Epitalon (Research Overview)
Epitalon (also written Epithalon or AEDG peptide) is the synthetic tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. It was designed in Russia in the late 1980s and 1990s as a short synthetic counterpart to a pineal gland extract studied by the same group.
Mechanism of Action
Epitalon is a linear four-residue peptide with a free N-terminus and free C-terminus. With two acidic residues (Glu and Asp) it carries a net negative charge at neutral pH, and its listed molecular weight is about 390.3 Da.
Most mechanistic proposals come from a small number of research groups. They describe experiments in cell culture on telomerase activity and telomere length, and studies in which short peptides were proposed to interact with DNA or chromatin. These proposals have not been widely replicated by independent laboratories.
Research Areas
The literature on Epitalon is concentrated in cell-culture and rodent models, much of it from the group that first described it. Endpoints include telomerase expression in cultured cells, melatonin-related measures in animal models, and lifespan observations in rodents and fruit flies.
Because so much of the record comes from a single school of work, reviewers treat the findings as preliminary. Independent replication, standardized material characterization and controlled study designs remain open needs in this area.
Specification summary
Epitalon
Epitalon is coming soon to Sealed Peptides. Sizes and pricing are not yet listed; you can ask for one email when it is available. For laboratory research use only.
Related materials
Related compounds
Laboratory background
Education for people working with this material in the laboratory: guides on handling and analysis, definitions of terms, and arithmetic tools. It describes no use of the material.
Guides
References
- Araj SK, Brzezik J, Mądra-Gackowska K, Szeleszczuk Ł. Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(6). PMID 40141333 · DOI
- Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003;135(6):590-2. PMID 12937682 · DOI
- Al-Dulaimi S, Thomas R, Matta S, Roberts T. Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity. Biogerontology. 2025;26(5):178. PMID 40908429 · DOI
- Vanhee C, Moens G, Van Hoeck E, Deconinck E, De Beer JO. Identification of the small research tetra peptide Epitalon, assumed to be a potential treatment for cancer, old age and Retinitis Pigmentosa in two illegal pharmaceutical preparations. Drug Test Anal. 2015;7(3):259-64. PMID 25535022 · DOI
Cited literature is provided for scientific context only and does not describe or endorse any use of these products.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.