Epithalon (Epitalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from epithalamin, a peptide complex originally isolated from the pineal gland. For research teams studying telomere biology, cellular aging, and neuroendocrine regulation, it offers a compact, well-defined model compound from the Khavinson bioregulator lineage. Puritide Research supplies Epithalon as a high-purity, research-use-only material, synthesized for in vitro and animal-model work and backed by third-party-verified certificates of analysis so your data rests on consistent, documented quality.
Available Sizes
- ›Epithalon 10 mg Vial
- ›Epithalon 50 mg Vial
Product Specifications
- Application
- Telomere biology and cellular-aging pathway research
- Appearance
- Solid, white lyophilized powder in a sealed glass vial
- Chemical Formula
- C14H22N4O9
- PubChem SID
- 219042
- CAS Number
- 307297-39-8
- Molecular Weight
- ~390.35 g/mol
- Synonyms
- Epithalon, Epitalon, Epithalone, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, AEDG, AGAG tetrapeptide
- Storage
- Store at ≤25°C, sealed, away from heat, light, and moisture. For extended storage, keep lyophilized and refrigerated or frozen.
What Is Epithalon?
Epithalon (Epitalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the amino acid sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). It was designed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a defined short-peptide analog of epithalamin, a natural pineal-gland extract, and is among the most extensively studied of the Khavinson peptide bioregulators.
In experimental settings, Epithalon is used to investigate telomere maintenance, telomerase activity, chromatin regulation, and neuroendocrine signaling associated with the pineal gland. Its small size and proposed ability to interact with DNA make it a compelling model for research on gene-expression modulation in cellular and animal systems.
Present understanding of Epithalon derives from in vitro assays, cell-culture models, and animal studies, and observations should be interpreted within their experimental context rather than treated as established physiological or clinical outcomes. Puritide Research supplies Epithalon strictly for laboratory use; it is not approved for human or veterinary application.
Epithalon Mechanism of Action (Research Only)
Epithalon is studied as a peptide bioregulator proposed to influence gene expression through direct interaction with DNA and chromatin, as well as through modulation of telomerase activity. The mechanisms below reflect observations from biochemical assays, cell-culture studies, and animal models, and should be read strictly in a research context.
Telomerase and Telomere Biology
A central focus of Epithalon research is its reported ability to increase telomerase activity in cultured human cells, which has been associated in some studies with elongation of telomeres and extended replicative capacity. Investigators use it as a tool to probe the relationship between short peptides and telomere maintenance.
These studies treat Epithalon as a model for examining how a minimal peptide sequence may influence the enzymatic machinery governing chromosomal end protection under controlled laboratory conditions.
Gene Expression and Chromatin Interaction
The Khavinson framework proposes that short peptides such as Epithalon can penetrate the cell and nucleus and interact with specific DNA sequences and histone proteins, thereby modulating gene transcription. Researchers use Epithalon to test this proposed epigenetic-style mechanism in defined systems.
Because it is associated with pineal signaling, Epithalon is also examined in models of neuroendocrine and circadian regulation, where it serves as a tool for characterizing peptide-mediated effects on hormone-related gene expression rather than as a defined receptor ligand.
Epithalon Research Applications
Epithalon is investigated across cellular-aging, gerontology, and neuroendocrinology studies as a model tetrapeptide bioregulator. The observations below derive from biochemical studies, cell-based assays, and animal models, and should be interpreted within their respective settings.
Cellular Aging and Telomere Studies
A primary application is investigating telomerase activity and telomere dynamics in cultured cells and animal models, where Epithalon is used to characterize how a short peptide may influence replicative senescence and chromosomal maintenance.
Epithalon is also employed in comparative work alongside other Khavinson bioregulators to characterize tissue-specific activity and signaling behavior without establishing therapeutic effect.
Neuroendocrine and Circadian Models
Researchers apply Epithalon to study pineal-associated neuroendocrine signaling and circadian regulation, bridging mechanistic findings with broader investigations of peptide bioregulation. These studies aim to improve understanding of gene-expression modulation rather than to establish physiological or therapeutic outcomes.
Comparison
| Parameter | Epithalon | Chonluten | Cortagen |
|---|
| Molecular classification | Synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator | Synthetic tripeptide bioregulator | Synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator |
| Amino acid sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG) | Glu-Asp-Gly (EDG) | Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro (AEDP) |
| Associated tissue model | Pineal / telomere biology | Bronchial / respiratory epithelium | Cerebral cortex / neural tissue |
| Primary research focus | Telomerase & cellular aging | Respiratory epithelial gene expression | Neural tissue gene expression |
| Peptide family | Khavinson bioregulator | Khavinson bioregulator | Khavinson bioregulator |
Laboratory Safety & Handling (Research Use Only)
Epithalon is a synthetic, lyophilized research peptide for laboratory investigation only. It should be handled by qualified personnel in controlled environments, in accordance with institutional policies, laboratory safety procedures, and applicable regulations. As an investigational material, laboratories should implement practices that prioritize material integrity, traceability, and reproducibility.
Handling & Storage Guidelines
Follow institutional SOPs, chemical hygiene plans, and approved protocols; wear appropriate PPE (lab coat, gloves, eye protection); and use engineering controls where required. Record lot numbers, storage conditions, and handling activities, and retain Certificates of Analysis and batch documentation to support traceability and audit readiness.
Store material under the conditions specified in product documentation, protected from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light. Reconstituted peptide should be kept refrigerated and used within the timeframe indicated by internal validation. Consistent handling and documentation support reliable, reproducible outcomes.
Certificate of Analysis & Quality Assurance
Each Epithalon batch ships with a third-party-verified Certificate of Analysis, providing transparent, research-grade quality control. The CoA includes a purity assessment (HPLC / reverse-phase chromatography), mass-spectrometry identity confirmation, and lot number, testing date, and method documentation.
Researchers may request sample CoAs (PDF) ahead of purchase to confirm testing parameters, analytical methods, and batch consistency, and are encouraged to perform independent verification.
Research Use Only
