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No. 036 · Longevity & Immune · Longevity Peptide

Epithalon

EpitalonEpithaloneAEDG

B Tier B · Small human studies how tiers work →
  • Not FDA approved
  • WADA ✗ S0
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4 residues C14H22N4O9
O O O O H O H O O O H O N H N H N H N 2 H

2D structure from PubChem CID 219042 (Epitalon), matched by molecular formula. Hydrogens on carbon are implied.

Epithalon sequence fingerprint
  • Nonpolar 2
  • Negative charge 2

Each dot is a residue placed around the ring from N- to C-terminus; its distance from the centre reflects its chemistry.

01

Quick answers

What is Epithalon?
A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Khavinson, modeled on the pineal extract epithalamin.
How strong is the evidence for Epithalon?
Tier B (small human studies) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Human data are limited to small biomarker studies and an older controlled study in retinitis pigmentosa, almost all from one research group; no randomized trial exists. Most evidence is cell and animal work.
Is Epithalon FDA-approved?
No. Epithalon is not approved by the FDA for any use.
Is Epithalon banned in sport?
Yes. Epithalon is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S0 (non-approved substances).
How does Epithalon work?
In cultured human fibroblasts, Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) was reported to induce expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT), telomerase activity and telomere elongation. It is also proposed to stimulate pineal melatonin production and restore circadian neuroendocrine function.
What is known about the safety of Epithalon?
Human safety data are limited to small studies from the Khavinson group; no long-term controlled safety data exist. Theoretical concern that telomerase activation could promote cancer has not been ruled out.

Last reviewed · editorial policy · markdown

02

Evidence

  1. D In vitro
  2. C Animal
  3. B Human pilot
  4. A RCT
  5. S Approved

TIER B — Human data limited to small, open-label or pharmacokinetic studies.

Human data are limited to small biomarker studies and an older controlled study in retinitis pigmentosa, almost all from one research group; no randomized trial exists. Most evidence is cell and animal work.

Tiers rate the strength of published evidence — not effectiveness, safety, or a recommendation.

03

At a glance

Residues
4 amino acids, N→C
Molecular weight
390.4 Da
Formula
C14H22N4O9
Routes studied
Subcutaneous, Intramuscular Routes used in published research
FDA
Not approved
WADA
Prohibited · S0 Non-approved substances
04

Sequence

N → C · 4 residues · hover, tap, or use arrow keys to inspect

Note Synthetic tetrapeptide based on the amino-acid composition of epithalamin, a pineal gland extract.

05

Overview

A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Khavinson, modeled on the pineal extract epithalamin. In cultured human cells it has been reported to activate telomerase and lengthen telomeres; human evidence is limited to small studies.

Research status Telomerase findings come from cell culture; human data limited to small studies from one group (e.g. a 2002 controlled study in retinitis pigmentosa); no randomized trials

06

Mechanism

In cultured human fibroblasts, Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) was reported to induce expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT), telomerase activity and telomere elongation. It is also proposed to stimulate pineal melatonin production and restore circadian neuroendocrine function. Whether these effects occur in humans has not been established.

07

Effects reported in research

Reported outcomes, not promises. Human data are limited to small studies, and many of these findings are preclinical.

  • Telomerase activation and telomere elongation (cell culture)
  • Improved circadian melatonin secretion
  • Antioxidant protection at the cellular level
  • Enhanced immune surveillance markers
08

Safety & unknowns

Human safety data are limited to small studies from the Khavinson group; no long-term controlled safety data exist. Theoretical concern that telomerase activation could promote cancer has not been ruled out. Not FDA-approved. Little independent Western clinical data.

Unknowns. No randomized controlled trials have been published. Small studies cannot detect uncommon or long-term harms.

Informational only — not medical advice. peptidemeta publishes no dosing, protocols, or sourcing. Talk to a qualified clinician about any treatment decision.

09

Studies [4]

  1. Review 2026

    Epitalon and Epithalamin: A Narrative Review of Mechanistic, Preclinical, and Clinical Evidence

    Jain A, Gallacher DM, Issa MA, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences

    Concludes that human evidence for epitalon is limited to small physiological or biomarker studies and an older controlled study, with no adequately powered randomized trial.

    [pubmed] [doi]

  2. Preclinical 2004

    Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell

    Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA, et al. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine

    In cultured human fetal lung fibroblasts, Epithalon lengthened telomeres and the treated cells divided about 10 more times than controls.

    [pubmed] [doi]

  3. Preclinical 2003

    Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells

    Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine

    Adding Epithalon to telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast cultures induced telomerase catalytic-subunit expression, enzyme activity, and telomere elongation.

    [pubmed] [doi]

  4. Clinical trial 2002

    Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa

    Khavinson V, Razumovsky M, Trofimova S, et al. Neuro Endocrinology Letters

    Reported retinal functional improvements in rats with hereditary retinal degeneration and a positive clinical effect in most treated patients with retinitis pigmentosa in a small controlled study.

    [pubmed]

11

Status sources

Sources behind the tier, regulatory status, sequence and dates on this page.

12

Cite this entry

$ cite --format=apa

peptidemeta. (2026). Epithalon. In peptidemeta: The peptide library, ranked by evidence. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://peptidemeta.com/p/epithalon/

$ cite --format=bibtex 
@misc{peptidemeta-epithalon,
  title = {Epithalon},
  author = {{peptidemeta}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://peptidemeta.com/p/epithalon/}},
  note = {Accessed 2026-11-08}
}

Accessed date reflects when you opened this page. Cite primary studies for scientific claims.

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