Epitalon

Summary

Epitalon (epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide derived from epithalamin, a natural polypeptide extract of the bovine pineal gland. It has been studied primarily in Russia for its putative anti-aging, telomerase-activating, and neuroendocrine-modulating properties. It is not approved by any major regulatory agency and is used mainly in preclinical and early clinical research settings.

Mechanism of Action

Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) that stimulates telomerase activity, promotes telomere elongation, and regulates pineal gland function by normalizing melatonin secretion and restoring circadian rhythms. May also act as a epigenetic regulator influencing gene expression related to aging.

Routes of Administration

Goals & Uses

• Oncology preventionOncologyLow
• Telomere elongationCellular BiologyLow
• Circadian rhythm and sleep normalizationNeuroendocrineLow
• Anti-aging / LongevityAgingLow
• Immune modulationImmunologyLow

Contraindications

• Active malignancyOncologyHighUse caution or avoid depending on agent and context
• Pediatric usePopulationHigh
• PregnancyPopulationHighPotential fetal risk or insufficient safety data
• BreastfeedingPopulationHighPotential transfer into breast milk or insufficient safety data

Adverse Effects

• Injection site reactionsLocalCommon
• FatigueGeneralUncommonLow energy or tiredness
• Unknown long-term effectsGeneralUnknown

Drug Interactions

• Melatonin / Melatonin agonistsLow
• ImmunosuppressantsModeratePotential interaction with immune pathways or infection risk

Population Constraints

• Pediatric patientsAgeAbsolute
• Pregnant or lactating womenReproductiveAbsolute
• Elderly patientsAgeRelative
• Patients with history of cancerOncologyRelative

Regulatory Status

• European UnionUnapprovedNot approved by EMA. Available only in research contexts.
• United StatesUnapprovedNot FDA-approved. Classified as a research chemical. May not be legally sold as a dietary supplement or drug.
• United KingdomUnapprovedNot approved by MHRA. Sold as a research peptide; human use is unregulated.

Not approved by the FDA, EMA, or MHRA for any therapeutic indication. Sold as a research chemical or peptide. Use in humans outside of clinical trials is unregulated. Some clinical studies have been conducted in Russia but do not meet Western regulatory standards for drug approval.

Evidence & Sources

No sources recorded yet.