Epithalon is a metabolic & longevity research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is HPLC-verified and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
Epithalon (also spelled Epitalon or Epithalone) is a synthetic tetrapeptide — Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly — derived from epithalamin, a polypeptide fraction isolated from the bovine pineal gland by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. The four-amino acid sequence represents the bioactive core of the parent peptide. Research interest in epithalon centres on its reported ability to stimulate telomerase (hTERT) expression in somatic cells, a mechanism that has driven its investigation in cellular ageing models. The compound was developed within the Soviet and Russian peptide bioregulator research tradition, and the majority of foundational studies originate from Khavinson's laboratory, with subsequent work by international groups focused on mechanistic validation.
The primary proposed mechanism of epithalon involves stimulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) activity and elongation of telomeres in cultured human cells. In vitro studies in primary human fibroblast and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell lines report increased telomere length and extended replicative lifespan following epithalon treatment. Separately, research has examined epithalon's effects on pineal melatonin synthesis and circadian rhythm regulation in aged rodent models, consistent with its origin as a pineal-derived peptide bioregulator. Anti-oxidant activity via catalase and superoxide dismutase upregulation has also been characterised in hepatocyte and lymphocyte models.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies research-grade epithalon as lyophilized powder at ≥98% purity verified by HPLC, confirmed by mass spectrometry. Certificates of Analysis are available per batch. Wholesale quantities are available on request. This product is for laboratory research use only.
| Chemical Class | Tetrapeptide / Peptide Bioregulator |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 307297-39-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₄H₂₂N₄O₉ |
| Molecular Weight | 390.35 Da |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG, 4 amino acids) |
| Origin | Synthetic analogue of bovine pineal epithalamin |
| Primary Target | hTERT (telomerase), pineal-melatonin axis |
| Synonyms | Epitalon, Epithalone, AEDG peptide |
| Storage | -20°C lyophilized; 4°C reconstituted (up to 14 days) |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epithalon | 10 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $40.00 |
| Epithalon | 50 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $163.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS (["HPLC","LC-MS","Endotoxins","Water Content","Assay"]). Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Certificate of Analysis: Manufacturer COA. Documentation is available for every batch sold.
The most studied mechanism attributed to epithalon is the stimulation of hTERT (human telomerase reverse transcriptase) expression in somatic cells. In primary human fibroblast cultures, epithalon treatment has been reported to increase hTERT mRNA and activity, with associated telomere elongation and extension of the number of population doublings before replicative senescence (Hayflick limit). RPE cell studies published by Khavinson's group (2003, 2004) documented telomerase activation at nanomolar concentrations. Independent replication and mechanistic elucidation of the signalling pathway (transcriptional vs. post-translational regulation) remain active areas of investigation in this field.
Epithalon's origin as a pineal extract fraction underpins research into its effects on melatonin synthesis and circadian timing. In aged rat models with attenuated pineal melatonin output, epithalon administration has been reported to partially restore nocturnal melatonin peaks and improve circadian rhythm coherence as measured by locomotor activity and thermoregulatory endpoints. In vitro, epithalon stimulates 5-HT acetyltransferase (AANAT) activity in pinealocyte cultures — the rate-limiting step in melatonin synthesis — providing a plausible mechanistic link between the tetrapeptide and melatonin restoration.
Multiple studies in the Khavinson programme characterise epithalon's effects on enzymatic antioxidant defence. In lymphocyte, hepatocyte, and erythrocyte models, treatment is associated with increased catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation products (TBARS). These observations have been made in both young and aged animal models, with more pronounced effects in the latter — suggesting that the antioxidant response is partially linked to age-associated decline in endogenous antioxidant capacity. The transcriptional mechanism for SOD/catalase upregulation has not been fully characterised.
A series of rodent tumour model studies from the St. Petersburg group reported that long-term epithalon administration reduced spontaneous tumour incidence in cancer-prone mouse strains (C3H, SHR) and extended mean lifespan. Separate studies in mammary adenocarcinoma-bearing mice reported reduced tumour growth rate and prolonged latency. The proposed mechanisms involve immune regulation, antioxidant protection of DNA, and modulation of transcription factors controlling cell cycle checkpoints. These findings require independent replication in standardised tumour models by external groups.
Epithalon was developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Russia, as a synthetic analogue of epithalamin — a polypeptide fraction purified from bovine pineal glands. The research programme began in the 1980s under Soviet medical research funding and continued through the 1990s–2000s. The foundational publications are predominantly in Russian-language journals, with peer-reviewed English translations in journals including the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine and Cell Biology International.
The primary evidence comes from cell culture studies in primary human fibroblast and RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) cells published by Khavinson and Morgunova (2003–2010). These report hTERT mRNA upregulation, increased telomerase activity by TRAP assay, and extended replicative lifespan in treated cultures versus controls. The molecular mechanism — specifically how a tetrapeptide of 390 Da enters cells and modulates hTERT transcription — has not been fully resolved. Independent replication studies from groups outside the original programme are limited, making this an active area for confirmatory mechanistic research.
Epithalon is highly water-soluble (the molecule contains two acidic residues, Glu and Asp) and dissolves readily in sterile PBS, cell culture medium, or sterile water at concentrations used in most assays (1–1000 nM). Unlike hydrophobic peptides, DMSO is not required. For in vivo studies, reconstitution in sterile saline is standard. Stock solutions can be prepared at 1 mM in PBS and stored at -80°C in aliquots.
Yes. PeptidesFromChina.co supplies epithalon in wholesale quantities with tiered pricing. Purity ≥98% by HPLC. Certificates of Analysis available per batch. Pricing and minimum order quantities are provided on request after account verification.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.