This is a working overview of Epithalamin, written for readers who want more than a one-paragraph summary but less than a textbook.
This page was last updated on 2025-10-08 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
Published evidence comes mainly from Russian-language journals and from a single research group, with small sample sizes and limited independent replication. A few laboratories outside that group have examined related peptides and reported weaker or absent telomerase effects, so the central claim is best described as contested rather than settled. Rodent studies report modest changes in some ageing markers and in survival, but designs vary and control conditions are often sparse. No large randomised trial in humans has been published, and long-term safety data in healthy populations are correspondingly thin.
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence alanine-glutamate-aspartate-glycine, commonly abbreviated AEDG. It was designed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a short, chemically defined analogue of epithalamin, a fraction obtained from bovine pineal tissue. Small peptide bioregulators of this type formed a long-running line of work there from the 1980s onward. Because the molecule is produced by solid-phase synthesis rather than extraction, its composition is exact and its purity can be measured directly.
Lyophilised epitalon is generally held at minus twenty degrees Celsius in a sealed container kept dry and dark. Cooler conditions are sometimes recommended for long-term archives. The solid takes up moisture readily enough that repeated opening of a vial introduces water, so dividing a batch into smaller portions before storage lowers degradation risk. Aqueous solutions are less durable than the dry powder and are usually prepared shortly before use, then kept cold and shielded from light to slow hydrolysis and oxidation.
Verification of research-grade material involves comparing a supplier chromatogram against an in-house reference, checking the observed mass against the calculated value, and where possible confirming residue order by tandem mass spectrometry or enzymatic peptide mapping. Purity claims should be read alongside the method used to obtain them, because detection wavelength and integration settings alter the result. Batch-specific data, rather than a generic grade statement, is the informative part of a certificate.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 | Calculated from the four residues with three water losses |
| Molecular mass | About 390.35 g/mol | Monoisotopic mass near 390.14, used for mass-spectrometric identification |
| Peptide sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly | Single-letter form AEDG; no disulfide bonds or modified residues |
| Appearance | White to off-white solid | Supplied as a dried powder |
| Isoelectric point | Around 4 | Estimated from aspartate and glutamate side-chain pKa values |
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the residue sequence alanine-glutamate-aspartate-glycine, commonly abbreviated AEDG. Its monoisotopic mass is approximately 390.35 daltons, and it is usually supplied as a lyophilised trifluoroacetate or acetate salt. The compound was derived from a pineal gland extract called epithalamin, a heterogeneous preparation investigated in the former Soviet Union. Researchers associated with the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology described the tetrapeptide as a constituent fragment of that extract. Commercial material is offered as a laboratory reagent rather than as a finished pharmaceutical product.
Literature searches for this compound must account for several spelling variants. Indexing databases contain epitalon, epithalon, epithalone, and AEDG, and relevant records are scattered across Russian-language and English-language journals that do not consistently cross-cite. Early publications describe the parent extract as a mixture of many peptides, whereas later work addresses the single synthetic tetrapeptide. That shift in nomenclature complicates comparison between studies, because extract data and tetrapeptide data are sometimes cited interchangeably. A search strategy omitting the alternate spellings will return an incomplete set of references.
Epitalon appears in the literature primarily through a small number of research groups, most of them associated with the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Publications describe cell culture experiments, animal studies, and a limited number of small human studies. Independent replication outside this network is sparse. As a result, reviews of the topic usually separate descriptive reports of observed effects from the question of whether those effects generalize, and they note the difficulty of comparing studies that use different preparations and endpoints.
Analytical characterization of epitalon relies on standard peptide methods. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is used to assess purity, and mass spectrometry confirms identity by checking the observed mass against the expected value near 390 daltons. Amino acid analysis can verify composition. Because the peptide is short and hydrophilic, it elutes early on many reverse-phase columns, so method development often requires ion-pairing reagents to achieve adequate retention and resolution from related impurities.
Laboratory work has examined effects on telomerase activity in cultured cells, on melatonin rhythms in animals, and on markers of oxidative stress. Some experiments report measurable changes while others show none, and the reported findings rest largely on small studies. The absence of large independent trials means the generality of these results is unresolved rather than settled. Review articles occasionally apply the label geroprotector, a term that reflects a research hypothesis about ageing rather than an established clinical finding.
Epitalon is the common name for a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence alanine-glutamate-aspartate-glycine, usually abbreviated AEDG. All four residues are proteinogenic amino acids, and the free peptide has a calculated mass near 390 grams per mole. Because the chain is short and carries no modifications, it is assembled readily by solid-phase synthesis and is distributed mainly as a freeze-dried solid for laboratory work. Catalogue listings use the spellings epitalon, epithalone, and simply AEDG, and the three refer to the same sequence.
The most widely cited claim is that epitalon activates telomerase and thereby extends telomere length. Supporting evidence comes largely from cultured human cells, where treatment was associated with increased telomerase activity and delayed replicative senescence. Telomerase activation is a biologically consequential effect, since the enzyme is largely silenced in most somatic cells. However, the route by which a short peptide would reach and act on the enzyme's regulatory machinery has not been established. Independent replication in human trials is scarce, so the link between cell-culture observations and whole-body aging remains an open question.
Human data are limited to small studies, often without the randomization, blinding, or control groups expected in contemporary clinical research. Reported outcomes have included changes in melatonin levels, immune markers, and subjective measures, but sample sizes were generally too small to support firm conclusions. Some reviews treat the peptide as promising while noting methodological weaknesses; others question whether the observed effects are specific. The compound is frequently discussed in longevity-focused communities, where enthusiasm often outpaces the published evidence. Separating established findings from speculation is therefore important when reading summaries of this research.
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Smaller mass analyzers require smaller control system to generate adequate electric field and magnetic field strength, which are two fundamental fields separating ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Because a compact circuit can generate a high electric field, decreasing the size of the voltage-generating system does not significantly affect to the miniaturization of time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF) and electric sectors which use only the electric field to separate ions. In principle, the electromagnetic field mainly depends on the shape of the mass analyzers. As a result, a smaller magnet fitting with small size MS reduces the system weight significantly. In practice, when reducing the size, the geometries of mass analyzer are distorted. For example, smaller volume in ion trap leads to lower trapping capacity and therefore results in a loss of resolution and sensitivity. However, by utilizing tandem MS resolution and selectivity can be greatly enhanced in complex mixtures. In general, beam-type mass analyzers, such as TOF and sector mass analyzers, are much larger than ion trap type such as Paul trap, Penning trap or Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR). Additionally, ion trap mass analyzers can be used to perform multistage MS/MS in a single device. As a result, ion traps are received dominant attention for building a MMS.
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Sources: en.wikipedia.org
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In a multicellular organism, an organ is a collection of tissues joined in a structural unit to serve a common function. In the hierarchy of life, an organ lies between tissue and an organ system. Tissues are formed from same type cells to act together in a function. Tissues of different types combine to form an organ which has a specific function. The intestinal wall, for example, is formed by epithelial tissue and smooth muscle tissue. Two or more organs working together in the execution of a specific body function form an organ system, also called a biological system or body system. An organ's tissues are broadly classified into parenchyma, the functional tissue, and stroma, the structural tissue with supportive, connective, or ancillary functions. For example, the gland tissue that produces hormones is the parenchyma, while the stroma includes the nerves that innervate the parenchyma, the blood vessels that oxygenate and nourish it and remove metabolic wastes, and the connective tissues that provide structure, placement, and anchoring. The primary tissues that form an organ generally have common embryologic origins, often arising from the same germ layer. Organs are present in most multicellular organisms. In single-celled organisms such as eukaryotes, the functional analogue of an organ is an organelle. In plants, there are three main organs. The number of organs in any organism depends on the definition used. There are approximately 79 organs in the human body; the exact number remains debated.
Once the magnetic particles are functionalized, they are dispersed in a cell mixture where they bind to only the cells of interest. The resulting cell/particle mixture can then be flowed through a microfluidic device with a magnetic field to separate the targeted cells from the rest. Conversely, microfluidic-assisted magnetophoresis may be used to facilitate efficient mixing within microdroplets or plugs. To accomplish this, microdroplets are injected with paramagnetic nanoparticles and are flowed through a straight channel which passes through rapidly alternating magnetic fields. This causes the magnetic particles to be quickly pushed from side to side within the droplet and results in the mixing of the microdroplet contents. This eliminates the need for tedious engineering considerations that are necessary for traditional, channel-based droplet mixing. Other research has also shown that the label-free separation of cells may be possible by suspending cells in a paramagnetic fluid and taking advantage of the magneto-Archimedes effect. While this does eliminate the complexity of particle functionalization, more research is needed to fully understand the magneto-Archimedes phenomenon and how it can be used to this end. This is not an exhaustive list of the various applications of microfluidic-assisted magnetophoresis; the above examples merely highlight the versatility of this separation technique in both current and future applications.
Xi describes such areas as "new frontiers", and they include policy areas such as space, deep sea, polar regions, the Internet, nuclear safety, anticorruption, and climate change. Xi has put an emphasis on increasing China's "international discourse power" (国际话语权) to create a more favorable global opinion of China in the world. In this pursuit, Xi has emphasised the need to "tell China's story well", meaning expanding China's external propaganda (外宣) and communications. Xi has expanded the focus and scope of the united front, which aims to consolidate support for CCP in non-CCP elements both inside and outside China, and has accordingly expanded the United Front Work Department.
Adenylylation, more commonly known as AMPylation, is a process in which an adenosine monophosphate (AMP) molecule is covalently attached to the amino acid side chain of a protein. This covalent addition of AMP to a hydroxyl side chain of the protein is a post-translational modification. Adenylylation involves a phosphodiester bond between a hydroxyl group of the molecule undergoing adenylylation, and the phosphate group of the adenosine monophosphate nucleotide (i.e. adenylic acid). Enzymes that are capable of catalyzing this process are called AMPylators.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
== History == 4-HO-DPT was first described in the scientific literature by David Repke and colleagues in 1977. Subsequently, it was described in further detail by Alexander Shulgin in his 1997 book TiHKAL (Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved). The drug was encountered as a novel designer drug in Europe in 2012.
=== Bibliography === Jamaluddin, Ahmad Badawi (2007). PENGGUNAAN UBATAN TRADISIONAL DI PASAR TAMU DAN PASAR BESAR DAERAH TAWAU, SABAH: SATU TINJAUAN [USE OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN WEEKLY MARKET AND MAIN MARKET IN TAWAU DISTRICT, SABAH: A REVIEW] (PDF). Conservation Biology Program School of Science and Technology (Thesis) (in Malay). pp. 1–27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025 – via Universiti Malaysia Kelantan. Kustiariyah (2007). "TERIPANG SEBAGAI SUMBER PANGAN DAN BIOAKTIF" [SEA CUCUMBER AS A FOOD AND BIOACTIVE SOURCE]. Indonesian Journal of Aquatic Product Technology [Buletin Teknologi Hasil Perikanan] (in Indonesian). X (1): 1–8. Archived from the original on 1 June 2025. Damaiyanti, Dian Widya (2015). "Karakterisasi Esktrak Air Teripang Emas (Stichopus hermanii)" [Characterization Of Water Extract Gold Sea Cucumber (Stichopus hermanii)]. Denta (Jurnal Kedokteran Gigi) (in Indonesian). 9 (1): 1–8. ISSN 1907-5987. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Text is licensed by DENTA (Journal Kedokteran Gigi) under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Vaitilingon, Devarajen; Smith, Stuart; Watson, Guy; Miller, Tim; Alattas, Syed; Ong Hock, Keat; Zainoddin, Jamari; Zaidnuddin, Ilias; Azhar, Hamzah (2016). "Sea cucumber hatchery seed production in Malaysia: From research and development, to pilot-scale production of the sandfish Holothuria scabra" (PDF). SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin (36): 67–75. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2021 – via Sustainable Aquaculture Research & Development (Mauritius).
Aflatoxin B1 and B2 (AFB), produced by A. flavus and A. parasiticus Aflatoxin G1 and G2 (AFG), produced by some Group II A. flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), metabolite of aflatoxin B1 in humans and animals (exposure in ng levels may come from a mother's milk) Aflatoxin M2, metabolite of aflatoxin B2 in milk of cattle fed on contaminated foods Aflatoxicol (AFL): metabolite produced by breaking down the lactone ring Aflatoxin Q1 (AFQ1), major metabolite of AFB1 in in vitro liver preparations of other higher vertebrates AFM, AFQ, and AFL retain the possibility of becoming an epoxide. Nevertheless, they appear much less capable of causing mutagenesis than the unmetabolized ABM.
=== Chemical descriptor based === In this approach, descriptors quantifying various electronic, geometric, or steric properties of a molecule are computed and used to develop a QSAR. This approach is different from the fragment (or group contribution) approach in that the descriptors are computed for the system as whole rather than from the properties of individual fragments. This approach is different from the 3D-QSAR approach in that the descriptors are computed from scalar quantities (e.g., energies, geometric parameters) rather than from 3D fields. An example of this approach is the QSARs developed for olefin polymerization by half sandwich compounds.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No. Epithalamin is a peptide-containing extract of bovine pineal glands, while epitalon is a single synthetic tetrapeptide. The extract contains many peptides and other tissue components, so its composition varies between batches in ways that a synthesised sequence does not.
It is not recognised as an endogenous peptide hormone. The four-residue sequence can appear inside larger proteins and in digestive fragments of dietary protein, but no dedicated pathway producing it as a signalling molecule has been identified.
Several cell-culture reports describe increased telomerase activity after treatment, measured by enzyme assays or by transcript levels. Results differ between cell types and laboratories, and measured telomere lengthening has been reported in some studies but not in others, which leaves the physiological relevance open.
The usual approach is reversed-phase HPLC with ultraviolet detection, reported as a percentage of total peak area. Mass spectrometry is used alongside chromatography to confirm identity rather than purity alone.