Epithalon

What it is

Epithalon is a four-amino-acid peptide designed by Vladimir Khavinson's group in St. Petersburg to mimic epithalamin, a peptide extract from the pineal gland.

How it works

Cell studies report that it activates telomerase, the enzyme that maintains the protective ends of chromosomes, and influences melatonin rhythms. The proposed mechanism is direct interaction with DNA and gene regulation, which has not been independently established.

What the research shows

• Khavinson and colleagues reported telomere elongation in cultured human cells (2003) and longer lifespan in some animal studies.
• Human data come mainly from the same research group and have not been widely replicated.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. In July 2026 the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted to recommend Epithalon for the compounding bulks list. On October 28, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services announced an interim enforcement discretion policy covering Epithalon and five other peptides: it does not intend to take action against state-licensed pharmacies, federal facilities or licensed physicians that compound them under section 503A, as long as strict conditions are met. These include bulk material from an FDA-registered manufacturer with a certificate of analysis, a single active ingredient, only the routes of administration the policy lists, specific labeling and reporting of serious adverse events to the FDA. The policy does not add Epithalon to the 503A bulks list or approve any product, it does not cover 503B outsourcing facilities, and HHS says it may revisit the policy if safety or quality problems arise. Research-grade material is not a compounded drug product.

Storage and handling

Lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder is most stable sealed, dry and protected from light. Laboratory practice is to keep unopened vials frozen at about -20 °C for long-term storage, or refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C for shorter periods. After reconstitution, keep the solution refrigerated at 2 to 8 °C, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles and use aseptic technique for every draw. Formal stability data in solution has not been published for most research peptides, so follow the supplier's label and certificate of analysis.

Reconstitution math

To work out concentration, volume and U-100 syringe units for any vial size, use the reconstitution calculator with Epithalon selected. Always confirm the vial content against the label and the batch's certificate of analysis.

Key references

• Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003.
• Search PubMed for Epithalon studies

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