Epitalon

In simple words

Epitalon is a short peptide made of four amino acids, created in St. Petersburg in Khavinson's laboratory. It is studied as an agent that may slow cellular aging, support melatonin production, and help regulate daily (circadian) rhythms.

What this molecule is

Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly — 4 aa. Synthetic analog of Epithalamin (from the pineal gland). ~360 Da. IBG RAS, Khavinson.

Why it is studied

BioPeptidePlus's key geroprotector. ↑Telomerase in normal somatic cells (overcoming the Hayflick limit). ↑Melatonin in older adults. Clinical observation (Epithalamin is the natural predecessor of Epitalon): mortality ↓2.5× with courses combined with Thymalin over the first 2–3 years, and ↓4.1× with annual courses over 6 years. Normalization of circadian rhythms.

How it works

Binds to the promoters of the telomerase (hTERT) and melatonin genes → epigenetic activation. ↑SOD, catalase → antioxidant protection. ↑Pineal function → ↑melatonin → normalization of circadian rhythms.

Doses used in studies

Studies used 5–10 mg IM once a day for a course of 10–20 days; repeat courses 2–3 times a year. The solution was prepared with bacteriostatic water.

Combined with in studies

• Thymalin — anti-aging duo — in a study with Epithalamin, mortality ↓2.5× (courses over 2–3 years) and ↓4.1× (annually for 6 years)
• SS-31 — mitochondria + telomeres
• DSIP — melatonin + sleep

Level of evidence

Level B-C Human observational data. There are studies in humans, but they are small, uncontrolled, or cohort studies. The data are encouraging but need confirmation.

Important to know

All data come from Khavinson's laboratory. There are no independent international RCTs. Research only.

Studies in PubMed

1. Peptides and Ageing. (Neuro Endocrinol Lett, 2002)
2. Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity. (Biogerontology, 2025)
3. Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties. (Int J Mol Sci, 2025)
4. Epitalon-activated telomerase enhance bovine oocyte maturation rate and post-thawed embryo development. (Life Sci, 2025)
5. AEDG Peptide (Epitalon) Stimulates Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis during Neurogenesis: Possible Epigenetic Mechanism. (Molecules, 2020)
6. Effect of Peptide AEDG on Telomere Length and Mitotic Index of PHA-Stimulated Human Blood Lymphocytes. (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2019)