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Pineal tetrapeptide

Epithalon

Preclinical

Also known as Epitalon, AEDG

The telomerase peptide riding decades of Russian longevity claims.

Cited sources
1
Human-tested claims
0 of 2
Best evidence
Tier 3 · Preclinical
Status
Research-only

A four-amino-acid peptide reported to activate telomerase and modulate melatonin rhythms. There is a published in-vitro telomerase result, but the lifespan and clinical-longevity claims come almost entirely from older, mostly single-group Russian studies — genuine frontier territory.

longevityfrontier

How it works

Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) is a synthetic version of a pineal-gland extract. In cultured human cells it has been reported to switch on telomerase, the enzyme that maintains chromosome-protecting telomeres — the basis of the longevity narrative, which remains far from established in people.

Sequence: AEDGA synthetic pineal tetrapeptide.

What it's studied for

One claim per card, each with its own tier and source. Tiers 1 and 2 are human data. Tiers 3 and 4 are not yet.

Regulatory & legal status

Research-only

Not approved by any major regulator; not a registered pharmaceutical even in Russia. Research-only, with no modern controlled human safety data.

[1]Khavinson et al., 2003 (Bull Exp Biol Med)(opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked

Does epithalon extend lifespan?

That claim rests on decades-old, mostly single-group studies and has not been independently replicated at scale. Treat it as an open question, not a demonstrated effect.

References

  1. [1]Khavinson et al., 2003 (Bull Exp Biol Med) (opens in a new tab)

Written by Twenty Residues editorial. Medical review: pending; a named reviewer is being assigned.

Last updated September 19, 2026.

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Update history
  • 2026-09-19 — Sourced review — every claim checked against primary literature; sequence, regulatory status, safety, and FAQs added.