Epithalon

Epithalon (Epitalon, Epithalone) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) based on the natural epithalamic peptide Epithalamin, which is produced by the pineal gland. It is one of the most extensively studied peptides in longevity and aging research, with over two decades of research data from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. The primary mechanism of action involves activation of telomerase (hTERT), the enzyme responsible for maintaining and elongating telomere length — the protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with each cell division and are strongly associated with cellular aging. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Epithalon treatment increases telomerase activity in human somatic cells, extends the Hayflick limit (maximum number of cell divisions), restores circadian melatonin production in aging pineal glands, normalizes anterior pituitary function, improves retinal health in aging models, and enhances antioxidant enzyme activity. Perhaps most notably, longitudinal studies in rodent models showed significant lifespan extension in Epithalon-treated cohorts compared to controls. Research has also explored its immunomodulatory properties and its effects on age-related changes in gene expression profiles.