Compound Guide
Epitalon (Epithalon) Research — Pineal Tetrapeptide Telomerase Activation
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Epitalon (AEDG): pineal tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activation. Telomere elongation in human cell lines confirmed (Biogerontology 2025).
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Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon; Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly; molecular formula C₁₄H₂₂N₄O₉; MW ~390.35 Da) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as the minimal active sequence of epithalamin — a natural pineal gland polypeptide. It is primarily studied for telomerase activation in human somatic cells and circadian melatonin regulation in aging models.
Telomerase Activation
Khavinson et al. (Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003;24(1–2):63–66) demonstrated epitalon activated telomerase (hTERT) expression and extended replicative capacity by approximately 42% in human fetal fibroblast cell cultures.
A 2025 peer-reviewed study in Biogerontology (Springer Nature; Araj SK et al.) confirmed dose-dependent telomere length extension in human cell lines via both telomerase upregulation and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway activation. These are in vitro findings.
Pineal and Melatonin Research
Epitalon has been reported to normalize melatonin secretion patterns in aged animals (Goncharova ND, 2001), with proposed downstream effects on circadian regulation and antioxidant status. One independent study found no significant melatonin effect — this mechanism has not been uniformly replicated.
Safety Note
No significant adverse events reported in Khavinson's human cohort studies. Principal theoretical concern: telomerase activation in cells with pre-cancerous changes could theoretically accelerate proliferative capacity.
Key References
- Khavinson VKh, et al. Peptide regulation of aging. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003;24(1–2):63–66.
- Araj SK, et al. Epitalon increases telomere length through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity. Biogerontology. 2025. Springer Nature.
- Anisimov VN, Khavinson VKh. Peptide bioregulation of aging. Ageing Res Rev. 2010;9(3):206–221.
For educational and research reference only. Epitalon is supplied for in-vitro laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption.
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This article is for informational and research purposes only. All compounds referenced are sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research use and are not intended for human consumption, veterinary use, or clinical/diagnostic procedures. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Avera Refined Wellness is a subsidiary of RDS 412 LLC.
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