A synthetic tetrapeptide derived from the pineal extract epithalamin, researched as a putative anti-aging/longevity and circadian-regulating compound.
Research use only — not approved for human use by FDA or EMA. It has no marketing approval as a drug for aging or any condition.
Also known as: Epithalon, Epithalone, AEDG peptide
Reported to induce expression of the telomerase subunit hTERT, increasing telomerase activity and partially restoring telomere length in cultured human fibroblasts; also appears to restore age-related declines in pineal melatonin and circadian rhythm. Most data are in vitro or animal.
Epitalon is a tetrapeptide developed by Vladimir Khavinson's St. Petersburg group as a simplified analog of the pineal preparation epithalamin, promoted around claims of telomerase activation. The headline finding — induction of hTERT, restored telomerase activity and telomere elongation — was demonstrated largely in vitro in cultured fibroblasts, and whether this translates to living human tissue has not been established. Human data come mainly from older, non-blinded Russian cohort studies (a ~266-patient programme reporting reduced mortality over 6-8 years) that have never been reproduced under blinded, randomised Western conditions. No controlled human trial has measured telomere length before and after. A plausible hypothesis with in-vitro support; human anti-aging efficacy is unproven.
We report both positive and negative trial results. For exact study protocols, read the sources — we cite them rather than repackage them.
Bars reflect the strength & volume of research evidence for each use — not a guarantee of results.
Human safety data are sparse. Small studies report it as well tolerated, but there are no rigorous long-term or large-scale safety trials, so its true risk profile is effectively uncharacterised.
Discussed within 'longevity' bundles alongside other Khavinson bioregulator peptides, DSIP and thymic peptides. There is no controlled evidence that any such combination works.
Mechanistic context only — we don't publish combinations, amounts or protocols.
Versus other longevity interventions, Epitalon is distinguished by a telomerase-activation narrative — but unlike senolytics or metformin, which have Western trials (positive or negative), its human evidence is confined to unreplicated Russian studies from a single lab.
This is shown mainly in cell culture. It has not been demonstrated in living human tissue in controlled trials.
They come from one Russian lab's non-blinded studies and have not been independently replicated, so they should be treated cautiously.
No. It is unapproved and research-use only, with no FDA or EMA authorisation.
No reviews yet. If you've used Epitalon, be the first to share what it helped with and any side effects.
⚠️ Educational research information only — not medical advice. Many peptides are sold strictly for laboratory research and are not approved treatments. The evidence scores reflect research interest and strength, not efficacy or safety for any individual. Always consult a qualified professional.