Epithalon

Epithalon, Epitalon, AEDG, and "Khavinson tetrapeptide" all refer to the same synthetic short peptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. It was developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a synthetic analog of pineal-derived Epithalamin. Our material is supplied as a lyophilized powder for in vitro research use only.

In a 2003 cell-culture study (Khavinson et al., Bull Exp Biol Med, PMID 14523536), AEDG exposure was reported to induce telomerase activity and extend telomere length in human somatic-cell cultures. These are in vitro findings only. They are frequently cited as the experimental basis for Epithalon's use as a research tool in telomere-biology models.

The Khavinson framework proposes that short peptides such as AEDG can enter the nucleus and bind specific regions of gene promoters, modulating transcription of age-associated genes. It underlies most of the published Epithalon work. However, a large fraction of the supporting data originates from the Khavinson group itself, and independent structural and replication studies confirming the proposed promoter-binding mechanism remain limited. Treat the framework as a working preclinical hypothesis rather than established mechanism.

Anisimov, Khavinson and colleagues have published rodent studies (e.g. CBA mice) reporting modest increases in mean lifespan and reductions in spontaneous tumor incidence after AEDG administration, along with restoration of circadian melatonin rhythm in aged rats. These are preclinical animal-model findings and are not interchangeable with human outcomes.

Lyophilized AEDG should be stored at -20°C for long-term stability and protected from light. Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, refrigerate at 2-8°C and use within 14 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

No. Epithalon is not approved by the FDA or any comparable agency for human therapeutic use. Material listed on this page is sold strictly as a research chemical for in vitro and preclinical investigation; it is not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic.