Anti-Aging & Longevity
Epithalon
Synthetic pineal tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) studied as a telomerase activator; human evidence is limited and mostly from one Russian group.
Full research profile Open in reconstitution calculator →What it is
Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), identified as the putative active fragment of epithalamin, a bovine pineal gland extract. It is studied primarily as a longevity or "anti-aging" compound, with most research focused on telomere biology, circadian/melatonin regulation, and age-related decline.
The great majority of human and animal data originate from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, led by Vladimir Khavinson, over several decades. This concentration in a single research group, often with non-blinded designs, is the central limitation of the evidence base and the reason claims should be read cautiously.
In the United States, EU, UK, and most Western jurisdictions, Epitalon is sold for laboratory research use only and is not approved by any regulator for human therapeutic use. The information below is a research reference and is not medical advice.
Highlights
- Activates telomerase (hTERT) and elongates telomeres in human somatic cell cultures, extending replicative lifespan past the Hayflick limit
- Reported increased telomere length in blood cells of elderly subjects (60-80) in non-blinded single-group studies
- Associated with reduced mortality (reported ~1.6-1.8 fold) in one long-term non-blinded elderly cohort; not independently replicated
Read the full research, dosing & citations →
For research use only. Not medical advice.