Epitalon
Also referred to as: Epithalon, Epithalone, AEDG peptide
A lab-made four-amino-acid peptide based on a pineal-gland substance, studied in aging and telomere research, mostly in Russia.
In plain terms: Epitalon is a tiny lab-made peptide based on a substance from the pineal gland (a small gland that helps run your body clock). It is popular in longevity circles and studied for aging and telomeres. Most of the research is from Russia, and much of it is early-stage.
- Name
- Epitalon
- Aliases
- Epithalon, Epithalone, AEDG peptide
- Classification
- Synthetic tetrapeptide
- Areas studied
- Aging research, Telomeres, Sleep/melatonin
What it is
Epitalon is a lab-made peptide of just four amino acids (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly), based on a natural substance from the pineal gland — the gland involved in sleep and the body's daily clock.
It is studied in aging research, including effects on telomeres (the protective caps on the ends of your DNA). Much of the research comes from Russian institutions.
Mechanism
In cell studies, Epitalon has been linked to switching on telomerase — an enzyme that can rebuild telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes that shorten as cells age. It has also been studied for influencing melatonin, the body's sleep-timing hormone.
These effects come mostly from cell and animal studies plus some small human research.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where Epitalon appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Aging research
Studied for geroprotective (aging-slowing) effects in animal models.
Telomeres
Linked in cell studies to telomerase, which rebuilds the protective caps on DNA.
Sleep & melatonin
Studied for influencing melatonin and the body's daily clock.
Pineal peptide biology
Based on a natural pineal-gland substance.
Research history
Epitalon was developed in Russia at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, based on the pineal extract epithalamin. It has been studied there for decades, with limited research elsewhere.
State of the literature
Epitalon has a long research record concentrated in Russian institutions, much of it early-stage and not widely repeated internationally. It is not an approved drug.
What to keep in mind
Epitalon is a magnet for big "anti-aging" and "extend your telomeres" claims — but telomerase activity in a cell dish is a long way from a longer, healthier human life, and much of the research is from one region and not widely confirmed. Activating telomerase also raises its own questions. Treat the longevity claims as unproven and read the actual studies.
Research tools
Evaluating a Epitalon batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often Epitalon is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See what a published COA looks like
Midwest Compounds does not currently list Epitalon. Every compound it does sell is tested by an independent lab, with a batch-linked certificate of analysis you can check before you buy.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Khavinson VK, et al. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2003. Abstract
- Olszewska-Słonina D, et al. Overview of Epitalon—Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025. Free full text PMC