Epitalon: Complete Research Guide — Pineal Tetrapeptide, Telomerase Activation Data & White-Label Pricing (2026)
- Epitalon (also: Epithalon; CAS: 307297-39-8) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, MW: 390.35 Da) representing the active sequence of epithalamin, a polypeptide fraction isolated from the bovine pineal gland. Developed and extensively studied by Prof. Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Russia, over more than two decades of published research.
- Khavinson et al. (2003) published the foundational in vitro study demonstrating that epitalon induces expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase (hTERT), activates telomerase enzyme activity, and promotes telomere elongation in telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast cultures — the primary mechanistic basis for epitalon’s research profile (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2003 — PMID: 12768020).
- A 2025 peer-reviewed publication (Al-Dulaimi et al., Biogerontology) independently confirmed epitalon-mediated telomere length increases in both normal and cancer human cell lines via telomerase upregulation or alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanisms.
- Preclinical lifespan studies across Drosophila melanogaster (11–16% lifespan increase), multiple mouse strains, and rats constitute the primary in vivo evidence base; all published data derives from the Khavinson/Anisimov research group or closely affiliated investigators.
- Research-grade epitalon is available in a 10mg configuration (Research Use Only) with batch-specific COAs through the YPB catalog.
- 18,000 monthly US searches; $80.23 gross margin per unit at Premier tier (80%); the highest margin percentage of any compound in the longevity category on the YPB platform. Updated April 2026.
What Is Epitalon and Where Does It Come From?
100+ Khavinson Publications
Telomerase Activation in Human Cells
Epitalon (CAS: 307297-39-8; also spelled “epithalon” in some publications; amino acid sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide representing the bioactive core sequence of epithalamin, a polypeptide fraction isolated from bovine pineal gland tissue. Updated April 2026. The compound was developed by Prof. Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, North-West Branch of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, as part of a long-term research program into pineal gland peptides as biological age regulators. Targeted amino acid analysis of epithalamin identified Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG) as the minimal active sequence, which was then synthesized as the tetrapeptide epitalon (Khavinson & Morozov, cited in Khavinson et al., Mech Ageing Dev, 2000 — PMID: 11087911).
The research context in which epitalon was developed is distinct from most compounds in the YPB catalog. Where most research peptides originated in Western academic institutions or compound company compound development programs, epitalon represents the output of Soviet and post-Soviet Russian gerontology research, published primarily in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and compound (a peer-reviewed journal indexed on PubMed) and in Khavinson’s monographs. The body of work is extensive — over 100 publications by Khavinson and Anisimov spanning two decades — though the geographic concentration of research in a single laboratory group is a methodological consideration researchers should account for when evaluating the evidence base.
Key Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | L-Alanyl-L-α-glutamyl-L-α-aspartyl-glycine (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) |
| Common Names | Epitalon, Epithalon, AEDG peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly tetrapeptide |
| CAS Number | 307297-39-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C14H22N4O9 |
| Molecular Weight | 390.35 Da (free acid form); 432.39 Da (N-acetyl form) |
| Amino Acids | 4 (tetrapeptide: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly; both free acid and N-acetylated forms are studied) |
| Half-Life | Not formally established in pharmacokinetic studies; as a small tetrapeptide it is susceptible to peptidase degradation without protective modifications |
| Source | Synthetic analog of epithalamin (bovine pineal gland polypeptide fraction) |
| Alternative Names | Epithalon; AEDG; Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly; pineal tetrapeptide; epigenetic regulator tetrapeptide |
| FDA Status | Not approved; not an investigational new compound (IND). Research Use Only (RUO). |
| WADA Status | Not explicitly listed in S2 category as of 2025; check current WADA Prohibited List for peptide hormone classifications |
| Storage | Lyophilized: −20°C. Reconstituted: 2–8°C, use within 14 days |
| Developer / Origin | Prof. Vladimir Khavinson, St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Russia (1990s–present) |
How Does Epitalon Work? Primary Mechanisms of Action
Epitalon’s mechanism of action is studied primarily at the level of gene expression, specifically telomerase regulation and epigenetic modulation of cellular senescence pathways. As a tetrapeptide of 390 Da, it is small enough to interact directly with DNA and chromatin, and published research has proposed both receptor-mediated and direct DNA-interaction mechanisms.
Telomerase Activation and Telomere Length Research
The foundational published mechanism for epitalon is activation of telomerase in human somatic cells — cells that normally do not express telomerase and therefore undergo progressive telomere shortening with each cell division. Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated in human fetal fibroblast cell cultures that epitalon peptide addition induced expression of hTERT (the catalytic subunit of telomerase), activated telomerase enzymatic activity, and produced telomere elongation beyond baseline length. The authors characterized this as reactivation of a silenced telomerase gene in somatic cells, noting implications for cell population lifespan (Khavinson, Bondarev & Butyugov, Bull Exp Biol Med, 2003 — PMID: 12768020).
A 2025 peer-reviewed study by Al-Dulaimi et al. in Biogerontology extended this finding, demonstrating that epitalon increases telomere lengths in both cancer cell lines (21NT and BT474) and normal human cells (IBR.3 fibroblasts and HMEC), with normal cells requiring a longer 3-week incubation period compared to cancer cells (4 days). The study also identified alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) as a potential additional mechanism alongside telomerase upregulation, providing the most rigorous independent confirmation of the 2003 finding to date (Al-Dulaimi et al., Biogerontology, 2025 — PMID: 40908429).
PCNA Expression and Proliferative Capacity
Published data demonstrates epitalon modulates expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) — a key marker of cell cycle progression and DNA replication activity. In retinal pigment epithelial cell cultures and fibroblast models, epitalon stimulated proliferative capacity as measured by PCNA expression, suggesting activity at the level of cell cycle regulation beyond the telomerase mechanism. This PCNA modulation has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to the observed increases in cellular lifespan in culture models.
Epigenetic Regulation and DNA Interaction
Khavinson et al. (2008) published evidence that the AEDG tetrapeptide directly interacts with double-stranded DNA through melting curve analysis, suggesting a DNA-binding mechanism that could modulate chromatin accessibility and gene expression at multiple loci simultaneously. This direct DNA interaction model has been proposed as the mechanistic basis for epitalon’s broad transcriptional effects observed in microarray studies, where epitalon administration altered the expression of hundreds of genes in cardiac tissue models.
What Systems Has Epitalon Been Investigated For?
Epitalon’s published research applications span cellular longevity models, neuroendocrine regulation, carcinogenesis research, and circadian biology — reflecting the breadth of the Khavinson and Anisimov research program at the St. Petersburg Institute.
Lifespan Research in Preclinical Models
Among the most widely cited epitalon data are lifespan extension studies in multiple model organisms. Khavinson et al. (2000) published data in Mechanisms of Ageing and Development demonstrating that epitalon added to the culture medium of Drosophila melanogaster (wild strain Canton-S) at the developmental stage significantly increased imagoe lifespan by 11–16% at concentrations ranging from 0.001×10&sup6; to 5×10&sup6; wt.% of culture medium (Khavinson et al., Mech Ageing Dev, 2000 — PMID: 11087911). Rodent lifespan data across multiple mouse strains (SHR, CBA, SAM) and rats published by Anisimov and Khavinson consistently reported mean lifespan increases of 20–40% with long-term epitalon treatment, alongside reductions in spontaneous tumor incidence in several models.
Neuroendocrine and Melatonin Research
Epitalon has been studied in the context of pineal gland function and melatonin secretion. As a synthetic analog of the pineal peptide epithalamin, epitalon has been investigated for its capacity to normalize age-related changes in circadian melatonin production. Published human study data from Korkushko et al. documented that epithalamin (the parent polypeptide) normalized the circadian melatonin-producing function of the pineal gland in elderly subjects, with epitalon as the synthetic derivative investigated in parallel research contexts.
Carcinogenesis Research Models
Multiple published studies by Anisimov, Khavinson and colleagues examined epitalon’s effects on spontaneous and induced tumorigenesis in rodent models. Anisimov et al. (2002) reported in International Journal of Cancer that epitalon treatment produced a 3.7-fold reduction in HER-2/neu mRNA expression in mammary tumors from HER-2/neu transgenic mice compared to controls, and reduced spontaneous mammary tumor incidence — a finding the authors attributed at least partly to HER-2/neu gene downregulation. Published data in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) documented reduced chromosome aberration incidence with epitalon treatment.
What Does the Human Research Data Show So Far?
Published human data for epitalon is more limited than for several other YPB catalog compounds. The available human studies involve either the parent polypeptide epithalamin (not synthetic epitalon) or in vitro work with human cell cultures. No large-scale randomized controlled trial of synthetic epitalon in human subjects has been published.
Human Safety Summary
| Study Type | Route | N | Subject | Adverse Events | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In vitro: Telomerase activation — Khavinson et al. | Cell culture (in vitro) | N/A (cell culture) | Human fetal fibroblasts (telomerase-negative) | In vitro study; adverse event framework not applicable. Telomerase activation and telomere elongation observed. | 2003 |
| In vitro: Telomere length in human cell lines — Al-Dulaimi et al. | Cell culture (in vitro) | N/A (cell culture) | Normal human cells (IBR.3, HMEC) and cancer lines (21NT, BT474) | In vitro study. Telomere length increases documented in all cell lines tested. | 2025 |
| Human melatonin circadian study (epithalamin, parent polypeptide) — Korkushko et al. | Not specified (likely SC or IM) | Small cohort (elderly subjects) | Elderly humans (circadian melatonin) | No serious adverse events reported for epithalamin in the published data. Note: this study uses epithalamin (parent polypeptide), not synthetic epitalon. | Published as part of Khavinson research program |
| Synthetic epitalon in human subjects — randomized controlled trial | N/A | No published RCT as of April 2026 | N/A | No large-scale human safety or efficacy data for synthetic epitalon published on PubMed or ClinicalTrials.gov as of April 2026. | N/A |
As of April 2026, no randomized controlled trial of synthetic epitalon in human subjects has been published. Human-level data is limited to in vitro work with human cell cultures and to human studies of the parent polypeptide epithalamin (not the synthetic tetrapeptide). Researchers should treat preclinical and in vitro data as preliminary until human pharmacokinetic and safety studies are published. All YPB epitalon products are Research Use Only and are not intended for human potential wellness benefit.
How Does Epitalon Compare to Other Longevity Research Peptides?
The longevity research category encompasses compounds targeting distinct cellular aging mechanisms. Epitalon’s telomerase-activation mechanism is unique in the YPB catalog and provides a different mechanistic entry point than NAD+/sirtuin pathways or mitochondrial peptides.
| Parameter | Epitalon | NAD+ (Precursor) | MOTS-c | GHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Synthetic analog of pineal gland peptide; Khavinson, St. Petersburg, Russia | Endogenous coenzyme; precursor supplementation | Mitochondrial-derived peptide; Kim et al., USC, 2015 | Endogenous plasma tripeptide-copper; Pickart, 1973 |
| Molecular Size | 4 AA, 390.35 Da (tetrapeptide) | Small molecule (663.4 Da as NAD+) | 16 AA, ~2,174 Da | 3 AA + Cu(II), 403.93 Da |
| Primary Mechanism | Telomerase activation (hTERT induction) + PCNA modulation + DNA epigenetic interaction | NAD+ repletion → sirtuin/PARP activation | AMPK activation → mitochondrial biogenesis + metabolic regulation | Gene expression reprogramming (4,000+ genes); copper metalloenzyme activation |
| Primary Research Focus | Telomere length research, cellular lifespan models, neuroendocrine regulation | Mitochondrial function, sirtuin biology, NAD+ decline research | Metabolic homeostasis, AMPK biology, exercise physiology models | Collagen synthesis, wound healing, neuroprotection |
| Evidence Concentration | Primarily single research group (Khavinson/Anisimov); 100+ publications; 2025 independent replication | Broad multi-institution evidence; 1,000+ publications | Growing multi-institution evidence; 100+ publications | Broad evidence; 300+ publications |
| Human RCT Data | None published for synthetic epitalon (in vitro human cell data available) | Phase 2 data in humans (NMN/NR precursors) | Phase 1/2 data published (Kim et al. 2022) | Phase 2 and Phase 3 ophthalmic (RGN-259) |
| Research-Grade Available? | Yes — RUO | Yes — RUO | Yes — RUO | Yes — RUO |
Researchers building comprehensive longevity research protocols use epitalon alongside NAD+ and GHK-Cu to address telomere biology, metabolic aging, and gene expression reprogramming through three non-overlapping mechanisms. The BPC-157 Research Guide covers tissue repair biology that complements longevity research in aging-model protocols.
What Should Researchers Know About Epitalon Stability and Handling?
Epitalon at 390.35 Da is one of the smallest peptides in the YPB catalog — smaller than GHK-Cu (403.93 Da) and significantly smaller than the GH-axis or healing compounds. Its small size has important implications for stability and quality verification.
Storage and Reconstitution Protocol
Lyophilized epitalon is stable at −20°C for up to 24 months when protected from moisture, light, and elevated temperatures. As an unmodified tetrapeptide without disulfide bridges or cyclization, epitalon is susceptible to peptidase degradation under physiological conditions — which is consistent with the absence of formal pharmacokinetic half-life data in published literature and suggests rapid in vivo clearance. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, solutions should be held at 2–8°C and used within 14 days. The small molecular size makes epitalon highly water soluble, simplifying reconstitution.
COA Verification
At 390.35 Da (free acid form), epitalon is well within the range for straightforward HPLC and mass spectrometry verification. MS should confirm the correct molecular weight corresponding to the Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly sequence in the correct form (free acid vs. N-acetylated). Researchers should specify which form is required for their protocol, as the N-acetylated form (432.39 Da) shows different HPLC retention and some published studies distinguish between the two. HPLC purity (≥98%) and chiral amino acid confirmation (L-configuration at all residues) are the primary quality parameters. All YPB epitalon batches include lot-traceable COA documentation accessible through the COA Library.
Key Research Findings: Epitalon in 2026
Key Research Findings
- Telomerase activation in human somatic cells in vitro: Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated hTERT induction, telomerase enzyme activity, and telomere elongation in telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblasts (PMID: 12768020).
- 2025 independent replication: Al-Dulaimi et al. (Biogerontology) confirmed telomere length increases in normal and cancer human cell lines via telomerase upregulation and/or ALT mechanism — the most rigorous independent validation to date (PMID: 40908429).
- Drosophila lifespan extension 11–16%: Khavinson et al. (2000) documented significant lifespan increase at very low concentrations in wild-strain Canton-S Drosophila (PMID: 11087911).
- Rodent lifespan and tumor data published: Anisimov and Khavinson published mean lifespan increases of 20–40% and reduced spontaneous tumor incidence across multiple mouse models; all data from single research group — independent replication not yet published for rodent models.
- No published RCT in human subjects for synthetic epitalon: Human cell culture data is available; large-scale human pharmacokinetic or safety trial data has not been published as of April 2026.
- DNA interaction mechanism proposed: Direct DNA-binding evidence published (Khavinson et al. 2008), suggesting epigenetic gene regulation as a mechanism complementary to telomerase activation.
- PCNA modulation documented: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression stimulation in retinal and fibroblast cultures observed, consistent with cell cycle re-engagement downstream of telomerase reactivation.
- Evidence concentration is a methodological consideration: The majority of preclinical and in vitro data originates from or closely affiliated with the Khavinson/Anisimov laboratory; the 2025 Al-Dulaimi et al. paper is an important step toward independent multi-site replication.
Browse the Full Research Catalog
Why Is Epitalon a High-Demand Research Compound?
Epitalon generates 18,000 monthly US searches in the longevity research category, driven by growing consumer and practitioner interest in telomere biology, the well-narrated origin story connecting it to the Russian gerontology research tradition, and the 2025 independent replication paper that elevated its scientific credibility beyond a single-laboratory finding.
Search Volume and Consumer Interest
Epitalon occupies a distinct narrative position in the longevity research space: the only research peptide with published telomerase activation data in human cells. This mechanistic story — reactivating a gene that is silenced in normal aging — is unusually compelling and generates high purchase intent among researchers and practitioners investigating cellular longevity biology. The Khavinson research origin story (Soviet and post-Soviet research tradition, 100+ publications) adds contextual depth that distinguishes it from compounds with more conventional Western compound development histories.
2025 Independent Replication as Demand Catalyst
The 2025 Al-Dulaimi et al. publication in Biogerontology significantly elevated epitalon’s research credibility by providing the first fully independent, rigorous quantitative confirmation of telomere length increases in human cells. This publication generated substantial search activity and AI citation coverage in longevity research contexts, contributing to the compound’s sustained 18,000/month search volume.
Market Demand Indicators
| Demand Indicator | Epitalon Data Point |
|---|---|
| Monthly US searches | 18,000/mo |
| PubMed publications (total) | 100+ (epitalon / epithalon / AEDG peptide combined) |
| PubMed publications (2020+) | 10+ new publications including 2025 independent replication |
| Key 2025 publication | Al-Dulaimi et al. Biogerontology 2025 — independent telomere length confirmation (PMID: 40908429) |
| Human data | In vitro human cell data (telomerase activation, telomere elongation); no published RCT in human subjects |
| Keyword difficulty range | Low competition (KD <10) |
| Catalog positioning | Unique telomerase mechanism; no direct competitor in YPB longevity category; pairs with NAD+ and GHK-Cu for multi-mechanism longevity research protocols |
How Can Researchers Offer Epitalon Under Their Own Brand?
YourPeptideBrand.com provides white-label dropship for epitalon in 10mg and 50mg configurations. Its unique telomerase research narrative, 100+ publication evidence base, and 2025 independent replication make it the highest-conviction longevity category SKU in the YPB catalog from a research storytelling perspective.
What White-Labeling Means
White-label operators receive pre-built RUO-compliant product pages with molecular data tables, mechanism descriptions, and COA library links. Operators set their own retail pricing and keep the margin; YPB handles all fulfillment. Download the full product catalog for all 60+ SKU pricing tiers.
Epitalon Wholesale Pricing & Margin Analysis
| SKU | Compound | Premier ($497/mo) | Core ($297/mo) | Suggested MSRP | Premier Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YPB.253 (RUO) | Epitalon 10mg | $19.77 | $23.72 | $100.00 | $80.23 (80%) |
| YPB.254 (RUO) | Epitalon 50mg | $48.45 | $58.14 | $150.00 | $101.55 (68%) |
Use the YPB Profit Calculator to model projected monthly revenue at your target pricing and volume. Epitalon 10mg at Premier tier generates $80.23 gross margin per unit at $100 MSRP — an 80% margin rate, the highest margin percentage of any compound in the longevity category. The 50mg configuration at $101.55 per unit is the highest absolute margin in the epitalon line. 250+ white-label research brands are already live on the platform.
Who This Is For
Epitalon is best positioned for white-label brands targeting researchers and practitioners interested in cellular longevity biology, telomere science, and aging research models. Its unique telomerase narrative, combined with NAD+ and GHK-Cu as companion longevity SKUs, creates a complete multi-mechanism longevity research catalog that no single competing mechanism can replicate.
Methodology & Data Sources
Methodology & Data Sources
Scientific literature: PubMed, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov searched for “epitalon,” “epithalon,” “AEDG peptide,” “Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly,” and CAS 307297-39-8. Search conducted through April 2026.
Key sources: Khavinson et al. (2000) Mech Ageing Dev (PMID: 11087911); Khavinson, Bondarev & Butyugov (2003) Bull Exp Biol Med (PMID: 12768020); Anisimov et al. (2002) Int J Cancer; Anisimov et al. (2005) Vopr Onkol (PMID: 15909815); Al-Dulaimi et al. (2025) Biogerontology (PMID: 40908429). Khavinson (2008) DNA interaction data from Bull Exp Biol Med.
Evidence context: The majority of epitalon preclinical data was generated by the Khavinson and Anisimov research group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. The 2025 Al-Dulaimi et al. paper represents independent replication of the telomere length finding. No large-scale independent replication of rodent lifespan data has been published as of April 2026.
Search volume data: Google Ads keyword data via DataForSEO, April 2026. Monthly US searches for “epitalon,” “epithalon,” and close variants combined.
Pricing data: YPB Full Pricing Catalog, current as of April 2026. Premier ($497/mo) and Core ($297/mo) membership tiers. Margin calculated as MSRP minus Premier wholesale price.
Limitations: No published RCT of synthetic epitalon in human subjects. Most preclinical lifespan data from a single research group. In vitro findings may not translate directly to in vivo outcomes. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical or research protocol advice.
References
- Khavinson, V. K., Izmaylov, D. M., Obukhova, L. K., & Malinin, V. V. (2000). Effect of epitalon on the lifespan increase in Drosophila melanogaster. Mech Ageing Dev, 120(1–3), 141–149. PMID: 11087911
- Khavinson, V. Kh., Bondarev, I. E., & Butyugov, A. A. (2003). Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med, 135(6), 590–592. PMID: 12768020
- Anisimov, V. N., Khavinson, V. Kh., Provinciali, M., Alimova, I. N., Baturin, D. A., Popovich, I. G., Zabezhinski, M. A., Imyanitov, E. N., Mancini, R., & Franceschi, C. (2002). Inhibitory effect of the peptide epitalon on the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in HER-2/neu transgenic mice. Int J Cancer, 101(1), 7–10. PMID: 12360010
- Anisimov, V. N., Khavinson, V. Kh., Popovich, I. G., Zabezhinski, M. A., Rosenfeld, S. V., Semenchenko, A. V., & Yashin, A. I. (2003). Effect of epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice. Biogerontology, 4(4), 193–202.
- Anisimov, V. N., Popovich, I. G., Zabezhinski, M. A., Rosenfeld, S. V., Khavinson, V. Kh., Semenchenko, A. V., & Yashin, A. I. (2005). Effect of epitalon and melatonin on life span and spontaneous carcinogenesis in senescence accelerated mice (SAM). Vopr Onkol, 51(1), 93–98. PMID: 15909815
- Khavinson, V. K., Solovyov, A. Y., & Shataeva, L. K. (2008). Melting of DNA double strand after binding to geroprotective tetrapeptide. Bull Exp Biol Med, 146(3), 394–397.
- Kossoy, G., et al. (2025). Overview of epitalon — Highly bioactive pineal tetrapeptide with promising properties. Int J Mol Sci, 26(6), 2691. PMID: 40141334
- Al-Dulaimi, S., Thomas, R., Matta, S., & Roberts, T. (2025). Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity. Biogerontology, 26. PMID: 40908429
- Anisimov, V. N., & Khavinson, V. K. (2010). Peptide bioregulation of aging: results and prospects. Biogerontology, 11(2), 139–149. PMID: 19862638
Frequently Asked Questions
Epitalon (CAS: 307297-39-8; Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly; MW: 390.35 Da) is a synthetic tetrapeptide representing the active sequence of epithalamin, a polypeptide fraction isolated from the bovine pineal gland, developed by Prof. Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. In research models, the primary published finding is induction of hTERT expression and telomerase enzyme activity in telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast cultures, resulting in telomere elongation (Khavinson, Bondarev & Butyugov, Bull Exp Biol Med, 2003 — PMID: 12768020). Secondary published mechanisms include PCNA expression modulation and direct DNA interaction. Epitalon is not research-grade and is classified for Research Use Only (RUO). Updated April 2026.
PubMed indexes 100+ publications for epitalon, epithalon, and the AEDG tetrapeptide as of April 2026. The majority originate from or are affiliated with the Khavinson and Anisimov research group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, spanning in vitro telomere studies, Drosophila lifespan models (PMID: 11087911), multiple rodent lifespan and carcinogenesis studies, and gene expression microarray analyses. The 2025 paper by Al-Dulaimi et al. in Biogerontology (PMID: 40908429) represents the most significant independent replication of the telomere length finding, confirming the effect in multiple normal and cancer human cell lines.
Epithalamin is a polypeptide fraction isolated directly from bovine pineal gland tissue — a heterogeneous mixture of peptides rather than a defined single compound. Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is the synthetic tetrapeptide representing the minimal active sequence identified from epithalamin through targeted amino acid analysis. Published research on epithalamin predates epitalon and includes some human clinical data (circadian melatonin normalization in elderly subjects), but epithalamin cannot be precisely characterized or standardized for research use. Synthetic epitalon provides a defined, reproducible, single-compound research tool, but human data published for epithalamin (the parent polypeptide) cannot be directly attributed to synthetic epitalon without independent human pharmacokinetic studies.
As an unmodified linear tetrapeptide without disulfide bridges or cyclization, epitalon is susceptible to peptidase degradation under physiological conditions — consistent with the absence of formal pharmacokinetic half-life data in the published literature. Lyophilized epitalon stored at −20°C is stable for up to 24 months. Reconstituted solution should be held at 2–8°C and used within 14 days. COA verification should include HPLC purity (≥98%) and MS confirmation of the free acid form (390.35 Da) or N-acetylated form (432.39 Da) as specified by the research protocol — researchers should specify which form is needed, as some published studies use the N-acetylated preparation. L-amino acid configuration at all four residues is an additional quality parameter.
As of April 2026, no randomized controlled trial of synthetic epitalon in human subjects has been published on PubMed or ClinicalTrials.gov. Human-level data is limited to in vitro studies using human cell cultures: Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated telomerase activation in human fetal fibroblasts (PMID: 12768020), and Al-Dulaimi et al. (2025) confirmed telomere length increases in normal and cancer human cell lines (PMID: 40908429). Human data published for the parent polypeptide epithalamin (circadian melatonin normalization in elderly subjects) cannot be directly attributed to synthetic epitalon. Researchers should account for the absence of human pharmacokinetic and safety data when designing protocols. All YPB epitalon is Research Use Only.
Yes. YourPeptideBrand.com provides white-label dropship for epitalon in 10mg ($19.77 Premier wholesale, $100 MSRP, $80.23 margin) and 50mg ($48.45 Premier wholesale, $150 MSRP, $101.55 margin) configurations. White-label storefronts include pre-built RUO-compliant product pages with molecular data tables, telomere research context, and COA library links. Operators set retail pricing and keep the margin. Storefronts launch within 30 days with no inventory requirements. Use the profit calculator to model projected revenue at your pricing scenario.
Every epitalon batch includes a lot-specific COA from an independent third-party laboratory covering: qualitative ID (HPLC + MS confirmation of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly sequence at 390.35 Da or N-acetylated form at 432.39 Da as applicable), HPLC purity (≥98%), L-amino acid configuration confirmation, endotoxin (<1 EU/mg), TAMC, and TYMC. Documentation is accessible through the batch-specific COA library per order. Lot traceability supports research reproducibility across extended study protocols.
Premier tier members ($497/mo) access epitalon 10mg at $19.77 wholesale, generating $80.23 gross margin per unit at suggested $100 MSRP — an 80% margin rate, the highest margin percentage of any compound in the longevity category on the YPB platform. The 50mg configuration generates $101.55 per unit ($48.45 wholesale, $150 MSRP). White-label brands pairing epitalon ($80.23) with NAD+ ($156.05 at 500mg) and GHK-Cu 100mg ($92.96) create a three-SKU longevity research catalog generating $329.24 combined margin from a single buyer transaction, addressing telomere biology, NAD+ metabolism, and gene expression reprogramming through three mechanistically independent pathways. Core tier ($297/mo) epitalon pricing is $23.72.
Key Takeaways
Research Takeaways
- Telomerase activation in telomerase-negative human somatic cells is the foundational published finding — Khavinson et al. (2003) documented hTERT induction, telomerase activity, and telomere elongation in fetal fibroblast culture (PMID: 12768020).
- 2025 independent replication in human cell lines: Al-Dulaimi et al. confirmed telomere length increases in normal and cancer human cells via telomerase or ALT mechanisms (PMID: 40908429) — the most rigorous validation to date.
- Drosophila lifespan data published (2000): 11–16% lifespan extension in wild-strain Canton-S at very low concentrations (PMID: 11087911).
- Evidence concentration is a methodological consideration: The majority of preclinical data originates from the Khavinson/Anisimov group; independent multi-site rodent lifespan replication has not been published.
- No published RCT in human subjects for synthetic epitalon: In vitro human cell data is the primary human-level evidence; no pharmacokinetic or safety trial data is available.
- Direct DNA interaction mechanism proposed: Khavinson et al. (2008) published evidence for AEDG binding to double-stranded DNA, suggesting epigenetic modulation as a complementary mechanism to telomerase activation.
- As a linear unmodified tetrapeptide: Epitalon lacks structural modifications that confer peptidase resistance; in vivo half-life is expected to be short, consistent with the absence of formal pharmacokinetic data.
Business Takeaways
- 80% gross margin at Premier tier — the highest margin percentage in the longevity category; $80.23 per unit on 10mg at $100 MSRP.
- 18,000 monthly searches at very low KD — telomere narrative drives above-average purchase intent; 2025 replication paper elevated search activity.
- Unique telomerase mechanism differentiates brands from NAD+ and GHK-Cu competitors; together the three compounds address three non-overlapping longevity mechanisms.
- Three-SKU longevity catalog (epitalon + NAD+ + GHK-Cu) generates $329+ combined margin per multi-compound order from a single longevity-focused buyer.
Ready to add epitalon to your research peptide catalog? Book a consultation with the YPB team to discuss longevity category positioning and the full 60+ SKU platform.
[ypb_studies peptide=”epitalon”]