LONGEVITY · Injectable
Epitalon.
Telomere-activating longevity peptide
How it works
Class & mechanism.
In short
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from a pineal gland compound, studied for its potential to activate telomerase and support telomere length — a marker linked to cellular aging. Preclinical evidence indicates it may also help restore circadian rhythm and pineal gland function. It is most often examined in longevity-focused research contexts.
Class
Tetrapeptide
Mechanism
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from Epithalamin, a polypeptide originally isolated from the pineal gland. It directly interacts with promoter regions of the telomerase gene by binding specific ATTTC DNA sequence motifs, inducing expression of hTERT (the catalytic subunit of telomerase), increasing enzymatic activity, and producing measurable telomere elongation in cell culture — with preclinical evidence suggesting the potential to extend cellular replicative lifespan beyond the Hayflick limit. Beyond telomerase activation, Epitalon penetrates cell nuclei to remodel chromatin structure and modulate epigenetic gene expression, while also restoring pineal gland function, boosting melatonin synthesis, and upregulating antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
Personalized Peptides provides DNA-driven peptide recommendations — we are not a compounding pharmacy, peptide synthesis company, or clinical provider.
Did you know
In a 12-year human study, elderly patients who received Epitalon and Thymalin annually for 6 years had 4.1× lower mortality than the control group — the largest mortality reduction ever recorded for a therapeutic peptide in human trials.
Preclinical Data
No human PK studies available.
Russian cytomedicine — limited Western replication, no dedicated PK study
Class
Tetrapeptide telomerase activator (Khavinson bioregulator)
Route
SC / Oral
Mol. Weight
390.3 Da
What we don't know
No standalone human PK study exists. The tetrapeptide size (~390 Da) suggests rapid absorption and renal clearance. All PK inference is indirect: oral bioavailability may be partial given small size (some tetrapeptides survive GI proteolysis); SC bioavailability assumed high. Most data published in Russian-language journals with limited Western peer replication.
Why this dosing protocol
Standard Khavinson protocol: 5-10mg SC daily for 10-20 days, repeated 2-3 times per year. The cyclical dosing rationale is based on the 'bioregulator' concept — tissue normalisation is proposed to persist for months after a short course, making continuous dosing unnecessary. Oral formulations (10mg capsules) are also marketed, though bioavailability is unconfirmed.
Empirical protocol: 5-10mg SC daily × 10-20 days, 2×/year
Safety notes
- Limited Western replication
- Russian-only clinical data
Pharmacokinetic data shown for educational context. All parameters are inferred or empirically derived — no formal human PK studies exist for this compound. Individual response varies. Not a substitute for clinical dosing guidance.
Benefits
What it does.
Telomere elongation — induces hTERT expression and activates telomerase, which may lengthen telomeres in human somatic cells and extend replicative lifespan
Circadian rhythm restoration — a randomized trial in 75 women showed 0.5 mg/day increased melatonin synthesis 1.6-fold and meaningfully reset circadian clock gene expression (Clock, Cry2, Csnk1e)
Neuroprotection and neural plasticity — human fibroblasts reprogramd to neurons and treated with Epitalon showed increased dendritic length, branching complexity, and synaptic junction counts
Antioxidant defense and DNA repair — enhances superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, reduces oxidative damage, and may restore youthful chromatin structure to support DNA repair
The science
Peer-reviewed findings.
Research supporting this compound's mechanisms and safety profile.
What this does not mean
Epitalon is a research chemical. The information on this page is educational and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Epitalon is not FDA-approved for anti-aging, telomere lengthening, circadian rhythm regulation, or any other use. This page does not recommend, endorse, or prescribe any compound for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health decisions. Personalized Peptides provides DNA-driven educational context and test interpretation — not clinical protocols or pharmaceutical recommendations.
In a 12-year longitudinal clinical trial at two independent Russian and Ukrainian gerontological centers (n=266 elderly patients), Thymalin + Epithalamin treatment reduced all-cause mortality 2.5-fold and cardiovascular mortality by approximately 45%; annual combined treatment over 6 years achieved a 4.1-fold mortality reduction versus controls
SOURCE · Khavinson VK & Morozov VG, Neuroendocrinology Letters, 2003
Epitalon induced a 33% increase in telomere elongation in human somatic cell cultures by upregulating hTERT expression and telomerase enzymatic activity — confirmed in PMC-published research using quantitative telomere length measurement alongside telomerase activity assays
SOURCE · Araj et al., PMC12411320, 2025; Khavinson VK et al., Bull Exp Biol Med, 2003
Randomized controlled trial in 75 women: sublingual Epitalon 0.5 mg/day for 20 days increased urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (melatonin metabolite) 1.6-fold vs placebo, with significant modulation of Clock, Cry2, and Csnk1e circadian gene expression in leukocytes
SOURCE · Randomized clinical study cited in Healthspan/gethealthspan.com review, 2024
Animal studies show Epitalon extends median and maximum lifespan by 12–24% in rodent models and increases superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, supporting its multi-pathway anti-aging action
SOURCE · Khavinson VK et al., Frontiers in Aging, 2026; Anisimov VN et al., Biogerontology, 2003
Protocol
How to use it.
Dosing
5–10 mg/day via subcutaneous injection for 10–20 consecutive days; alternatively, 0.5–1 mg/day sublingually for up to 20 days based on human circadian trials. Injections ideally administered at night due to melatonin-modulating effects.
Cycle
1–2 cycles per year with 4–6 months between cycles; some protocols use 3 cycles per year (1 month on, 3 months off). Long-term effects appear to consolidate during the rest period.
Contraindications
When to skip it.
No severe adverse events reported in multi-year clinical trials. Potential theoretical concern around stimulating telomerase in cancer cells — avoid use in individuals with active malignancy or strong personal/family cancer history. Only the all-L stereoisomeric form has been studied; other forms untested. No large-scale pharmacokinetic data in humans. Not approved outside Russia.
Always cleared with your concierge before protocol start.
Regulatory Context
FDA compounding status.
| FDA Status | Risk Level | Compounding | Key Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCAC Review July 2026 | 🔴 At Risk | Awaiting PCAC — 503A eligibility review | PCAC July 24, 2026 |
Removed from Category 2 (Apr 23, 2026). Under PCAC review July 24. Telomere-activating longevity peptide. Gray zone until formal 503A listing.
Source: FDA Federal Register, PCAC agendas, industry analyses. Educational context only — not legal advice. Review after July 23-24, 2026 PCAC meeting.
Pricing
What it costs.
Indicative range for Epitalon, sourced from vetted US and EU dispensing suppliers. Concierge confirms the exact figure once your match is locked.
Indicative range (USD)
Sourced through vetted dispensing partners in the United States and European Union. Concierge confirms the exact figure once your match is locked.
- 0199% purity verified, third-party tested
- 02Includes vial and reconstitution guidance
- 03Concierge supplier match included with every protocol
See Epitalon pricing — and your supplier match.
Pricing is unlocked once we know who you are. Take the 3-minute quiz and we'll match you to a US or EU dispensary based on your location and protocol fit.
- Live USD price range
- US & EU supplier shortlist
- Concierge sign-off on dosing
Indicative price range: $120–$180 USD