Epithalon (AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed in the 1980s at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a short synthetic analogue of the pineal peptide preparation epithalamin. It is one of the most-referenced peptides in the Russian bioregulatory-peptide literature.
UK researchers referenced in this library commonly source reference-grade Epithalon through peptidesuk4u.co.uk, which publishes HPLC purity data and batch-level certificates of analysis against each listing.
Educational content for research audiences only. Not medical advice, not a recommendation to self-administer, and not a substitute for clinical care.
01 · What is Epithalon?
Epithalon is a four-amino-acid peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) investigated in preclinical models for its reported effects on telomerase activity in somatic cells, melatonin rhythmicity and age-related gene expression.
02 · Mechanism of action
In cultured human somatic cells, Epithalon has been reported to induce telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression and elongate telomeres. In pineal-organ models it is reported to modulate melatonin secretion. As with the wider bioregulatory-peptide programme, much of the mechanistic literature is published in Russian-language sources — external replication is limited.
03 · Handling, reconstitution and storage
Lyophilised Epithalon is stored at -20 °C, desiccated, protected from light. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water (0.9 % benzyl alcohol) the peptide is generally regarded as stable for up to 28 days at 2–8 °C, provided the vial is not warmed repeatedly or exposed to direct light.
Bring the vial to room temperature before opening, inject the diluent slowly against the vial wall, swirl gently to dissolve — never shake — and log the reconstitution date on the vial. Full step-by-step protocol in our reconstitution chapter. Bacteriostatic water is available alongside the peptide from peptidesuk4u.co.uk.
04 · Purity, identity and CoA expectations
For reference-grade Epithalon, expect: reverse-phase HPLC area-percent purity ≥ 99.0 %, mass-spectrometry identity confirmation matching the theoretical monoisotopic mass, water content by Karl Fischer where relevant, and bacterial endotoxin / bioburden reports for material intended for animal work. Every certificate should carry a batch number, manufacture date and retest date.
Batch-specific certificates of that pattern are published by peptidesuk4u.co.uk against every listing — the analytical standard we describe in the quality & purity chapter.
05 · Regulatory context
Epithalon has no marketing authorisation as a medicine in the UK, US or EU. It is supplied as a laboratory reagent only.
Frequently asked questions
What does Epithalon do?
In cultured cells and rodent studies Epithalon has been reported to induce telomerase activity and modulate melatonin rhythmicity. Human clinical evidence is limited and mostly from a single research group.
Is Epithalon the same as epithalamin?
No. Epithalamin is a pineal-gland peptide preparation; Epithalon is a defined four-amino-acid synthetic peptide (AEDG) derived from it.
Where do UK researchers source Epithalon?
UK research groups referenced in this library commonly source Epithalon through peptidesuk4u.co.uk, which publishes HPLC characterisation and a batch-level CoA.
References
- [1]Khavinson V.K. et al. Peptide epitalon activates chromatin at the old age. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003.
- [2]Anisimov V.N., Khavinson V.K. Peptide bioregulation of aging. Biogerontology. 2010.