# Epithalon – 40mg/vial — Research Use Only

### Overview

Epithalon (also spelled Epitalon) is among the most extensively published synthetic tetrapeptides in longevity biology. Developed from decades of research by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology — primarily under the direction of Vladimir Khavinson — Epithalon has accumulated a substantial peer-reviewed literature spanning telomere biology, pineal gland neuroendocrinology, circadian regulation, and lifespan modeling in multiple species. It remains one of the most unique compounds in the longevity peptide research space.

### What It Is

Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (4 amino acids) with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly and a molecular weight of approximately 390 Da. It is the synthetic analogue of Epithalamin, a natural polypeptide extract derived from bovine pineal gland tissue, and is classified within the cytomedine class of short peptide bioregulators. Its remarkably small size and simple sequence distinguish it from most other research peptides, and have facilitated a large body of mechanistic research into its biological activity.

### Research Spotlight

Epithalon’s research history is among the longest of any synthetic research peptide, with published studies dating back to the 1980s. The telomere biology research associated with Epithalon is particularly notable: published in vitro studies have examined its capacity to activate telomerase enzyme activity in human somatic cell cultures, with investigators documenting telomere elongation and extended replicative lifespan in primary cell lines — a finding that has sustained significant research interest in longevity and cell aging circles.

Pineal gland and circadian research has examined Epithalon’s effects on melatonin secretion profiles in aged animal models, with published studies reporting normalization of circadian hormone patterns in aged rats and primates. Gene expression studies have also examined Epithalon’s effects on CLOCK gene proteins and circadian transcriptional regulators.

In vivo lifespan and tumor biology research conducted primarily in rodent and primate models has published findings on longevity parameters, immune function markers, and tumor incidence rates in aged animals following Epithalon administration. Antioxidant enzyme research has measured SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in tissue preparations.

### Key Research Applications

- Telomerase activation and telomere dynamics in somatic cell cultures
- Cellular aging, replicative senescence, and lifespan modeling
- Pineal gland function and melatonin secretion pattern research
- Circadian biology, CLOCK gene expression, and sleep regulatory studies
- Antioxidant enzyme (SOD, catalase, GPx) activity profiling in aged tissues
- Immune function marker studies in aged animal models
- Tumor incidence and oncostatic marker research in longevity models
- Comparative cytomedine research alongside other short peptide bioregulators
- Reproductive neuroendocrine axis investigation in aging models

### Purity & Quality

Portal to Wellness Epithalon is produced to ≥98% purity (supplier specification). The 40mg vial provides substantial quantity for multi-experiment research programs — essential for longitudinal aging studies where consistent administration quantities over extended periods are required.

### Competitor Research Notes

Given Epithalon’s small size (4 amino acids, MW ~390 Da), it is generally less susceptible to synthesis errors than larger peptides — but purity and sequence verification remain important. Researchers should verify HPLC purity documentation and confirm absence of synthesis byproducts. Portal to Wellness’s 40mg vial size is among the more generous available, supporting extended research timelines without mid-study reordering. Compare this against competitors offering 10mg or 20mg vials at similar price points.

### Technical Specifications

| Amino Acids | 4 (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) |
| --- | --- |
| Molecular Weight | ~390 Da |
| CAS Number | 307297-39-8 |
| Classification | Cytomedine peptide bioregulator |
| Purity | ≥98% (supplier specification) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Vial Size | 40mg |
| Storage | −4 °F long-term |

**FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY.** Not intended for human or veterinary consumption, medical diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease or condition. This product has not been evaluated by the FDA or any regulatory agency. Must be handled by qualified research personnel in a compliant laboratory setting. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Not sure which compounds fit your research? [Browse the Research Hub →](https://portaltowellness.net/research/)

### Related research (educational)

- [DSIP & Epithalon: What the Research Says About Sleep and Circadian Peptides](https://portaltowellness.net/research/dsip-epithalon-what-the-research-says-about-sleep-and-circadian-peptides/)
- [Overlapping Pathways in Circadian, Repair and Mitochondrial Biology](https://portaltowellness.net/research/sleep-repair-energy-one-system/)

## Frequently Asked Questions — Epithalon

### What is Epithalon and what makes it a longevity-focused peptide?

Epithalon (also spelled Epitalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) derived from Epithalamin, a polypeptide extract of the bovine pineal gland. Its research interest centers on two primary mechanisms: (1) activation of telomerase, the enzyme responsible for elongating telomeres, and (2) regulation of pineal gland melatonin output. Research by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues over several decades has examined it in cell, animal and small human studies.

### How does Epithalon activate telomerase and what does that mean for cellular aging?

Telomeres shorten with each cell division; critically short telomeres trigger cellular senescence. Telomerase extends telomere length, theoretically delaying this process. Published research on Epithalon (Khavinson et al., 2003, Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine) reports telomerase activation in human fetal fibroblast cultures. Epithalon appears to activate telomerase selectively — primarily in somatic cells with shortened telomeres, not in ways associated with uncontrolled cell proliferation.

### What has published longevity research examined for Epithalon?

Published work by Khavinson and colleagues examined Epithalon in longevity cohorts and in telomerase-related in-vitro models. Portal to Wellness does not publish amounts, schedules or administration routes for any compound. PTW Epithalon is supplied for research purposes only and is not for human use.

### Is Epithalon safe? What does the human research show?

Most published human data come from Khavinson’s group in Russia, largely using the related pineal extract Epithalamin, and they have not been independently replicated. Safety in humans has not been established. All PTW product is supplied for research use only and is not intended for human use.

### What does telomere elongation mean and why do researchers study it?

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences (TTAGGG repeats in humans) that cap the ends of chromosomes and protect them from degradation. They shorten by 50–200 base pairs per cell division; shorter average telomere length correlates with biological aging. Telomerase (the enzyme Epithalon activates) can add back TTAGGG repeats, which is why telomerase is studied in replicative ageing research.

Regulatory Status Note

On July 23–24, 2026, FDA’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee reviewed whether BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c, Semax, Epitalon, and emideltide (DSIP) should be added to the 503A Bulks List for pharmacy compounding. The committee voted to recommend six of the seven; emideltide (DSIP) was **not** recommended. FDA’s own briefing documents had recommended against all seven.

A committee vote is a recommendation only. It does not constitute FDA approval, does not establish safety or effectiveness, and does not change the status of this product, which is sold strictly for research use. FDA must complete formal rulemaking before any substance is added to the list. [Source: FDA Advisory Committee Calendar](https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/advisory-committee-calendar/july-23-24-2026-meeting-pharmacy-compounding-advisory-committee-07232026) . Last reviewed: August 17, 2026.

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Source: https://portaltowellness.net/shop/epithalon/
Research use only. Terms: https://portaltowellness.net/research-use-only/