What Is Epithalon?
Epithalon (also spelled Epitalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Russian scientist Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is a synthetic version of epithalamin, a peptide naturally produced by the pineal gland. Epithalon is one of the most discussed peptides in longevity and anti-aging research circles.
Epithalon's claim to fame is its reported ability to activate telomerase — the enzyme that maintains telomere length, a key biomarker of cellular aging. This has made it one of the most popular "longevity peptides" despite limited human clinical data.
Quick Facts
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Amino Acids | 4 (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) |
| Molecular Weight | ~390 Da |
| Origin | Synthetic pineal gland peptide (Russian development) |
| Regulatory Status | Expected Category 1 reclassification |
| Prescription Required | Yes (pharmacy); No (research vendor) |
| Key Researcher | Vladimir Khavinson (St. Petersburg) |
Research Areas of Interest
- Telomerase activation — the primary area of interest; may promote telomere maintenance
- Anti-aging and longevity — studied for effects on lifespan in animal models
- Melatonin regulation — as a pineal peptide, may influence circadian rhythm and melatonin production
- Neuroendocrine function — studied for effects on pineal gland and hormonal regulation
- Antioxidant activity — preclinical research on oxidative stress reduction
How It's Sold
| Source | Form | Prescription? | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Vendors | Lyophilized powder (10mg/20mg vial) | No | $20-50/vial |
| Compounding Pharmacy | Injectable (subcutaneous) | Yes | $100-250/month |
What to Look For on the COA
- HPLC purity — minimum 95%, ideally 98%+
- Mass spectrometry — confirmed MW of ~390 Da
- Endotoxin testing — required for injectable forms
- Amino acid analysis — should confirm the Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly sequence
- Batch/lot number — must match product label
Epithalon is a very small peptide (4 amino acids), making it inexpensive to synthesize. This also means purity testing is relatively straightforward — any legitimate vendor should be able to provide clean COA data.
Storage Guide
- Lyophilized: Stable at room temperature short-term; 2-8°C recommended; -20°C long-term
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2-8°C. Use within 21-28 days
- Small tetrapeptides are generally more stable than larger peptides
Key Sourcing Tips
- Always request and verify the COA before purchasing
- Epithalon is a simple, cheap-to-synthesize tetrapeptide — pricing should reflect this. Avoid vendors charging premium prices
- Most research on Epithalon comes from a single research group — be aware that the evidence base is narrower than for peptides like BPC-157 or Ta1
- For research use: choose vendors with published third-party testing from named labs
- For personal use: work with a licensed provider and compounding pharmacy