Summary
Epitalon is a four-amino-acid peptide developed by Vladimir Khavinson’s group as a synthetic version of a pineal gland extract. The group reported that it activated telomerase in human cells and extended lifespan in some mouse strains. These findings have attracted wide interest but little independent replication.
Structure
- A1
- E2
- D3
- G4
HydrophobicGly / ProPolarBasic (+)Acidic (−)
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. A synthetic tetrapeptide designed to reproduce the activity of epithalamin, a polypeptide extract of bovine pineal gland.
How it works
Proposed to induce telomerase expression and telomere elongation, normalize melatonin rhythms, and regulate gene expression through direct interaction with DNA.
Research use cases
Areas where Epitalon has been studied. Inclusion here does not mean it works for that purpose.
- Telomere and telomerase biology
- Lifespan and tumour incidence in rodents
- Pineal and melatonin regulation
- Retinal degeneration models
What the research found
Telomerase in human cells
Adding epitalon to cultured human fetal fibroblasts induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation, according to the developers.1
Mouse lifespan
In female SHR mice, long-term epitalon treatment slowed age-related changes in some biomarkers, modestly increased maximum lifespan and reduced leukaemia incidence.2
Gene regulation review
The group’s 2021 systematic review places epitalon within its broader model of short peptides that regulate gene expression.3
Safety and open questions
Very short peptides of natural amino acids are generally considered low in toxicity, and Russian reports describe few side effects. There are no large, independent, controlled human trials.
Regulatory status
Not approved in the US or EU. Included in the July 2026 FDA advisory committee compounding vote.
Status was accurate when this page was last reviewed on October 26, 2026. Regulations change; check with the relevant authority before relying on it.
Epitalon: common questions
Does epitalon lengthen telomeres in people?
That has not been shown in a controlled human trial. The telomerase finding comes from cell culture in the developers’ laboratory.
What is the difference between epitalon and epithalamin?
Epithalamin is a mixture extracted from bovine pineal glands. Epitalon is the single synthetic tetrapeptide designed to reproduce its activity.
Is Epitalon approved for human use?
Not approved in the US or EU. Included in the July 2026 FDA advisory committee compounding vote.
References
- Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. (2003). Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine.
- Anisimov VN, Khavinson VKh, Popovich IG, et al. (2003). Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice. Biogerontology.
- Khavinson VK, Popovich IG, Linkova NS, Mironova ES, Ilina AR. (2021). Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review. Molecules.
Links open a PubMed search for the exact title, or the original source where one is given.