Epithalon and pinealon are compared because both are short synthetic peptides from Russian research. Epithalon is a four-amino-acid peptide based on epithalamin from the pineal gland, discussed in longevity research. Pinealon is a three-amino-acid peptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) from the Khavinson family of peptide bioregulators, studied for neuroprotection. Neither is FDA-approved.
At a glance
| Epithalon | Pinealon | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) based on epithalamin from the pineal gland, studied in longevity research | Synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) from the Khavinson family of peptide bioregulators, studied in Russia for neuroprotection |
| How it's thought to work | Reported to activate telomerase and to normalize melatonin secretion and circadian rhythm | Proposed to enter cells and influence gene expression in neural tissue, supporting antioxidant defenses |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved |
| Strength of evidence | Mostly Russian laboratory and animal studies; longevity claims go beyond the human evidence | Mostly animal and cell studies, largely from one Russian research group; independent replication is limited |
| Reported side effects | Minimal; possible injection site irritation. Long-term human safety, including telomerase-related risk, is not well characterized | Minimal reported; occasional injection site irritation. Independent safety data is limited |
| Common vial sizes | 10mg, 50mg, 100mg | 5mg, 10mg |
| Mixing math example | 10 mg + 2 mL BAC water = 5,000 mcg/mL, 50 mcg per unit | 5 mg + 1 mL BAC water = 5,000 mcg/mL, 50 mcg per unit |
Key differences
Epithalon is reported to activate telomerase and to normalize melatonin secretion and circadian rhythm. Pinealon is proposed to enter cells and influence gene expression in neural tissue, supporting antioxidant defenses and neuronal function.
Both have minimal reported side effects, mainly possible injection site irritation. Independent safety data is limited for both, and epithalon's long-term safety, including any risk related to telomerase activation, is not well characterized.
What the research covers
Both research bases come mainly from Russia. Epithalon's studies report telomerase activation and lifespan effects in laboratory models, and its longevity claims go beyond the human evidence. Pinealon's evidence is mostly animal and cell studies, largely from one research group, with limited independent replication.
Sources
- Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice. Anisimov VN et al. Biogerontology, 2003. Preclinical
- Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cells. Khavinson VKh et al. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2004. Preclinical
- EDR Peptide: Possible Mechanism of Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Regulation Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease.. Khavinson V et al. Molecules, 2020. Review
- Pinealon protects the rat offspring from prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia.. Arutjunyan A et al. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2012. Preclinical
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between epithalon and pinealon?
Epithalon is studied for telomerase activation and circadian rhythm. Pinealon is studied for neuroprotection and effects on gene expression in neural tissue.
Is epithalon or pinealon FDA-approved?
Neither is FDA-approved.
Is there independent human research on epithalon or pinealon?
It is limited for both. Most of the research on each comes from Russian laboratory and animal studies.
Are epithalon and pinealon the same peptide?
No. Epithalon is a four-amino-acid peptide and pinealon is a three-amino-acid peptide, studied for different effects, though both come from Russian research.
Both entries, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app covers Epithalon, Pinealon and 68 other compounds, with a reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
Download on the App Store