Research Peptide · For laboratory research use only
Also known as Epitalon, Epithalone
Epithalon (also Epitalon or Epithalone) is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), designed on the basis of the amino acid composition of epithalamin, a polypeptide extract of bovine pineal gland5. Much of the early literature comes from the group of Khavinson and Anisimov1,2,3.
Studies have examined telomerase expression and telomere length in human cell cultures, proliferative lifespan of fetal fibroblasts, and lifespan and tumour incidence in mice1,2,3,4. A 2025 review noted that, despite the volume of biological work, physicochemical and structural studies of the peptide remain limited5.
As described in the research literature
As described in the research literature, addition of Epithalon to telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast cultures was reported to induce expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit, telomerase enzymatic activity and telomere elongation1. A follow-up study reported telomere elongation in late-passage fetal lung fibroblasts and continued division beyond the passage at which control cells stopped2.
Independent work published in 2025 examined normal epithelial and fibroblast cells and the breast cancer lines 21NT and BT474. In normal cells, telomere length increased with hTERT mRNA and telomerase upregulation; in the cancer lines, telomere extension was attributed to activation of the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway4. A correction to this paper was published later in 2025. Reviews also describe reported effects on melatonin synthesis, interleukin-2 mRNA and cholinesterase activity, while noting that the full mechanism remains uncertain5.
What published studies have examined
Human fetal fibroblast cultures were used to examine telomerase catalytic subunit expression, enzyme activity and telomere length1, and proliferative potential at late passage2. A 2025 study measured telomere length by qPCR and immunofluorescence, hTERT mRNA and ALT activity in normal and cancer cell lines4.
A lifelong study in female outbred Swiss-derived SHR mice examined food consumption, body weight, oestrous function, chromosome aberrations in bone marrow cells, mean and maximum lifespan and spontaneous tumour incidence3.
Sources [3]
A 2025 review summarised in vitro, in vivo and in silico studies of Epithalon, covering its origin from epithalamin, reported neuroendocrine and antioxidant activities, and the limited physicochemical characterisation available5.
Sources [5]
Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells.
Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2003.
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, 2004.
Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice.
Anisimov VN, Khavinson VKh, Popovich IG, et al. Biogerontology, 2003.
Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity.
Al-Dulaimi S, Thomas R, Matta S, et al. Biogerontology, 2025.
Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties.
Araj SK, Brzezik J, Mądra-Gackowska K, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025.
This page is provided for research and educational reference only. It does not constitute medical advice, dosing guidance, or a recommendation for use. All compounds are strictly for laboratory and in-vitro research purposes.