Epitalon, Epithalon, Epithalamin, AEDG/anti-aging & gerontology research,

Description

Epithalon / Epithalone / AEDG peptide; amino acid sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (Alanine — Glutamic acid — Aspartic acid — Glycine); molecular formula C₁₄H₂₂N₄O₉, molecular weight approximately 390.35; appears as white to off-white powder with typical purity ≥98%, good water solubility, recommended storage at -20°C protected from light.

Epithalon is a synthetic small-molecule tetrapeptide formed by sequentially linking four natural amino acids. Its sequence design refers to Epithalamin (pineal peptide), a natural polypeptide extracted from bovine pineal glands. It mimics the amino acid composition of Epithalamin to restore corresponding biological activities, hence it is also known in the industry as the "pineal tetrapeptide". The finished product from chemBlink is white to off-white powder, featuring small molecular size, good water solubility and relatively stable properties, making it easy for subpackaging, storage and formulation addition. As a telomerase-activating peptide with relatively systematic research so far, it has long been applied in experimental gerontology, regenerative medicine and anti-aging skincare raw material sectors. It serves as one of the representative raw materials for anti-aging applications in the peptide market, and is available in various common specifications ranging from milligram-scale research packs to gram-scale and kilogram-scale bulk raw material packs.

Key Effects

Overall, the main functional mechanism of Epitalon is "slowing aging at the cellular level": it can cross the cell membrane to enter the cell nucleus, reactivate silencing telomerase in somatic cells and help maintain the length of telomeres at the ends of chromosomes, thereby extending the replicative lifespan of cells. Meanwhile, it participates in regulating the secretion of melatonin and cortisol, alleviates oxidative stress, and exhibits protective potential in the nervous system, retina, metabolism and other aspects. It is a multi-level, systemic anti-aging regulatory peptide. The findings from InvivoChem, USA can be summarized as follows:
Activates telomerase and extends cell lifespan: In experiments on telomerase-negative human fibroblasts, its addition restores the expression of the telomerase catalytic subunit and enzyme activity, promotes telomere elongation, and extends the replicative lifespan of human fibroblasts by approximately 10 population doublings.
Systematic anti-aging effects: Lifespan extension and improvements in multiple aging-related functional indicators have been observed in models such as fruit flies and mice, exerting geroprotective effects.
Regulates biological clock and hormone rhythms: Studies on aged rhesus monkeys show it can stimulate nocturnal melatonin secretion and normalize disrupted circadian cortisol rhythms, targeting age-related sleep and endocrine disorders.
Antioxidation and protection against skin photoaging: In dermal fibroblast experiments, it reduces ultraviolet-induced oxidative stress and upregulates the expression of antioxidant genes including SOD-1, NQO1 and catalase.
Neuroprotection: It upregulates neurogenesis-related genes such as Nestin and GAP43, and maintains the expression of neprilysin and insulin-degrading enzyme under hypoxic conditions, which is associated with the clearance of abnormal proteins in the brain.
Research potential for tumor inhibition: It inhibits tumor growth in mouse spontaneous tumor models and transgenic mice carrying the HER-2/neu breast cancer gene.
Retinal protection: In retinitis pigmentosa models and related clinical observations, it helps slow the decline of retinal function and preserve visual function.
Improves metabolic function in aging bodies: Oral administration experiments on aged rats demonstrate improvements in small intestinal transport and enhanced active glucose absorption.

Applications

The applications of Epitalon revolve around the core theme of "anti-aging", covering three scenarios: research reagents, skincare raw materials and functional product development. On the research side, it is a commonly used tool peptide in studies of aging mechanisms, telomere biology, neuroscience, oncology and ophthalmology, covering the complete experimental chain from in vitro cells to animal models. On the industrial side, with characteristics such as low molecular weight, good water solubility and well-defined activity profiles, it is used as a bioactive peptide ingredient in high-end anti-aging skincare products, and is also widely adopted for custom formulation of peptide-based health products. For suppliers, this raw material is available in a full range of specifications, supporting both small-batch laboratory sampling and large-scale procurement. Its main application areas include:
Research reagents: Used by laboratories of universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical enterprises for research on telomeres and aging, cell cycles, DNA damage repair, compatible with common experiments including TRAP telomerase activity assay, qPCR/Western blot, population doubling and β-galactosidase senescence staining.
Experimental animal research: Applied in in vivo studies on aged rodents, transgenic tumor models, retinal degeneration models and more, supporting multiple administration routes such as subcutaneous injection, oral administration and intranasal delivery.
Anti-aging skincare raw materials: Incorporated into serums, creams, eye creams, lyophilized powder/solvent kits and other products as a bioactive peptide for antioxidant, anti-wrinkle and photoaging defense purposes (for topical skin use only; no medical claims are permitted).
Geriatric medicine and regenerative medicine research: Deployed for project development focusing on age-related functional decline, hormonal rhythm disorders, tissue regeneration and related fields.
Neuroscience and ophthalmology research: Served as an experimental tool peptide for neuroprotection, neurogenesis and retinitis pigmentosa research.
Peptide formulation and custom development: Can be combined with other signaling peptides and repair peptides to develop blended peptide raw materials and functional health products.