# Pinealon

> Evidence tier B — Small human studies · Mind · reviewed 2026-11-08
> Source page: https://peptidemeta.com/p/pinealon/

Also known as: EDR peptide, Glu-Asp-Arg

## Quick answers

**What is Pinealon?**

A short regulatory tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed by Khavinson that targets CNS gene expression.

**How strong is the evidence for Pinealon?**

Tier B (small human studies) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Human data are limited to small uncontrolled Russian studies (e.g. 32 adults aged 41–83, Adv Gerontol 2015); the rest is in vitro and rodent work, largely from the developer’s group.

**Is Pinealon FDA-approved?**

No. Pinealon is not approved by the FDA for any use.

**Is Pinealon banned in sport?**

Yes. Pinealon is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S0 (non-approved substances).

**How does Pinealon work?**

Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) is a bioregulatory tripeptide that penetrates cell membranes and interacts with DNA to modulate gene expression in neural tissue. It is reported to upregulate antioxidant enzyme expression and neuroprotective pathways while supporting pineal gland melatonin synthesis.

**What is known about the safety of Pinealon?**

Limited safety data, mostly from developer-associated publications. No FDA-approved indication.

## Key facts

- **Evidence tier:** B (Small human studies)
- **FDA:** not approved
- **WADA:** prohibited (S0)
- **Peptide:** yes
- **Sequence:** EDR (3 residues)
- **Formula:** C15H26N6O8
- **Molecular weight:** 418.4 g/mol
- **Routes studied:** Oral, Intranasal, Subcutaneous

## Overview

A short regulatory tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed by Khavinson that targets CNS gene expression. It may support neuroprotective pathways and cognitive preservation during aging.

## Mechanism

Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) is a bioregulatory tripeptide that penetrates cell membranes and interacts with DNA to modulate gene expression in neural tissue. It is reported to upregulate antioxidant enzyme expression and neuroprotective pathways while supporting pineal gland melatonin synthesis.

## Effects reported in research

_Reported outcomes, not promises; see the evidence tier._

- Neuroprotective gene expression modulation
- Improved cognitive performance in aging
- Antioxidant activity in brain tissue
- Supported pineal gland function

## Safety & unknowns

Limited safety data, mostly from developer-associated publications. No FDA-approved indication. Independent replication of claims is lacking.

## Studies

- Meshchaninov VN, Tkachenko EL, Zharkov SV, et al. (2015). *Effect of synthetic peptides on aging of patients with chronic polymorbidity and organic brain syndrome of the central nervous system in remission*. Advances in Gerontology (Uspekhi Gerontologii). Clinical trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26390612/
  Uncontrolled study in 32 adults aged 41-83 with polymorbidity and organic brain syndrome that assessed biological-age markers after courses of the tripeptides pinealon and vesugen.

## Status sources

- [PubChem CID 10273502 — Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/10273502)
- [Meshchaninov et al., Adv Gerontol 2015 (small human study)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26390612/)
- [Arutjunyan et al., Int J Clin Exp Med 2012 (rat study)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22567179/)
- [WADA Prohibited List 2026 (S0)](https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-code-and-international-standards/prohibited-list)

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Educational reference only — not medical advice. No dosing information is published. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness or safety.