Epitalon (Epithalon)
Pineal tetrapeptide
Research overview
A tetrapeptide studied for its role in telomerase regulation in models of cellular senescence.
Descriptions reference published research areas for laboratory context only and are not claims of efficacy, safety, or intended use in humans or animals.
- Price
- $140 CAD
- Purity
- ≥99% (HPLC)
- Presentation
- 10 mg lyophilized vial
Order / inquire about Epitalon (Epithalon)
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For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use
Epitalon (Epithalon) is a chemical reference material sold strictly for in-vitro laboratory research by qualified professionals. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or natural health product; it has not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada; and it must never be ingested, injected, or applied to humans or animals. Sold in Canada only, to purchasers 18+. See our Research Use Policy.
Research encyclopedia
Everything the literature has studied.
For laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use. The content below summarizes published research context only. It is not medical advice, makes no therapeutic claims, and describes no intended use in humans or animals. These materials have not been evaluated or approved by Health Canada.
What it is
Epitalon (epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed as the putative active fragment of epithalamin, a polypeptide extract of the pineal gland. It has been studied for decades—primarily in Russia—as a candidate longevity and aging-modulation reference compound.
Mechanism of action
Proposed to induce telomerase (hTERT) activity, potentially slowing telomere shortening in senescent cells in vitro, and to act on the pineal gland to partially restore melatonin secretion and circadian rhythm. Additional proposed effects include modulation of gene expression via direct interaction with DNA/histone regions, though these mechanisms remain incompletely validated.
Research areas
- Telomere biology and replicative senescence
- Circadian regulation and melatonin secretion
- Aging and biomarkers of biological age
- Sleep quality and pineal function
Studied effects in research models
- Induction of telomerase and telomere elongation in human fibroblasts in vitro
- Partial restoration of melatonin secretion patterns in elderly cohorts (reported)
- Modulation of oxidative-stress and age-related markers in animal models
Effects listed describe observations reported in laboratory or animal research models only — not outcomes claimed for humans or animals.
Biomarkers tracked in related research
Discovery & background
Developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a synthetic short-peptide successor to the pineal extract epithalamin, investigated since the 1990s. Reported to activate telomerase and modulate melatonin secretion, though much of the evidence derives from a single research group and is difficult to replicate externally.
Considerations & limitations
Research-use-only reference material; not approved by Health Canada or the FDA. Much of the evidence comes from a single group with small samples and limited independent Western replication, and lifespan-extension claims in humans remain unproven. Theoretical oncologic concern is noted around telomerase activation; long-term safety is uncharacterized. Gray-market quality variability makes COA-verified identity and purity important.
References
- [1]Khavinson et al., 2003 (telomerase induction) — Bull Exp Biol Med; 135:590-592; PMID: 12937680
- [2]Anisimov et al., 2003 (aging models) — Biogerontology; 4:193-202; PMID: 14501183
- [3]Khavinson & Morozov, 2003 (peptide bioregulators review) — Neuro Endocrinol Lett; 24:233-240; PMID: 14523363