Epitalon
The longevity tetrapeptide — activates telomerase, extends telomere length, and modulates pineal melatonin output.
Research facts
| Half-life | ~30 min to 2h |
|---|---|
| Route | SubQ / IM / Nasal |
| Typical dose | 5–10 mg/day |
| Frequency | Once daily (10-day cycles) |
| Solvent | Bacteriostatic water |
| pH | 5.5–7.0 |
| Stability | 30 days at +4°C |
Mechanism of action
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed from a peptide extract of the pineal gland (Epithalamin) by Russian researcher Vladimir Khavinson. Its primary documented mechanism is activation of telomerase — the enzyme responsible for extending and maintaining telomere length, which erodes with cellular ageing.
In vitro studies demonstrate that Epitalon induces telomerase expression and extends the replicative lifespan of human somatic cells. It also appears to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, reducing evening cortisol and increasing melatonin production from the pineal gland. This melatonin-enhancing effect contributes to improved sleep architecture observed in some studies.
Russian research spanning 30+ years claims anti-tumour, immune-modulating, and longevity effects — though much of this work lacks independent replication and was conducted under Soviet-era methodological standards that differ from modern RCT requirements. This limits the evidence tier to D despite the volume of publications.
Documented effects (research-model)
- Telomerase activation and potential telomere length extension
- Melatonin upregulation from pineal gland
- Improved sleep architecture and circadian rhythm support
- Antioxidant gene expression in animal models
- Potential anti-tumour effects (preclinical, primarily animal data)
- Hormonal normalisation in ageing animal models
Research protocols
| Protocol | Dose | Frequency | Cycle | Vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5–10 mg/day | Once daily SubQ | 10-day course, 1–2× per year | 10mg / 2mL BAC water |
Research context only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any protocol decision.
Synergies
Myths & misconceptions
Evidence gaps
- No rigorous Western RCTs. All human data comes from Russian publications with methodological limitations.
- Whether telomere extension in research conditions translates to clinically meaningful outcomes in humans is unestablished.
- Mechanism specificity: is telomerase activation direct, or downstream of pineal/hormonal normalisation?
Safety notes
No significant toxicity reported in Russian human studies (n=large but methodology dated). Monitor telomere length (commercially available test) as a research endpoint. Broad safety profile in animal studies.
Biomarkers to monitor
Primary-source citations
- PMID 12374591 — The pineal peptide preparation Epithalamin increases the lifespan of fruit flies, mice and rats (Mech Ageing Dev. 1994)
- PMID 12748974 — Epithalamin-related peptides increase the survival and lifespan (Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003)
Frequently asked
What is Epitalon?
Epitalon (Epithalon — Tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a research compound classified in our library as Tier D — Animal or in-vitro data only.. The longevity tetrapeptide — activates telomerase, extends telomere length, and modulates pineal melatonin output.
What is the evidence tier for Epitalon?
We classify Epitalon as Tier D: Animal or in-vitro data only. See our full peptide evidence tiers explainer for how we assign S/A/B/C/D.
What is the research dose of Epitalon?
For Epitalon, typical research dose is 5–10 mg/day, route is SubQ / IM / Nasal, half-life is ~30 min to 2h. Protocols vary by research goal — see the protocols section on this page for standard and advanced dosing schedules. Research use only, not medical advice.
Is Epitalon safe?
No significant toxicity reported in Russian human studies (n=large but methodology dated). Monitor telomere length (commercially available test) as a research endpoint. Research context only — no compound on this site is approved for human therapeutic use unless explicitly noted.