Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) derived from natural pineal-gland extracts. Studied for telomerase activation, telomere maintenance, melatonin regulation, and circadian pathway modulation in longevity and cellular-aging research.
Epitalon (also written Epithalon or Epithalone) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from work on bovine pineal-gland extract (Epithalamin) by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. The sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly represents the active fragment responsible for the parent extract's longevity-associated effects.
Epitalon enters the nucleus and interacts with chromatin at specific gene-regulatory regions. Some research suggests direct DNA-peptide binding via the carboxylate side chains of Glu and Asp residues.
TERT promoter activation drives transcription of telomerase reverse transcriptase. The enzyme's catalytic activity at telomere ends adds repetitive TTAGGG sequences, counteracting age-related telomere shortening.
Restored pineal melatonin output drives downstream effects on circadian gene networks, antioxidant defence, and immune-system function — features documented in long-term rodent observation studies.
Cell-culture studies report 33–42% increased telomerase activity in somatic cells exposed to Epitalon, with corresponding increases in mean telomere length over multiple cell divisions. The peptide is widely cited as a research tool for telomere-biology investigations.
Refs: Khavinson VKh et al., Bull Exp Biol Med (2003); Anisimov VN et al., Mech Ageing Dev (2003)
Multi-year cohort studies in rodents documented extended lifespan, reduced spontaneous tumour incidence, and improved physiological parameters in animals receiving cyclical Epitalon administration compared to controls. These long-term observations underpin the compound's standing as a longevity research tool.
Refs: Anisimov VN et al., Gerontology (2003)
Each batch is independently tested by a third-party ISO-accredited laboratory. The analysis below reflects Batch AV-2025-EPI-024, tested 18 February 2025.
| Test Parameter | Method | Specification | Result | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | ESI-MS / MS-MS | Matches theoretical m/z | Confirmed (390.4 Da) | PASS |
| Purity (HPLC) | RP-HPLC C18, 210nm | ≥98.0% | 99.7% | PASS |
| Water content | Karl Fischer | ≤8.0% | 5.0% | PASS |
| Heavy metals | ICP-MS | ≤10 ppm | <2 ppm | PASS |
| Endotoxins | LAL chromogenic | ≤10 EU/mg | <1 EU/mg | PASS |
| Form | Temperature | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised powder | −20°C (preferred) or 2–8°C | 24 months / 12 months |
| Reconstituted (BAC water) | 2–8°C | ≤28 days |
| Reconstituted (saline) | 2–8°C | ≤7 days |
Wipe vial with 70% IPA.
For 10 mg vial, add 2 mL BAC water → 5 mg/mL stock.
Swirl gently — Epitalon is highly water-soluble.
Refrigerate at 2–8°C. Use within 28 days for BAC-water reconstitutions.
Multi-year rodent studies (Anisimov and colleagues, St. Petersburg) reported lifespan extension and reduced tumour incidence in long-term cohort experiments. However, large-scale, independent replication studies are limited, and no human lifespan trials have been completed. The compound remains a research tool — claims of lifespan extension in humans are speculative.
Both are studied for telomerase activation but operate differently. TA-65 is a small-molecule cycloastragenol derivative from Astragalus root, marketed as a supplement. Epitalon is a synthetic peptide with stronger published telomerase-induction data in cell culture, but TA-65 has more bioavailability research due to its small-molecule structure. They are not interchangeable in research protocols.
Published Russian research protocols developed by Khavinson and colleagues use short pulses (10–20 days) with months between cycles. The rationale is to mimic natural pineal output rhythms rather than producing sustained pharmacological levels. Continuous administration has not been better characterised in the published literature.
Yes. Aged-rodent studies show Epitalon restores nocturnal melatonin peaks toward youthful patterns. The pineal-derived origin of the parent compound (Epithalamin) and Epitalon's gene-expression effects on pineal-related circuits suggest a direct pineal-melatonin axis interaction.
Independently verified by third-party ISO-accredited laboratory. COA available on request.
View Epitalon in Store → Reconstitution Protocol Guide