Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide — four amino acids, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). Molecular formula C14H22N4O9, molecular weight 390.35 g/mol.
At under 400 g/mol it is among the smallest peptides in this catalogue, roughly a tenth the mass of the incretin analogues. That size is itself a research consideration: a four-residue sequence has limited conformational complexity, which simplifies synthesis and stability but constrains the kinds of receptor interaction it can support.
Research context
Epithalon was developed at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a synthetic counterpart to epithalamin, a pineal gland extract. Like Selank and Semax, it comes out of the Russian peptide bioregulator research programme, and the same caveat applies: much of the primary literature is Russian-language and independent replication outside the originating institution is limited.
Published work centres on telomerase activity and telomere length in cultured cells, along with pineal function and circadian regulation. The telomerase strand is what has sustained interest — reports of telomerase induction in somatic cells would be significant if robustly replicated, and researchers evaluating this literature should weigh the strength of the evidence base rather than the volume of citations.
For a fuller treatment of the sequence, published models and technical data, see the Epithalon research guide.
Specification
CAS number 307297-39-8. Supplied as a white lyophilized powder, soluble in water. This batch assayed at 99.27% purity, verified by HPLC and LC-MS at ILS Lab. Available in 5mg and 10mg presentations.
Handling
Reconstitute with bacteriostatic or sterile water, introducing the diluent against the vial wall and swirling gently rather than shaking. Store lyophilized at −20°C protected from light; refrigerate at 2–8°C once reconstituted.
Ships with a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. Cross-check the batch ID printed on your vial against the CoA before use — see the guide to reading a CoA if you are unfamiliar with the format.
Frequently asked questions about Epithalon
What is the evidence for telomerase induction?
It is the strand that has sustained interest in the compound, and it should be read carefully. Reports of telomerase activity in somatic cells would be significant findings if robustly replicated — but much of the primary work comes from the originating institution, and independent replication outside that programme is limited. Weigh the strength of the evidence base rather than the volume of citations, which can accumulate through repetition of a small number of sources.
Is Epithalon related to Selank and Semax?
Not chemically, but they share an origin. All three come out of the Russian peptide bioregulator research programme — Epithalon from the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Selank and Semax from the Institute of Molecular Genetics. The same caveat applies to all three: substantial Russian-language literature with patchy English-language indexing and limited outside replication.
Does its small size matter?
Yes, in both directions. At four residues and under 400 g/mol, Epithalon is among the smallest peptides in this catalogue — roughly a tenth the mass of the incretin analogues. Small size simplifies synthesis and improves stability, but limits conformational complexity, which constrains the kinds of receptor interaction a molecule can support. That is a genuine consideration when evaluating proposed mechanisms.
How is Epithalon reconstituted and stored?
Bacteriostatic or sterile water; it is water-soluble and needs no acidic diluent. Introduce the diluent against the vial wall and swirl gently. Store lyophilized at −20°C protected from light; refrigerate at 2–8°C once reconstituted. As a short sequence with no disulfide bridges or oxidation-prone residues, it is among the more robust compounds here in storage.
Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use, not for use in diagnostic procedures, and not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
