Epitalon
Epithalon, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly
A synthetic tetrapeptide based on a pineal gland extract, developed mainly by Russian researchers. It is studied in telomerase, circadian rhythm and lifespan models.
Structure
A very short, strongly acidic tetrapeptide. Select any residue to see what it is.
Evidence at a glance
Where the published research on Epitalon comes from, by type of study.
Cell studies
Telomerase activity and telomere length in human cell cultures.
Animal studies
Lifespan in mice, rats and flies; melatonin rhythms in older animals.
Human studies
Small studies from Russia, mostly not independently replicated.
Research areas
What laboratories have studied Epitalon for, and in which models. These are research questions, not proven uses.
Telomerase and telomeres
Human fibroblast culture- Reported telomerase activation and telomere elongation in cultured cells.
Pineal gland and melatonin
Ageing rats and monkeys- Restored night-time melatonin rhythms in older animals.
Lifespan models
MiceDrosophila- Some studies reported longer average lifespan in treated animals.
Legal status
Epitalon is not an approved medicine anywhere we cover. Suppliers may sell it for laboratory research only, and regulators judge that by the whole website, not the label.
United States Not approved
Not FDA-approved. Removed from the Category 2 bulks list in April 2026. In July 2026 an FDA advisory committee voted to recommend it for the 503A bulks list; the vote is not binding and no rule had been proposed as of 27 October 2026.
United Kingdom Not licensed
No MHRA licence. Sold with medicinal claims it counts as a medicine under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012.
European Union Not authorised
No EMA authorisation. Under Directive 2001/83/EC a substance can be a medicine by function, whatever its label says.
Sport Check S0
Not approved for human use, so it falls under WADA's S0 non-approved substances class. Check the current list.
Lab handling
General good practice for research materials. Follow the supplier's datasheet where it differs.
Storage
Keep the sealed material at −20 °C, dry and away from light. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening to stop condensation.
Solubility
Soluble in sterile water. Add solvent down the vial wall and swirl gently rather than shaking.
Aliquots
Split solutions into single-use aliquots, label with lot number and date, and freeze. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Work out your stock solution
Stock concentration, molarity and dilutions for Epitalon, using MW 390.35 g/mol.
Before you buy for your lab
Tick each check as you confirm it with the supplier. Do not order until all six are done.
Questions researchers ask
What is Epitalon?
A synthetic tetrapeptide based on a pineal gland extract, developed mainly by Russian researchers. It is studied in telomerase, circadian rhythm and lifespan models.
What is the molecular weight of Epitalon?
About 390.35 g/mol for the free peptide. Salt forms such as acetate weigh more, so use the figure on your batch certificate of analysis.
Is Epitalon approved for human use?
No. Not FDA-approved. Removed from the Category 2 bulks list in April 2026. In July 2026 an FDA advisory committee voted to recommend it for the 503A bulks list; the vote is not binding and no rule had been proposed as of 27 October 2026.
How should Epitalon be stored in the lab?
Keep the sealed material cold, dry and away from light, typically at −20 °C. Once in solution, split it into single-use aliquots and freeze to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Does this page give doses?
No. We publish laboratory and educational information only, never doses, injection guidance or treatment advice.
Is Epitalon legal in the US after the July 2026 FDA vote?
It is still not FDA-approved. On 23–24 July 2026 the FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee narrowly voted to recommend adding BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, Epitalon and Semax to the 503A bulks list, against the advice of FDA staff. The vote is not binding. As of 27 October 2026 no rule has been proposed, and an interim access policy for compounding pharmacies has been under White House review since 14 October 2026. None of this changes the position of research-use-only sellers. Read our explainer on the July 2026 FDA vote.
Is Epitalon legal in the UK?
Epitalon it is not licensed by the MHRA. Selling it with medicinal claims makes it an unlicensed medicine under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, so UK suppliers can only offer it for laboratory research.
Epitalon vs Epithalon: is there a difference?
No. Epitalon, Epithalon and Epithalone are spellings of the same synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG).
Epitalon vs Epithalamin: what is the difference?
Epithalamin is a peptide extract from bovine pineal glands. Epitalon is a single synthetic tetrapeptide (AEDG) designed from it.
Epitalon vs DSIP: what is the difference?
Both are studied in sleep and circadian research, but Epitalon is a 4-amino-acid pineal-derived peptide and DSIP is a 9-amino-acid peptide first isolated from rabbit brain. See our DSIP profile.
Is Epitalon banned by WADA?
It is not approved for human use, so it falls under WADA's S0 non-approved substances class, which is prohibited at all times.
