in age-related macular degeneration patients at 5 micrograms per eye daily.
Immunity
Supports immune function modulation through epigenetic regulation and cellular rejuvenation mechanisms.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- 200–500 μg per dose
- Frequency in studies
- Once daily for 10-20 days
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- Sleep: 3-7 days, Energy: 1-2 weeks, Cellular markers: 1-3 months
- Storage
- Refrigerate at 2-8°C, use within 30 days of reconstitution
- Cycle length
- 10-20 days per cycle
- Break between cycles
- 4-6 months between cycles
Interactions
This list shows which other longevity- and neuroprotection-research peptides scientists study alongside epitalon, and why.
Reconstitution & storage
This is the standard laboratory method for turning freeze-dried epitalon powder into a liquid research solution — the same basic water-based mixing process used for most peptide research.
- Clean vial tops with alcohol swab and allow to dry
- For corrected dosing: Add 5ml bacteriostatic water to create appropriate concentration
- For 10mg vial: Creates 2mg/ml solution - use 0.1ml for 200μg dose
- Inject water slowly into peptide vial, aiming at the side wall
- Gently swirl vial - do not shake vigorously to preserve peptide structure
- Solution should be clear and colorless when properly mixed
- Use smaller syringes (0.3ml) for accurate microgram dosing
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: 2-8°C, use within As per manufacturer specification
Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use within 30 days
Open the Epitalon reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the visual and lab-report checks researchers use to confirm an epitalon sample is pure and correctly identified before it goes into a study.
White lyophilized powder - Pure Epitalon appears as white to off-white freeze-dried powder
Clear solution when reconstituted - Properly mixed Epitalon should be completely clear and colorless
Certificate of analysis available - Reputable suppliers provide third-party testing showing >98% purity
Yellow or discolored powder - Indicates degradation or impurities - do not use
Cloudy solution after mixing - Suggests contamination or improper storage - discard
Dosing confusion widespread - Many sources recommend 5-10mg doses based on translation errors - verify with original Russian research showing microgram efficacy
What to expect
This timeline summarizes what the research literature reports at each stage of a study — research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
Usually no immediate effects, some report subtle energy improvement
Better sleep quality, more vivid dreams (melatonin effect)
Enhanced morning energy, improved mood stability
Skin quality improvements, better wound healing
Laboratory markers may show telomere length changes
Cumulative longevity effects with repeated cycles
Safety notes
This section covers handling cautions and regulatory notes for epitalon — it's not FDA-approved for human use, and the entry flags a documented dosing discrepancy between original and later research sources as a research-methodology caution, not medical advice.
- Theoretical concern about telomerase in cancer patients - avoid if active malignancy
- Corrected microgram dosing reduces risk of unnecessary peptide exposure
- Not FDA-approved for human use
- Current Western protocols may represent significant overdosing compared to original Russian research
Regulatory status
- Not approved by the FDA for any indication.
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
Community data
Community Insights
Based on data the community reported. Not clinical proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is Epitalon?
Epitalon (also written Epithalon, AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide of four amino acids, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, based on a naturally occurring pineal-gland peptide. Developed by Russian scientist Vladimir Khavinson and studied for over 35 years, it is researched in cell and animal models for its effects on the enzyme telomerase and on gene expression. Lux BioPure supplies it strictly for laboratory research.
What class of compound is Epitalon?
Epitalon is classified as a synthetic tetrapeptide — one of the smallest peptides in this encyclopedia, with just four amino acids, the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, and a molecular weight around 390 daltons. In research it is studied as a telomerase-activating peptide that works at extremely low concentrations, a neutral description of the mechanism scientists investigate in the literature.
How is Epitalon typically reconstituted for research use?
In the lab, lyophilized Epitalon powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water: the water is injected slowly against the vial's side wall rather than onto the powder, and the vial is gently swirled — not shaken vigorously — to preserve the peptide structure. A properly mixed solution should be clear and colorless. This is standard laboratory methodology, not a usage instruction.
How should Epitalon be stored, and why does the entry flag a dosing discrepancy?
Lyophilized Epitalon is refrigerated at 2–8°C, and a reconstituted solution is likewise kept at 2–8°C and used within about 30 days. Reputable suppliers provide third-party testing showing purity above 98%. The entry also flags a documented research-methodology caution: many Western sources cite doses far higher than the original Russian literature, a translation-error discrepancy noted for context, not advice.
Is Epitalon legal to purchase for research in Canada?
Lux BioPure sells Epitalon in Canada strictly as a research-use-only chemical for laboratory study — it is not for human or veterinary use and is not offered as a drug or supplement. Epitalon is not FDA-approved for human use; the entry frames it purely as a research compound, with all cited data drawn from third-party research literature.
References
Epitalon upregulated neurogenic differentiation markers (Nestin, GAP43, β-Tubulin III) by 1.6-1.8 fold in human gingival mesenchymal stem cells at extremely low concentrations, suggesting epigenetic regulation of neurogenesis.
View StudyPatients with age-related macular degeneration showed improved visual acuity and slowed disease progression using only 5 micrograms per eye daily, suggesting neuroprotective effects at very low doses.
Landmark study showed Epitalon activated telomerase in telomerase-negative human fibroblasts, extending their replicative lifespan from 34 to 44+ passages while maintaining telomere length comparable to young cells.
View Study