Last Updated January 31, 2024

 January 31, 2024

Curious about Epithalon side effects?

Surging interest in the anti-aging effects of epithalon has led the peptide community to delve deeper into potential epithalon side effects.

To aid prospective researchers, we have created this guide to epithalon side effects to summarize the main research findings related to this peptide.

Below, we have also included a discussion of epithalon’s demonstrated and purported uses and benefits, as well our recommendation of the best place to buy this research peptide online.

Buy Epithalon from our top-rated vendor...

Disclaimer: Peptides.org contains information about products that are intended for laboratory and research use only, unless otherwise explicitly stated. This information, including any referenced scientific or clinical research, is made available for educational purposes only. Likewise, any published information relative to the dosing and administration of reference materials is made available strictly for reference and shall not be construed to encourage the self-administration or any human use of said reference materials. Peptides.org makes every effort to ensure that any information it shares complies with national and international standards for clinical trial information and is committed to the timely disclosure of the design and results of all interventional clinical studies for innovative treatments publicly available or that may be made available. However, research is not considered conclusive. Peptides.org makes no claims that any products referenced can cure, treat or prevent any conditions, including any conditions referenced on its website or in print materials.


What is Epithalon?

Developed in the 1980s by researchers at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (a sequence of four amino acids) that has been shown to induce telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells [1].

It has also been shown to suppress CCl11 and HMGB1 genes, which are markers associated with aging and neurological, cardiovascular, and immune diseases [2].

Epithalon is known by a variety of names including epitalon, tetrapeptide epitalon, and epithalone. It is also sometimes referred to by its amino acid sequence “AEDG peptide,” which stands for “Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly” [3].


Benefits of Epithalon

In Russia, epithalon is approved to treat menopause-related symptoms, anovulatory infertility, and hormone-dependent tumors [4].

However, as noted by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), virtually all trials involving epithalon have been conducted in Russia and have yet to be independently confirmed [5].

Outside of Russia, epithalon is available to licensed researchers as a reference material and is not intended for human use.
Below is our summary of the findings of past studies showing the biological effects of epithalon when administered to test subjects.

Epithalon and Longevity

Epithalon’s main effect is to induce telomerase activity and elongate telomeres in human somatic cells. A 2003 study by Khavinson et al. found that epithalon had this effect when introduced to telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblast culture. These findings indicate that epithalon may prolong the lifespan of organisms or cell populations, and of humans by extension [1].

Further according to Professor Khavinson, epithalamin “augments the in vitro outgrowth of explants from the pineal gland but not from other tissues” and has been found to offer the following anti-aging and longevity benefits [6, 7]:

  • Increases melatonin production in rat pineal glands
  • Improves immunological parameters in animals (rats and mice)
  • Exhibits anticarcinogenic effects in various experimental models
  • Stimulates antioxidant defenses
  • Restores reproductive function in old rats

There is clear evidence from clinical trials that the peptide increases the lifespan of animals (namely rats, mice, and fruit flies), and exhibits geroprotective activity in humans.

Epithalon and Sleep Enhancement

Epithalon regulates the function of the pineal gland, the retina, and the brain, and may thus enhance sleep [3].

Research involving elderly test subjects has shown that epithalon can normalize the hormone circadian rhythm and improve the quality and duration of sleep. For example, a 2007 study published in the Russian language by Korkushko et al. found that epithalon can, when administered to both elderly monkeys and people, modulate the functional state of the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin to control the circadian cycle and wakefulness [8].

Epithalon’s Disease-fighting, Anti-cancer, and Antioxidant Effects

There is strong research interest in epithalon’s disease-fighting, anti-cancer, and antioxidant effects, namely in its ability to decrease experimental cancerogenesis and increase longevity in animals [3].

A 2007 study investigated the effects of epithalon on the lifespan and development of spontaneous tumors in female rats exposed to natural and constant illumination. Researchers found that epithalon “significantly inhibited” the development of tumors in rats exposed to natural light [7].

Epithalon has also demonstrated several disease-fighting benefits in human participants. A 2003 prospective cohort study by Khavinson and Morozov found that epithalon had the following effects when administered to a sample of 266 adults over the age of 60 [9]:

  • Decreased incidence of ischemic heart disease
  • Decreased incidence of hypertension disease
  • Lowered rates of deforming osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

More recently, a 2020 study by Khavinson et al. involving human stem cells found that epithalon can “epigenetically regulate neuronal differentiation gene expression and protein synthesis” [3].


epithalon side effects


Epithalon Side Effects | A Comprehensive Review

One of the most instructive pieces of research regarding epithalon side effects is a 2011 paper that presented the results of a randomized comparative study involving epithalamin (epithalon is a synthetic derivative of epithalamin) [10].

Researchers conducted a 15-year follow-up with 39 coronary patients that had received regular courses of epithalamin and basic therapy and compared them with a control group of 40 coronary patients that had received the therapy alone.

The researchers noted that compared with the control group, the epithalamin-treated patients exhibited [10]:

  • Decelerated aging of the cardiovascular system
  • Decreased rate of cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular failure (-50%)
  • Less age-associated impairment of physical endurance
  • Normalized circadian rhythm for melatonin production
  • Normalized circadian rhythm for lipid (fats) and carbohydrate metabolism
  • Lower rate of mortality (-28%)

The follow-up study on long-term epithalamin treatment represents strong evidence of eptithalon’s favorable safety profile and relative absence of notable epithalon side effects.


Epithalon and Anti-Aging

There is strong research showing that epithalon offers anti-aging benefits in animal and human test subjects.

The aforementioned 15-year follow-up study (Korkushko et al. 2011) found that patients who received biannual epithalamin treatments for three years experienced a 28% lower rate of overall mortality than those in the control group when researchers assessed them 12 years later [10].

According to Dr. Khavinson, epithalon “reproduces the effects of epithalamin” and was developed specifically to treat the eye retina and the pineal gland [6].

In summary, epithalon has been found to:

  • Increase the lifespan of animal test subjects (mice and fruit flies)
  • Restore the circadian rhythm of melatonin and cortisol production in animal test subjects (rhesus monkeys)
  • Prolong the integrity of the eye retina in animal test subjects (rats)
  • Improve visual functions in elderly patients with age-related difficulties

Despite these promising results, formal research into epithalon and anti-aging remains lacking, prompting researchers to actively explore the peptide.


epithalon side effects


Where to Buy Epithalon Online? | 2024 Edition

Researchers interested in investigating longevity-promoting peptides may be curious about where to buy epithalon online.

The good news is that this peptide is available to qualified researchers as a reference material. But, with so many vendors to choose from, how can researchers select the best option?

To answer that question, the Peptides.org team has made test orders from a number of peptide vendors, rating each based on their professionalism, prices, shipping times, and overall experience.

Based on our reviews of the top online vendors, here is our top recommended source of epithalon for research:

Limitless Life

This research peptides vendor stands out above the rest: Limitless Life. We recommend them for any researcher who needs to source high quality peptides. 

Why? All of their products are third-party tested, and they also have an excellent reputation, top-notch service, and they’re BBB-accredited.

More info below:

  • Product Quality and Purity: Limitless Life employs third-party lab testing to ensure that each batch of their peptides has a 99% purity level or greater.
  • Excellent Reputation: With excellent reviews and a low rate of credit card charge-backs, Limitless Life has proven that they are a trustworthy and reputable source for research peptides.
  • Responsive Support and Service: Limitless Life proves their dedication to support and service by making their customer service team accessible 7 days per week via phone or email.
  • Reviews and Accreditation: Limitless Life is recognized for their good business practices. They are Better Business Bureau-accredited, recognized by Dun and Bradstreet, and have earned high customer ratings on websites like Trustpilot.
  • Capsule Formulations: Limitless Life is one of the few peptides vendors that offers high-quality Epithalon capsules for research.

Also, Limitless Life is offering 10% off a future order for researchers who use our exclusive code and link. Just click the banner below and add this code:

peptidesorg10

Buy Epithalon from our top-rated vendor...


Bacteriostatic Water for Epithalon

When working with Epithalon, researchers need to follow the recommended methods of reconstitution and storage.

This requires a set of tools in addition to bacteriostatic water, such as sterile vials, insulin syringes, and other materials.

Typically, a researcher may be required to source laboratory supplies and materials like:

  • Bacteriostatic Water
  • Insulin Syringes
  • Alcohol Prep Pads
  • Large Needles + Syringes
  • Sterile Empty Glass Vials

For researcher who do not have said materials and supplies available, it is advised to only source the materials through authorized vendors.


Side Effects of Epithalon? | Verdict

Epithalamin and its derivative epithalon have undergone long-term testing in both human and animal trias, with virtually no major side effects noted to date.

The anti-aging peptide has been demonstrated to provide anti-aging benefits and increase longevity, enhance sleep, and prevent certain forms of disease.

For researchers looking to source epithalon, visit our top-rated vendor here.


References

  1.  Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Jun;135(6):590-2. doi: 10.1023/a:1025493705728. PMID: 12937682.
  2.  Khavinson VKh, Kuznik BI, Tarnovskaia SI, Lin'kova NS. [Peptides and CCL11 and HMGB1 as molecular markers of aging: literature review and own data]. Adv Gerontol. 2014;27(3):399-406. Russian. PMID: 25826983.
  3.  Khavinson V, Diomede F, Mironova E, Linkova N, Trofimova S, Trubiani O, Caputi S, Sinjari B. AEDG Peptide (Epitalon) Stimulates Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis during Neurogenesis: Possible Epigenetic Mechanism. Molecules. 2020 Jan 30;25(3):609. doi: 10.3390/molecules25030609. PMID: 32019204; PMCID: PMC7037223.
  4.  Anisimov VN, Mylnikov SV, Oparina TI, Khavinson VK. Effect of melatonin and pineal peptide preparation epithalamin on life span and free radical oxidation in Drosophila melanogaster. Mech Ageing Dev. 1997 Aug;97(2):81-91. doi: 10.1016/s0047-6374(97)01897-6. PMID: 9226628.
  5.  Epithalamin/Epithalon. (2022). Retrieved 2 May 2022, from https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Epithalamin-and-Epithalon-Cognitive-Vitality-For-Researchers.pdf
  6.  Khavinson VKh. Peptides and Ageing. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23 Suppl 3:11-144. PMID: 12374906.
  7.  Vinogradova IA, Bukalev AV, Zabezhinski MA, Semenchenko AV, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN. Effect of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide on life span and development of spontaneous tumors in female rats exposed to different illumination regimes. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2007 Dec;144(6):825-30. doi: 10.1007/s10517-007-0441-z. PMID: 18856211.
  8.  Korkushko OV, Lapin BA, Goncharova ND, Khavinson VKh, Shatilo VB, Vengerin AA, Antoniuk-Shcheglova IA, Magdich LV. [Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people]. Adv Gerontol. 2007;20(1):74-85. Russian. PMID: 17969590.
  9.  Khavinson VKh, Morozov VG. Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003 Jun-Aug;24(3-4):233-40. PMID: 14523363.
  10.  Korkushko OV, Khavinson VKh, Shatilo VB, Antonyk-Sheglova IA. Peptide geroprotector from the pituitary gland inhibits rapid aging of elderly people: results of 15-year follow-up. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2011 Jul;151(3):366-9. English, Russian. doi: 10.1007/s10517-011-1332-x. PMID: 22451889.

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents