Also known as: Epithalon, AEDG
Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide designed from the amino acid composition of epithalamin, a bovine pineal gland extract. Most research comes from cell and animal studies, much of it from a small number of laboratories.
Epitalon is a four-amino-acid peptide modeled on the composition of the pineal extract epithalamin [1]. In human cell lines, researchers measured higher hTERT (telomerase subunit) expression and longer average telomere length after exposure. In normal cells this came with higher telomerase activity, while two tumor-derived lines showed increased ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) activity instead [2]. Other proposed effects come from earlier in vitro, in vivo and in silico work summarized in reviews, and remain to be independently confirmed [1][3].
| Study | Model | Reported result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telomere length and telomerase in human cell lines [2] | Cell Normal human fibroblasts (IBR.3) and mammary epithelial cells (HMEC), 3 weeks; two breast tumor-derived lines (21NT, BT474), 4 days | Telomere length increased in all four lines. Telomerase activity rose about 4-fold (IBR.3) and 26-fold (HMEC); tumor-derived lines showed ALT activity rather than telomerase. | Peer-reviewed Biogerontology 2025 |
| Overview of epitalon research [1] | Review Narrative review of in vitro, in vivo and in silico studies over about 25 years | Summarizes in vitro, in vivo and in silico research on epitalon and describes its design from the composition of epithalamin. | Peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2025 |
| Epitalon and epithalamin evidence review [3] | Review Narrative review of mechanistic, preclinical and clinical literature | Reviews mechanistic and preclinical findings for epitalon alongside separate research on the parent extract epithalamin. | Peer-reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2026 |
Human trials are listed for research context only; outcomes are reported in the linked publications. Animal and lab results do not establish effects in humans.
PureLab supplies Epitalon for laboratory research. Lot-specific certificates of analysis are posted on the product page as they are issued.
View research-grade Epitalon