Epithalon – 25MG

What Is Epithalon?

Research has suggested that Epithalon, (also known as AEDG peptide, tetrapeptide Epitalon, Epithalon, or Epithalone) may regulate the function of the brain, the pineal gland, and the eye retina. Studies in the peptide have spurred numerous research hypotheses, which include possible sleep regulation via pineal gland stimulation, releasing more melatonin. Studies also speculate that the peptide may stimulate the generation of telomerase, may exhibit strong antioxidant characteristics, and extend the retina’s workable integrity.

With recent technology and ongoing advances in the scientific field, methods have been developed to synthesize complex peptide preparations from the extracts of several different tissues. One such peptide in the tissues is ‘Epithalamin,’ naturally produced in the pineal gland. Epithalamin has been suggested to be functional in increasing melatonin production, improving the immunological and anti-carcinogenic functions in rats and mice, and restoring reproductive function in aged rodents. Utilizing the recent advancements in science, a peptide similar to Epithalamin was synthesized and titled ‘Epithalon.’ Epithalon is derived from a naturally occurring peptide belonging to both the pineal gland and eye retina.⁽¹⁾

 

How Is Epithalon Thought to Work?

Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide, also known as AEDG peptide, composed of amino acids Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly.⁽²⁾ The peptide has been suggested to exhibit action similar to Epithalamin via various modes. Epithalon was designed from Epithalamin’s amino acid composition, and has been purported to potentially increase the average lifespan of various experimental models by 11–31% and may reduce mortality in two mice strains, rats, and fly models by a suggested 27-52%, depending on the model.⁽³⁾ This potential mechanism and further studies are described below.

 

Specifications

Name	Epithalon
Other known names	Epitalon, Epithalone, AEDG peptide
Sequence	Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (4 amino acids)
Molecular formula	C14H22N4O9
Molecular weight	390.35 g/mol
CAS number	307297-39-8
Synthesis	Solid-phase peptide synthesis, US
Form	Lyophilized powder
Amount per vial	25 mg
Purity	>99% (HPLC)
Storage	−20 °C, dry, protected from light
SKU	P-EPITALON-25

 

What Does Research Show About Epithalon?

What Does Research Suggest About Epithalon and Longevity?

Key finding: In gingival mesenchymal stem cells, Epithalon increased the synthesis of the neuronal differentiation markers Nestin, GAP43, β-Tubulin III and Doublecortin and raised their mRNA expression 1.6- to 1.8-fold; molecular modelling suggested it binds histones H1/3 and H1/6 at sites that interact with DNA.⁽²⁾

A study investigated the potential mechanisms of Epithalon in influencing gene expression and protein synthesis in stem cells such as gingival mesenchymal stem cells (hGMSCs). The study⁽²⁾ has suggested that the peptide binds with the histones – H1/6 and H1/3 – located at different sites in tissue, which then interact with the DNA. More specifically, the study posits that Epithalon may alter chromatin structure by specifically interacting with histones, thereby modulating gene expression. This interaction might involve the peptide acting as a histone mimic, facilitating changes in chromatin dynamics. Epithalon’s epigenetic regulation might involve competitive binding with histones at DNA interaction sites, increasing transcription of genes involved in neuronal differentiation. Such binding may displace other regulatory proteins, making DNA more accessible for transcriptional machinery, potentially inducing neuronal cell differentiation in retinal and periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). This experimentation led to an upregulation of neurogenic differentiation markers, including Nestin, GAP43, β Tubulin III, and Doublecortin, in hGMSCs. Specifically, mRNA expression of these markers increased by 1.6 to 1.8 times. Considering the changes in these markers, the potential upregulation of neuronal differentiation and protein synthesis in retinal and ligament stem cells may lead to enhanced functionality.

How May Epithalon Affect Oxidative Stress?

Key finding: In post-ovulatory oocytes aging in culture, 0.1 mM Epithalon reduced reactive oxygen species, spindle defects and abnormal cortical granule distribution, raised mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial DNA copy number, and reduced apoptosis by 24 hours.⁽⁴⁾

A recent study suggested that Epithalon might reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in aged oocyte cells, potentially exhibiting antioxidative actions.⁽⁴⁾ The peptide was suggested to significantly lower ROS levels, unlike higher concentrations that did not demonstrate similar protective actions. Such a reduction might be critical, as oxidative stress is considered a significant factor in cellular aging. Additionally, Epithalon may help preserve the structural integrity of oocytes. It was observed to possibly decrease fragmentation in post-ovulatory aged oocytes and during parthenogenetic activation—a process where an egg develops into an embryo without fertilization. The peptide also potentially maintains spindle integrity and correct distribution of cortical granules (CG). Spindles, which are crucial structures in cell division that distribute chromosomes to daughter cells, and cortical granules, secretory vesicles important for preventing polyspermy (the fertilization of an egg by multiple sperm), are essential for normal cell division and fertilization. Epithalon might correct spindle abnormalities and prevent the misplacement of CGs, which are common issues in aged oocytes. Moreover, Epithalon exposure was associated with potential improvements in mitochondrial function, which is vital for oocyte viability. Mitochondria, known as the cell’s powerhouses, are deemed crucial for ATP production and maintaining cellular metabolism. There were indications of enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mtDNA copy numbers, suggesting that Epithalon might support mitochondrial integrity and functionality as oocytes age. Finally, the peptide was suggested to reduce DNA damage and apoptosis (cell death) in aged oocytes. It appeared to lower the intensity of γH2AX signals—a marker of DNA damage—and seemed to decrease apoptosis rates, as indicated by reduced Annexin-V staining. These observations imply that Epithalon might enhance oocyte survival by potentially mitigating oxidative damage and preserving genomic stability, which are considered crucial for maintaining the overall functionality of the cells.

What Do Cell Aging Studies Suggest?

Key finding: In skin fibroblasts aging in culture, Epithalon (AEDG) and related short peptides inhibited MMP-9 synthesis and raised Ki-67 and CD98hc expression; Epithalon and AED also suppressed caspase-dependent apoptosis.⁽⁵⁾

In order to understand the anti-aging action of various synthetic peptides, studies have been widely conducted to study their potential in cell proliferation, cell regeneration and aging, cellular apoptosis, and matrix modeling.⁽⁵⁾ It was suggested that Epithalon may inhibit the synthesis of MMP-9, which usually increases with time, and increase the proliferation and cellular regeneration process, which usually decreases with time. More specifically, the researchers posited that the peptide may have “enhanced the expression of Ki-67 and CD98hc that are less intensively synthesized during cell aging.” Epithalon also seemed to inhibit the activity of Caspase-3, a crucial enzyme believed to facilitate apoptosis (programmed cell death). The researchers commented that the peptide “suppressed caspase-dependent apoptosis that increases during aging of cell cultures.” By potentially restraining Caspase-3 activity, Epithalon might support cellular longevity and decrease apoptosis, enhancing its regenerative capabilities.

What Did Studies in Fetal Cells Show?

Key finding: In fetal lung fibroblasts that had stopped dividing at passage 34, Epithalon elongated telomeres to their early-passage length, and the cells made 10 extra divisions (44 passages) compared with controls.⁽⁶⁾

This study⁽⁶⁾ was conducted to understand the proliferative potential of the peptide on fetal fibroblastic cells. Pulmonary fibroblasts were isolated from the 24-week-old fetus, and it was observed that these fibroblasts appeared to lose their proliferative function at the 34th passage. These cells possessed extremely small telomeres sizes – smaller than what they originally were during the 10th passage. When Epithalon was presented in these otherwise aging cells, it appeared to stimulate the development of telomeres, causing them to increase and restore their normal size. As a result of this size elongation, the telomeres appeared to cause 10 extra cell divisions than usual seen in the control cells. Thus, this study suggested that Epithalon overcame the Hayflick limit and extended the normal cell cycle in the cells.⁽⁶⁾

How May Epithalon Affect Lymphocytic Cells?

Key finding: In cultured lymphocytes from donors aged 76–80, Epithalon activated ribosomal genes, decondensed pericentromeric structural heterochromatin and released genes repressed by age-related chromatin condensation.⁽⁷⁾

In this study,⁽⁷⁾ lymphocytic cells were isolated and cultured from subjects aged between 76 and 80 years. The purpose of this study was to determine the action of Epithalon on ribosomal cell activity and its impact on denaturation and polymorphism of heterochromatin. The outcome of this study, following the delivery of the cell culture with Epithalon, was that the peptide appeared to induce activation of the ribosomal genes and decondensation of the heterochromatin. Consequently, it appeared to induce the release of genes that were otherwise suppressed due to the aging of the chromosomal regions. This study suggested that Epithalon might have the potential to modify the chromosome regions in the aging cells, activate chromatin, and restore cellular activities that were otherwise suppressed or delayed in geriatric subjects.

Could Epithalon Have Anti-Mutagenic Potential?

Key finding: Epithalon exposure apparently lowered bone marrow chromosome aberrations by 20% in senescence-accelerated SAMP-1 models and by 30.1% and 17.9% in SAMR-1 and SHR models, compared with age-matched controls.⁽⁸⁾

In this 2002 study,⁽⁸⁾ three different models were evaluated to determine the potential actions of the peptide on chromosomal aberrations: accelerated-aging SAMP-1 models, normally aging SAMR-1 models, and SHR models. In unexposed control models, the baseline incidence of bone marrow chromosome aberrations in SAMP-1 was approximately two times higher than in the other two models (1.8 times higher than SAMR-1 and 2.2 times higher than SHR). Exposure to Epithalon apparently decreased chromosome aberrations in all three strains, with the greatest relative reduction observed in SAMR-1 (30.1%). In parallel, melatonin exposure was tested as an independent reference exposure in SHR mice and apparently had no action on chromosomal aberrations. The authors concluded that Epithalon may demonstrate an antimutagenic action that likely underlies its geroprotective potential.

What Does Research Suggest About Epithalon and Cancer Cells?

Key finding: In one-year-old female C₃H/He lab models observed for 6.5 months, Epithalon five times a week decreased the number of models with malignant tumors and prevented metastases, which appeared in 3 of 9 tumor-bearing controls.⁽⁹⁾

In this study,⁽⁹⁾ one-year-old female (C₃H/He) mice with tumors on the reproductive organs (mammary glands and ovaries) were observed. The tumors on the mammary glands included several variants of the invasive ductal carcinogenic cells, whereas, in the ovaries, the tumors found were granulosa cell tumors. These mice, kept in standard conditions for six months, were divided into control and experimental groups. Epithalon was presented five times a week. Once the study was completed, it was reported that three out of the nine mice in the control group appeared to exhibit metastasis and increased tumor cells. Meanwhile, the peptide mice exhibited a decrease in the number of tumor cells. Epithalon, upon delivery, appeared to inhibit the process of metastasis in the mice, preventing tumor cell cycle and growth. Researchers of this study posited the anti-metastatic potential of the peptide.

What Did Research in Hypophysectomized Birds Show?

Key finding: In hypophysectomized young and old avian models, Epithalon (AEDG) and the related peptide KEDG (Testagen) both restored the structure of the thymus regardless of age; KEDG had the stronger effect.⁽¹⁰⁾

In this study,⁽¹⁰⁾ hypophysectomized birds, both young and old, were used to study the action of Epithalon peptide on the morphology of the thymus gland. Hypophysectomized birds are birds in which the pituitary gland has been surgically removed. Upon delivery of the peptide, it was discovered that the morphology of the thymus gland appeared to be restored in all birds, regardless of their age. The changes in the thymus were most pronounced after neonatal hypophysectomy in birds (mainly chickens) that underwent the procedure before the peptide was presented.

How May Epithalon Affect Melatonin Levels?

Key finding: In aged primate lab models, pineal peptide preparations, Epithalamin and the synthetic tetrapeptide Epithalon, restored night-time melatonin release and normalized the hormone’s daily rhythm.⁽¹¹⁾

This study⁽¹¹⁾ was carried out on aging monkeys to determine the actions of Epithalon on melatonin levels. With increasing age, the melatonin levels tend to decrease due to reduced secretion, which may cause difficulty in sleep regulation. This is mainly due to the functioning of the pineal gland deteriorating with increased age and a reduction of hormone circadian rhythm amplitude. Upon delivery of Epithalon, it appeared to stimulate actions similar to those caused by the natural secretion of the pineal gland. The melatonin levels appeared to increase to “normal” levels.

How May Epithalon Affect Retinal Cells?

Key finding: In a lab model of hereditary retinal degeneration (retinitis pigmentosa), Epithalon intensified the bioelectric and functional activity of the retina by preserving its morphological structure.⁽¹²⁾

In this clinical study,⁽¹²⁾ it was suggested that when Epithalon was presented in geriatric subjects, it appeared to elevate the bioelectric and functional activities in the retina, thereby preserving the morphological structure of the retina. More specifically, the researchers posited that the peptide “participates in the mechanisms of transcription common for the epiphysis and retina.” As a result, age-related retinal degeneration may be reversed in the older subjects, which is supported by the positive clinical outcome in 90% of the subjects presented with the peptide.

What Does Research Suggest About Geroprotective Properties?

This long term study⁽¹³⁾ was conducted on 266 elderly models, where some subjects were presented with peptide-bioregulator Thymalin, others with Epithalamin, and the rest with the combination of the two. After the study, it was observed that both the peptides appeared to have the potential to restore basic bodily functions in geriatric subjects – including improved functions in the cardiovascular, endocrinal, immune, and nervous systems, along with normalized metabolic and hemostatic activities. The peptide groups appeared to exhibit a 2-fold decrease in the common geriatric disorders such as acute respiratory disorder, heart diseases, and bone disorders. Additionally, the mortality rate in the peptide subjects appeared to significantly decrease, with a 2-fold decrease in the Thymalin subjects, a 1.8-fold decrease in the Epithalamin subjects, and 2.5-fold decrease in the subjects presented with both peptides.

 

Certificate of Analysis

Batch / lot	C74123
Test date	7/22/2026
Testing laboratory	Vanguard Laboratory
Method	HPLC-UV/VIS (identity and purity)
Purity result	99.38%
Full report	Download the Epithalon COA (PDF)

Epithalon peptide is available for research and laboratory purposes only. We offer free shipping in the US for orders over $200. Please review our Terms and Conditions before ordering.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

References:

1. Khavinson, V. K. (2002). Peptides and ageing. Neuro endocrinology letters, 23(Suppl 3), 11–144. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12374906/
2. Khavinson, V., Diomede, F., Mironova, E., Linkova, N., Trofimova, S., Trubiani, O., Caputi, S., & Sinjari, B. (2020). AEDG peptide (Epitalon) stimulates gene expression and protein synthesis during neurogenesis: possible epigenetic mechanism. Molecules, 25(3), 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030609
3. Anisimov, V. N., Mylnikov, S. V., & Khavinson, V. K. (1998). Pineal peptide preparation epithalamin increases the lifespan of fruit flies, mice and rats. Mechanisms of ageing and development, 103(2), 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0047-6374(98)00034-7
4. Yue, X., Liu, S. L., Guo, J. N., Meng, T. G., Zhang, X. R., Li, H. X., Song, C. Y., Wang, Z. B., Schatten, H., Sun, Q. Y., & Guo, X. P. (2022). Epitalon protects against post-ovulatory aging-related damage of mouse oocytes in vitro. Aging, 14(7), 3191–3202. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204007
5. Lin’kova, N. S., Drobintseva, A. O., Orlova, O. A., Kuznetsova, E. P., Polyakova, V. O., Kvetnoy, I. M., & Khavinson, V. K. (2016). Peptide regulation of skin fibroblast functions during their aging in vitro. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 161(1), 175–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-016-3370-x
6. Khavinson, V. K., Bondarev, I. E., Butyugov, A. A., & Smirnova, T. D. (2004). Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 137(5), 503–506. https://doi.org/10.1023/b:bebm.0000038164.49947.8c
7. Khavinson, V. K., Lezhava, T. A., Monaselidze, J. R., Jokhadze, T. A., Dvalishvili, N. A., Bablishvili, N. K., & Trofimova, S. V. (2003). Peptide Epitalon activates chromatin at the old age. Neuro endocrinology letters, 24(5), 329–333. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14647006/
8. Rosenfeld, S. V., Togo, E. F., Mikheev, V. S., Popovich, I. G., Khavinson, V. K., & Anisimov, V. N. (2002). Effect of epithalon on the incidence of chromosome aberrations in senescence-accelerated mice. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 133(3), 274–276. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1015899003974
9. Kossoy, G., Anisimov, V. N., Ben-Hur, H., Kossoy, N., & Zusman, I. (2006). Effect of the synthetic pineal peptide epitalon on spontaneous carcinogenesis in female C3H/He mice. In vivo, 20(2), 253–257. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16634527/
10. Pateyk, A. V., Baranchugova, L. M., Rusaeva, N. S., Obydenko, V. I., & Kuznik, B. I. (2013). Effect of peptides Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly and Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly on the morphology of the thymus in hypophysectomized young and old birds. Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine, 154(5), 681–685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-013-2029-0
11. Korkushko, O. V., Lapin, B. A., Goncharova, N. D., Khavinson, V. K., Shatilo, V. B., Vengerin, A. A., Antoniuk-Shcheglova, I. A., & Magdich, L. V. (2007). [Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people]. Advances in gerontology, 20(1), 74–85. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17969590/
12. Khavinson, V., Razumovsky, M., Trofimova, S., Grigorian, R., & Razumovskaya, A. (2002). Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa. Neuro endocrinology letters, 23(4), 365–368. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12195242/
13. Khavinson, V. K., & Morozov, V. G. (2002). [Geroprotective effect of thymalin and epithalamin]. Advances in gerontology, 10, 74–84. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12577695/

Related reading: Epitalon research in cell aging and metastasis and Epithalon and skin research.

Last updated Oct 22, 2026 · Scientific review: Dr. Dimitar Marinov, MD, PhD