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Peptide Library / Longevity / Cellular

Epithalon (Epitalon)

Pineal tetrapeptide

Epithalon (Epitalon) Research Protocol

Complete Research Guide 5 min read4 peer-reviewed references

Quickstart Overview

Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as the synthetic analogue of pineal extract Epithalamin. It is studied for telomerase activation, circadian melatonin regulation and lifespan extension in animal models.

Reconstitution
Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water to a 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL
Literature Range
5–10 mg per administration
Measuring Reference
At 5 mg/mL: 5 mg = 1.0 mL = 100 units
Frequency
Once daily for 10–20 days
Cycle Frequency
1–2 cycles per year (Khavinson protocol)
Route (studies)
Subcutaneous or intramuscular; intranasal reported

Scientific Data

Molecular Formula
—
Molecular Weight
390.35 Da
Sequence
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly
Sequence Length
12
CAS
Research compound
Peptide Family
Bioregulator
Half-life
Refer to published literature
Solubility
Bacteriostatic water, sterile saline
Storage
Lyophilized: -20°C. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 2–4 weeks.
Appearance
White lyophilized powder
Standard: 10 mg vial · 2 mL diluent

Dosing & Reconstitution Guide

Interactive Reconstitution
Adjust vial size, diluent and target dose. Results update live.
Full Precision Calculator →
Concentration
5.00 mg/mL
Draw Volume
1.000 mL
Syringe Units
100.0 U
Doses / Vial
2

Units assume a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL). Because full-vial volumes are common, some protocols reconstitute with 1.0 mL for 10 mg/mL.

Frequency: Once daily, 10–20 day course

Reconstitution Steps

  1. 1Bring vial to room temperature; swab stoppers.
  2. 2Add bacteriostatic water slowly along the glass.
  3. 3Swirl gently until clear.
  4. 4Label and refrigerate; use within 3 weeks.

Supplies Needed

Planning example for one 10-day course at 10 mg daily.

Peptide (10 mg vials)
10-day course = 100 mg = 10 vials · 20-day = 20 vials
Bacteriostatic Water
One 30 mL vial
Syringes (U-100, 1 mL)
10–20
Alcohol Swabs
2 per administration

Protocol Overview

Goal
Model pineal bioregulation, telomerase activity and circadian normalisation.
Schedule
Short intensive courses (10–20 days) repeated 1–2× per year.
Dose Range
5–10 mg/day.
Original Protocol
Khavinson: 10 mg daily × 10 days, or 5 mg every 3 days × 10 doses.

Dosing Protocol

Standard Course
10 mg daily for 10 days
Extended Course
5 mg daily for 20 days
Low-dose Course
5 mg every 3rd day for 30 days
Frequency
Once daily, evening
Cycle Frequency
Every 4–6 months
Timing
Evening administration aligns with pineal melatonin rhythm

Storage Instructions

Lyophilized
−20 °C long term; stable at 2–8 °C for months
Reconstituted
2–8 °C, use within 3 weeks
Light
Protect from light

Important Notes

  • The majority of literature originates from a single Russian research group (Khavinson et al.); independent replication is limited.
  • Human data consists of long-term observational studies in elderly cohorts rather than RCTs.
  • Effects on melatonin and sleep are typically the first reported in short courses.
  • Minimal side-effect profile reported across decades of use in Russian gerontology.

How This Works

Epithalon is proposed to act as a geroprotective bioregulator by inducing telomerase (hTERT) expression in somatic cells, elongating telomeres and extending the replicative capacity of human fibroblasts in vitro. In vivo it normalises circadian melatonin secretion from the pineal gland, restores evening cortisol rhythms, and modulates expression of genes involved in antioxidant defence and apoptosis. Mouse studies showed decreased tumour incidence and extended maximum lifespan; a 12-year observational human study reported reduced mortality in elderly participants receiving periodic courses.

Potential Benefits & Side Effects

Reported in research
  • Telomerase activation and telomere elongation in human cell cultures
  • Normalisation of melatonin secretion and sleep–wake rhythm
  • Extended lifespan and reduced tumour incidence in rodent models
  • Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic gene modulation
  • Reduced cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in elderly observational cohorts
  • Retinal protection in retinitis pigmentosa models
Possible considerations
  • Very few reported; mild injection-site reactions
  • Transient drowsiness (consistent with melatonin modulation)
  • Lack of large independent safety trials

Lifestyle Factors

  • Dark, cool sleep environment supports circadian research endpoints
  • Consistent sleep–wake timing during the course
  • Blue-light reduction in the evening is a common control condition

Injection Technique

  1. 1Subcutaneous abdominal or intramuscular deltoid.
  2. 2Volumes of 1–2 mL are typical; inject slowly.
  3. 3Evening administration, rotating sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Third-party HPLC testing

CG Labz Verified Batches

No published batches yet.

Research Disclaimer

All compounds are supplied strictly for laboratory research. Dosing figures below summarize ranges reported in published preclinical and clinical literature for reference purposes only. CG Labz does not provide medical advice or individualized dosing recommendations.

Peer-reviewed literature

References

  1. [1] Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
    Khavinson V.Kh. et al. Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell.
    View Source
  2. [2] Neuroendocrinology Letters
    Anisimov V.N. et al. Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice.
    View Source
  3. [3] Biogerontology
    Khavinson V.Kh. & Morozov V.G. Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life.
    View Source
  4. [4] Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
    Korkushko O.V. et al. Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people.
    View Source