Epithalon (Epitalon)

Epithalon is a tetrapeptide with the amino acid sequence alanine-glutamic acid-aspartic acid-glycine and a molecular weight of approximately 390.35 g/mol. It is a synthetic version of a substance associated with the pineal gland (epiphysis).

Mechanism of action under investigation

Research is being carried out into Epithalon in relation to telomeres — the protective ends of chromosomes — and to the enzyme telomerase. Its role in regulating the pineal gland is also a topic of research. These areas of research have made Epithalon popular within biogerontology, the field that studies ageing.

It is important to emphasise that this research is preliminary. The topics mentioned are based on pre-clinical and a few clinical studies and do not constitute evidence of anti-ageing or health benefits in humans. No such claims are made.

The small size of the tetrapeptide — just four amino acids — makes it relatively easy to synthesise and characterise. That is one of the reasons why Epithalon is a practical and workable subject for study, despite the complex research questions involved.

This combination of a clear structure and a stimulating field of research explains the enduring scientific interest in Epithalon.

Research into Epithalon can largely be traced back to the work of Vladimir Khavinson and his colleagues at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. This group studied the peptide over several decades.

• Research focus: telomeres and telomerase activity (preclinical).
• Research focus: regulation of the pineal gland.
• Research focus: cellular ageing within biogerontology.

Status of human research

Epithalon has not been authorised as a medicinal product and is supplied solely as research material. Some of the research stems from a specific line of research; independent, large-scale replication is limited. For researchers, this means that pure, well-documented source material and a critical interpretation of the literature are particularly important.

The telomerase hypothesis concerning Epithalon is appealing but also controversial, precisely because much of the data stems from a single line of research. For a meticulous researcher, this is a reason to evaluate the results critically and to rely on pure, well-documented source material.

It is precisely in the case of controversial hypotheses that transparent documentation of purity and origin is a prerequisite for valuable follow-up research; you should therefore use a batch-specific certificate.

Epithalon is supplied as a lyophilised powder and reconstituted in the laboratory using bacteriostatic water. The steps below describe only the laboratory procedures for research purposes.

1. 1Allow the vial and the bacteriostatic water to reach room temperature.
2. 2Wipe the rubber stoppers of both vials with an alcohol wipe.
3. 3Allow the bacteriostatic water to run slowly down the side of the vial; do not direct it straight onto the powder.
4. 4Gently swirl the vial until everything has dissolved; do not shake.
5. 5Store the solution in the fridge and label it with the date and batch number.

You can find supplies such as bacteriostatic water, insulin syringes and alcohol wipes under ‘Lab & Accessories’. This is a laboratory instruction and does not constitute dosage advice for consumption.

Combining approaches in research

In longevity research, Epithalon is sometimes studied alongside molecules such as NAD+, as both are involved in cellular ageing processes. Document each compound separately, specifying its purity and batch number.

Accurate reporting

Given the sensitivity of this field of research, accurate documentation of concentration, batch number and storage conditions is particularly important for the reproducibility of your experiments.

Store Epithalon in powder form in a cool, dark place to ensure maximum stability.

Practical storage tips

• Powder form: freezer (-20 °C) for long-term storage; fridge (2–8 °C) for short-term storage.
• After reconstitution: store refrigerated (2–8 °C) and use within a few weeks.
• Avoid direct light, heat and repeated temperature changes.
• Write the reconstitution date and batch number on the vial.

Careful storage preserves the purity of the research material.

Stable, cold storage ensures reliable measurement results across experiments.