Epitalon

Epitalon (also known as Epithalon or AEDG peptide) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) originally developed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is a synthetic analog of Epithalamin, a polypeptide extract from the pineal gland. Epitalon has been studied extensively in the context of telomerase biology and aging research.

Epitalon is a tetrapeptide with molecular weight 390.35 g/mol. Its compact four-amino-acid structure makes it one of the smallest bioactive peptides studied in aging research. The peptide is highly water-soluble and stable across physiological pH ranges.

The mechanism of interest centers on its reported interaction with telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene expression, the catalytic subunit of human telomerase.

• Telomerase biology: Studies have examined Epitalon's effects on telomerase activity in human somatic cell cultures and its interaction with hTERT expression (Khavinson et al., 2003).
• Aging models: Research in animal models has investigated relationships between Epitalon administration and lifespan parameters in rodent studies.
• Pineal function: Studies have examined Epitalon's effects on melatonin secretion patterns in aged rodent models.
• Antioxidant systems: Research has explored effects on enzymatic antioxidant pathways in cellular models.

• hTERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) gene expression modulation
• Melatonin synthesis pathway interaction in pineal models
• SOD and catalase activity modulation
• Cell cycle regulation pathway interaction

Key preclinical findings with published concentrations:

Khavinson et al. (2003): Epitalon at 0.1-100 nM activated telomerase in human somatic cell cultures that had reached replicative senescence. hTERT gene expression increased 2.4-fold at 10 nM. Telomere length increased from 5.1 to 7.8 kb after 13 passages.

Anisimov et al. (2003): Long-term study in female SHR mice. Chronic Epitalon at 1 µg/mouse (5x/week) increased mean lifespan by 12.3% vs controls. Reduced spontaneous tumor incidence by 1.5-fold.

Khavinson et al. (2006): Epitalon treatment normalized melatonin secretion patterns in aged rats (18 months), restoring nocturnal peak amplitude to levels comparable to young animals (3 months).

Typical in vitro concentrations: 0.1-100 nM (cell culture telomerase assays). In vivo: 0.1-10 µg per animal (rodent studies).

All findings from animal or in vitro studies.

Form: Lyophilized powder, 10mg per vial
Appearance: White powder
Molecular Weight: 390.35 g/mol

Reconstitution Guide:
- For 1 mg/mL stock: Add 10.0 mL bacteriostatic water
- For 5 mg/mL stock: Add 2.0 mL bacteriostatic water
- For 10 mg/mL stock: Add 1.0 mL bacteriostatic water
- Dissolves rapidly; gently swirl

Solubility: Freely soluble in water (>100 mg/mL), bacteriostatic water, PBS. Very high aqueous solubility due to small size and multiple charged residues.

Stability: Lyophilized stable 24 months at -20°C. Reconstituted: 30 days at 2-8°C. Excellent stability across pH 3-9.

Analytical Testing: HPLC, ESI-MS, LAL endotoxin, USP sterility. COA per batch.

This content was prepared for informational purposes based on published preclinical research. It does not constitute medical advice or product efficacy claims.

1. 1
   Khavinson VKh, et al. "Peptide Epitalon activates chromatin at the old age." Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003;24(5):329-33. PubMed: 14647006 PubMed
2. 2
   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(4):193-202. PubMed: 14501183 PubMed
3. 3
   Khavinson V, et al. "Epithalamin and Epitalon increase the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster." Mech Ageing Dev. 2000;120(1-3):141-9. PubMed: 11087911 PubMed