Epithalon (Epitalon) peptide: structure and published research
- Sequence: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), a tetrapeptide
- Alternative spelling: Epitalon
- Monoisotopic mass: 390.14 Da; [M+H]+ ≈ 391.15
- Origin: designed by a St Petersburg group from the pineal extract epithalamin
- Evidence base: small, concentrated in one research group
What Epithalon is
Epithalon is a four-residue synthetic peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. It was developed by Khavinson and colleagues as a simple synthetic counterpart to epithalamin, an extract of the pineal gland, and is the best known of the short “peptide bioregulators” the group has proposed.1 The English spelling varies (Epithalon or Epitalon), and both refer to the same sequence.
Telomerase studies
The paper cited most often reports that Epithalon induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells in culture.2 It is a short report in a Russian experimental-medicine journal, and it is the origin of most claims connecting the peptide to telomere biology. Independent replication in other laboratories has been limited, which is worth weighing against its prominence online.
Ageing biomarkers in mice
In an experiment with female Swiss-derived SHR mice, the authors evaluated Epitalon's effect on biomarkers of ageing, life span and spontaneous tumour incidence.3 A later review by the same research groups summarises this and related work on short peptides as regulators of ageing.1 These are single-strain mouse results and should be read as hypotheses.
Limits of the evidence
- Most primary data come from one network of laboratories, and the review literature is largely self-citing.
- No receptor or clear molecular target for a four-residue peptide of this kind has been established in the papers cited here.
- Telomerase induction in culture does not by itself demonstrate any effect on ageing in an organism.
Regulatory status
To our knowledge Epithalon is not an authorised medicine in the EU or US. Regulatory positions change, so confirm the current status with the relevant authority. Null Bio Lab supplies it strictly as a laboratory research reagent.
Verifying a batch
For a tetrapeptide, the key checks are HPLC purity, a measured mass near 391.15 [M+H]+, measured quantity, and a matching batch number. Short polar peptides elute early on reverse-phase columns, so the chromatogram deserves a look beyond the purity number. See how to read a peptide COA. Reagent page: NB-Epithalon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Epithalon sequence?
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), a tetrapeptide with a monoisotopic mass of 390.14 Da.
Is Epithalon the same as Epitalon?
Yes. Both spellings refer to the same tetrapeptide.
What is Epithalon derived from?
It was designed as a synthetic counterpart to epithalamin, a pineal gland extract.
How strong is the evidence?
Limited and concentrated in one research network. Independent replication is thin.
References
- Anisimov VN, Khavinson VK. Peptide bioregulation of aging: results and prospects. Biogerontology. 2010;11. doi:10.1007/s10522-009-9249-8.
- Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2003;135(6):590–592. doi:10.1023/A:1025493705728.
- Anisimov VN, et al. Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice. Biogerontology. 2003;4. doi:10.1023/a:1025114230714.
Related reading
For newly published papers on this and other peptides, see the live feed on the Research Desk.