Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide — three amino acids, Glu-Asp-Arg, commonly written as EDR after the single-letter codes for glutamate, aspartate and arginine. Molecular formula C15H26N6O8, molecular weight 418.40 g/mol.
Despite the name, it was not isolated from the pineal gland. The sequence was identified in brain cortex peptide extracts, and the naming reflects the research programme it came from rather than its origin tissue.
Research context
Pinealon comes out of the Russian short peptide bioregulator programme developed by Vladimir Khavinson at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology — the same lineage as Epithalon, and adjacent to Selank and Semax from the parallel Institute of Molecular Genetics work.
The published literature examines Pinealon in neuroprotective contexts: restriction of reactive oxygen species accumulation in cerebellar granule cells and PC12 preparations, delayed ERK 1/2 activation, and modulation of the cell cycle. One reported observation is that ROS restriction saturates at lower concentrations while cell cycle effects continue at higher ones — which has been taken to suggest activity beyond simple antioxidant behaviour.
The same caveat applies here as to the rest of this class. Much of the primary work is Russian-language, coverage in English-language indexes is patchy, and independent replication outside the originating institution is limited. Researchers should weigh the strength of the evidence base rather than the volume of citations, which can accumulate through repetition of a small number of sources.
At three residues and 418 g/mol this is among the smallest peptides in this catalogue, which constrains the kinds of receptor interaction it can plausibly support — a relevant consideration when evaluating proposed mechanisms.
Specification
CAS number 175175-23-2. Supplied as a lyophilized powder at 20mg, soluble in water or bacteriostatic water.
Batch 0409 was analysed by Chromate on 4 June 2026 using HILIC-HPLC with UV detection, across two independent samples: 99.200% and 99.172% purity, at 19.64mg and 19.89mg respectively. Report #38169.
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 and moisture; 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 Pinealon
What does EDR stand for?
The single-letter amino acid codes for the sequence: E for glutamate, D for aspartate, R for arginine. Short peptide bioregulators from this research programme are routinely referred to by these letter codes in the literature, so searching on EDR will surface papers that do not use the name Pinealon at all.
Is Pinealon related to Epithalon?
Same research programme, different sequence and different endpoints. Epithalon is the AEDG tetrapeptide, studied largely around telomerase activity. Pinealon is the EDR tripeptide, studied in neuroprotective and oxidative stress contexts. Both come from Khavinson’s bioregulator work and both carry the same evidence-base caveat.
Why does the CoA show two purity figures?
Batch 0409 was assayed across two independent samples rather than one — 99.200% and 99.172%. Reporting both is more informative than reporting a single number or an average, because the spread between them indicates batch consistency. A tight spread, as here, suggests the material is homogeneous rather than variable across the lot.
How is Pinealon stored and handled?
Bacteriostatic or sterile water for reconstitution; it is water-soluble and needs no acidic diluent. Introduce diluent against the vial wall and swirl rather than shaking. Store lyophilized at −20°C protected from light and moisture, and refrigerate at 2–8°C once reconstituted.
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.
