Description
Epitalon (Epithalon) at a glance
Epitalon, also spelled Epithalon, is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, or AEDG) studied mainly for telomerase activity and aging biomarkers in cells and rodents. Most of its literature comes from one St. Petersburg research network, and controlled human trials are missing. Ellepeptides supplies Epitalon as freeze-dried research material in a 10 mg vial, listed in our anti-aging and longevity research collection.
- Molecule type: synthetic tetrapeptide (AEDG)
- Vial size: 10 mg
- Listed price: $60.00 USD
- Form: freeze-dried (lyophilized) powder
- Ships within the United States; free shipping when the merchandise subtotal is over $200
- For laboratory research only
Epitalon vial sizes and price per mg
| Vial size | Listed price (USD) | Price per mg |
|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | $60.00 | $6.00 |
Prices are listed in USD at the time of writing; the size selector above shows the current price. Bulk or combination savings through the cart or coupons are not promised.
Epitalon compound profile
| Research names | Epitalon, Epithalon |
|---|---|
| Reference sequence | H-Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly-OH (AEDG) |
| Compound class | Synthetic tetrapeptide |
| Reference molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 |
| Reference molar mass | 390.35 g/mol |
| CAS number | 307297-39-8 |
| PubChem record | CID 219042 |
The rows describe the reference AEDG structure in PubChem, not the analytical make-up of any lot. Counterions, water content and terminal groups can vary between materials, so check the vial label and any documentation supplied.
How Epitalon works in research
The central hypothesis is that Epitalon switches on telomerase, the enzyme that rebuilds the protective caps on chromosome ends. In a 2003 experiment on cultured human fetal fibroblasts, Epithalon induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation. Khavinson et al. (2003)
A 2025 cell study by authors outside the original group tested the idea again. In normal epithelial cells and fibroblasts, telomeres lengthened alongside higher hTERT expression and telomerase activity. In two breast cancer cell lines, telomeres also lengthened, but through ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres), a telomerase-independent route. The journal later corrected Figures 1–3 because the wrong images had been printed. Al-dulaimi et al. (2025); correction
A third line of work looks at gene expression: in HER-2/neu transgenic mice, mammary tumors from treated animals showed 3.7-fold lower HER-2/neu mRNA than controls. Anisimov et al. (2002) None of this establishes a complete mechanism, and none of it measures an effect in people.
Key Epitalon studies
| Year | Study & model | What was measured | Main finding | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Female HER-2/neu transgenic mice (breast-tumor model) | Mammary tumor number and size, metastases, HER-2/neu mRNA | Fewer cumulative tumors, smaller maximum size; metastasis number not reduced | Anisimov et al. |
| 2003 | Cultured human fetal fibroblasts | Telomerase activity, telomere length | Telomerase induced; telomeres elongated | Khavinson et al. |
| 2003 | Female SHR mice | Aging biomarkers, lifespan, spontaneous tumors | Mean lifespan unchanged; some later-survival measures differed | Anisimov et al. |
| 2003 | 266 older adults over 6–8 years; Epithalamin (a pineal extract) and Thymalin, not Epitalon | Mortality and disease incidence vs controls | Lower mortality reported; randomization not described | Khavinson and Morozov |
| 2025 | Normal human epithelial cells, fibroblasts and two breast cancer cell lines | Telomere length, hTERT, telomerase, ALT | Telomeres lengthened: via telomerase in normal cells, via ALT in cancer cells | Al-dulaimi et al. |
Mice: mixed results. In female SHR mice, Epitalon did not change mean lifespan, although some later-survival measures differed; reporting only the favorable endpoint would mislead. Anisimov et al. (2003) In female HER-2/neu mice, treated animals had a lower cumulative tumor number and smaller maximum tumor size, with smaller lung metastases but no fewer of them. Anisimov et al. (2002)
The human data concern a different preparation. The often-quoted 266-person, 6–8-year follow-up used Epithalamin, a pineal-gland extract, together with Thymalin; the abstract does not describe randomization. It cannot be reassigned to the synthetic tetrapeptide. Khavinson and Morozov (2003)
One group, mostly. Apart from the 2025 cell study, every source in this table comes from the same St. Petersburg research network, centered on the Khavinson and Anisimov groups, and its collaborators. Independent replication in animals and controlled human trials of Epitalon itself are still absent. Our research page explains how we weigh evidence like this.
Epitalon research involving women
No controlled trial of Epitalon in women appears in the sources reviewed for this page. The female subjects in the key animal work were mice: SHR mice in the aging study and HER-2/neu transgenic mice, a breast-tumor model. The 2025 cell study used breast cancer cell lines alongside normal cells. These are laboratory models of female biology, not women.
One finding deserves attention from anyone studying breast tissue: in the 2025 work, telomeres in the breast cancer lines lengthened through ALT. That is a reason for careful study design, not a basis for any longevity, fertility or menopause claim. For other compounds with women-focused study notes, see our peptides for women hub.
Epitalon vs Thymalin, Pinealon and NAD+
| Compound | Type | Main research focus | Sizes on Ellepeptides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epitalon (this page) | Synthetic tetrapeptide (AEDG) | Telomerase and aging biomarkers in cells and mice | 10 mg |
| Thymalin | Thymic polypeptide preparation | Immune-cell markers; older clinical reports | 10 mg |
| Pinealon | Synthetic tripeptide (EDR) | Oxidative stress in nerve-cell models | 10 mg |
| NAD+ | Dinucleotide coenzyme, not a peptide | Redox reactions; sirtuin and PARP substrate | 500 mg, 1000 mg |
Epitalon, Thymalin and Pinealon come from the same “peptide bioregulator” research tradition, but they are different materials: a defined tetrapeptide, a multi-component preparation and a defined tripeptide. NAD+ belongs to separate metabolic research entirely. Results do not carry over between them.
Epitalon handling, storage and reconstitution math
Epitalon is supplied as a lyophilized solid. Treat the label as the authority on amount and storage conditions, keep the vial sealed until your protocol calls for it, and log the lot number with each run.
Concentration is vial mass divided by solvent volume: 10 mg in 2 mL gives 5 mg/mL. Because Epitalon is small (390.35 g/mol), molar figures are large: 10 mg is about 25.6 µmol, so the same 2 mL solution is roughly 12.8 mmol/L. The peptide calculator handles mass-based conversions, and bacteriostatic water is a common solvent when a vial is sampled repeatedly. Follow your method’s solvent choice.
Ordering Epitalon in the US
Epitalon orders ship to addresses within the United States. Shipping is free when your merchandise subtotal is over $200 after coupon discounts (before taxes and shipping); below that, standard shipping is $15.99 per order. The available payment methods and delivery options are shown at checkout, so check the shipping policy for current details.
Epitalon FAQ
What is Epitalon?
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), molar mass 390.35 g/mol. It is studied for telomerase activation and aging biomarkers in cell cultures and mice. Ellepeptides sells Epitalon as freeze-dried research material in a 10 mg vial, for laboratory research only.
Epitalon or Epithalon: which spelling is right?
Both. Epitalon and Epithalon are transliteration variants for the same AEDG tetrapeptide, and this single 10 mg listing covers both names. Epithalamin is different: it is a pineal-gland extract studied in older clinical reports, and its results should not be attributed to synthetic Epitalon.
How much does Epitalon cost in the US?
At the time of writing, Ellepeptides lists Epitalon at $60.00 USD for a 10 mg vial, or $6.00 per mg. The product page shows the current price. Shipping is free when the merchandise subtotal is over $200 after coupons; otherwise standard shipping is $15.99.
Where can I buy Epitalon in the US?
Ellepeptides lists Epitalon (Epithalon) research vials and ships them to US addresses, with prices in USD and payment methods shown at checkout. It is sold for laboratory research only. The shipping policy sets out current rates and the free-shipping threshold.
Does Epitalon lengthen telomeres?
In cell cultures, yes: a 2003 fibroblast study and a 2025 study in normal human cells reported telomere lengthening with increased telomerase activity. The 2025 study also saw telomeres lengthen in breast cancer cell lines, through ALT. No controlled human study has shown telomere lengthening.
What benefits of Epitalon have studies reported?
The reported effects come from animals and cells. In female HER-2/neu mice, treated animals developed fewer cumulative mammary tumors; in female SHR mice, mean lifespan did not change. Cell studies reported telomere lengthening. None of these findings has been confirmed in a controlled human trial.
What side effects of Epitalon have been reported?
No controlled human safety data for synthetic Epitalon appear in the sources on this page, so no side-effect profile can be given. The 2025 observation that telomeres lengthened in breast cancer cell lines is a research caution rather than a reported side effect, and it is one reason careful study design matters.
Epitalon vs Thymalin: what is the difference?
Epitalon is one defined tetrapeptide. Thymalin is described in the literature as a thymic polypeptide preparation without a single sequence. The 2003 follow-up of 266 older adults used Thymalin and Epithalamin, not Epitalon, so its results describe neither this vial nor the synthetic peptide.
Epitalon vs Pinealon: are they related?
They come from the same research group but are different molecules. Epitalon is the tetrapeptide AEDG; Pinealon is the tripeptide EDR (Glu-Asp-Arg), studied mainly in nerve-cell oxidative-stress models. Their identities, molar masses and research questions differ, so findings cannot be swapped.
Is Epitalon available as a nasal spray or capsules?
Ellepeptides sells Epitalon only as freeze-dried powder in a sealed vial. The studies cited on this page used cell cultures and animal models; none tested a nasal spray or capsule product. Findings from those experiments cannot be assumed to describe another form.
Epitalon references
- National Library of Medicine, PubChem. Epitalon (AEDG), CID 219042.
- Anisimov VN, et al. (2002). Epitalon and spontaneous mammary tumors in HER-2/neu transgenic mice. Int J Cancer. doi 10.1002/ijc.10570.
- Khavinson VKh, et al. (2003). Telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human fibroblasts. PubMed 12937682.
- Anisimov VN, et al. (2003). Aging biomarkers and lifespan in female SHR mice. PubMed 14501183.
- Khavinson VKh, Morozov VG (2003). Pineal and thymus peptides in older adults. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. Journal page.
- Al-dulaimi S, et al. (2025). Epitalon and telomere length in human cell lines. Biogerontology. Repository record.
- Biogerontology (2025). Correction to Al-dulaimi et al. Correction notice.
Related research materials: Anti-Aging & Longevity, Energy & Metabolic, Thymalin, Pinealon, NAD+ and MOTS-c. For laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use.
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