Molecular Structure Explorer
Epitalon
Structure of the compound covered in this guide.
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Cleared Peptides research team
Research use only. Epitalon (Epithalon): Research Guide to the Bioregulator Tetrapeptide is supplied for laboratory research. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic, or dietary supplement. It is not FDA-approved. It is not for human or veterinary administration. This page does not give a dose or a method of administration. A study cited on this page describes that study’s own test article. It does not make this lot an approved medicine. To check a fact, open the PubMed or DOI link, confirm the authors and year, and match the paper’s compound name, CAS number, or sequence to the specification table. The full method is on the research desk page. Identity and purity for a lot are only what that lot’s certificate of analysis reports. An HPLC percentage is not a sterility result and not an endotoxin result unless the certificate prints those tests.
Epitalon (also spelled epithalon; Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues, based on the amino-acid composition of epithalamin, a peptide extract of the pineal gland. It is the best-known member of the short-peptide bioregulator family.
In this guide:
Epitalon Structure and Identifiers
| Name | Epitalon (Epithalon) |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 307297-39-8 |
| PubChem CID | 219042 |
| Molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 |
| Molecular weight | ≈390.3 g/mol |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
Short Peptide Bioregulators
Khavinson’s group proposed that very short peptides (2–4 residues) derived from tissue extracts can interact with DNA and chromatin to influence gene expression. Epitalon is one of a series of such peptides; related compounds include Pinealon, Vilon, Cortagen and Livagen.
Published In-Vitro Research Areas
- Telomerase activity and telomere-length studies in cultured somatic cells
- Chromatin condensation and gene-expression studies
- Peptide–DNA interaction modelling
This summary describes laboratory research only and makes no claim about effects in humans or animals.
Cleared Peptides supplies Epitalon and a range of bioregulator peptides, each with a lot COA on our COA page.
Research materials referenced in this guide
Analytical testing notes for Epitalon (Epithalon)
Epitalon (Epithalon) is identified in this guide as CAS 307297-39-8, formula C14H22N4O9, listed mass ≈390.3 g/mol. The sequence recorded here is Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). An identity test compares a measurement with those values. A mass spectrum is the usual measurement for a peptide. FTIR, when a certificate uses it, is a supporting infrared fingerprint and is less specific for closely related sequences.
Epitalon (Epithalon) is a short peptide. Short, polar sequences retain weakly on C18 unless the mobile phase contains an ion-pairing acid such as trifluoroacetic acid. Detection is usually ultraviolet at 214 nm, because many of these sequences have no tryptophan or tyrosine and are nearly silent at 280 nm. Mass spectrometry, and MS/MS when isomers are plausible, is what distinguishes one short sequence from another with a similar retention time.
HPLC purity for this material is an area-percent result at the wavelength and gradient the laboratory states, commonly ultraviolet detection near 214 nm on a reversed-phase column. The instrument is a gradient pump, injector, column oven, and UV or diode-array detector. That percentage is not the number of milligrams in the vial. Water, acetate, trifluoroacetate, and other UV-silent material can dominate the gross weight while the purity figure stays high. Net peptide content, from an assay or amino-acid analysis, is the separate result to read when the certificate reports it.
A sterility test and an endotoxin test are not included in a chemical purity result. The compendial sterility test is a culture method (USP <71>): membrane filtration or direct inoculation into fluid thioglycollate medium and soybean-casein digest medium, incubated for 14 days. A PCR sterility screen uses a thermal cycler to detect microbial DNA and is a different method. The endotoxin test (USP <85> LAL, or USP <86> recombinant Factor C) reports endotoxin units with an incubating reader or a cartridge reader. Use a result only when that method is printed on the lot certificate. One published example in this catalog states that the report does not cover microbial contamination or endotoxins. The full description of equipment, standards, and how US laboratory accreditation works is in peptide analytical testing. Lot records are on the COA page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Epitalon the same as Epithalon?
Yes. Both spellings refer to the tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (CAS 307297-39-8).
Where does Epitalon come from?
It is a synthetic peptide designed from the composition of epithalamin, a pineal-gland extract.
Is Epitalon for human use?
No. It is supplied for laboratory research use only.
Selected References
Peer-reviewed literature on the compounds discussed in this guide, listed as scientific background for laboratory researchers. Citation does not imply endorsement by the authors or any use other than in-vitro research.
- Araj SK, et al. Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;26(6). PubMed 40141333 · DOI
- Khavinson VK. Tissue-specific effects of peptides. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2001;132(2):807-8. PubMed 11713572 · DOI
Laboratory note: solubility depends on salt form and solvent. This guide does not state a single solubility figure. Handling of lyophilized material is described in the peptide storage guide.
Research Use Only Notice
This guide is provided for educational and laboratory reference purposes. It summarizes published, primarily in-vitro and structural research literature and does not describe, recommend or imply any use in humans or animals. Products sold by Cleared Peptides are for laboratory research use only; they are not drugs, foods, cosmetics or dietary supplements, are not FDA-approved, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. No dosing, administration or therapeutic information is provided.
