This is a working overview of AEDG, written for readers who want more than a one-paragraph summary but less than a textbook.
This page was last updated on 2026-07-09 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
The compound is generally described as a synthetic analogue of a fragment isolated from a pineal gland extract. Researchers associated with the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology introduced it during the 1980s and 1990s while studying short peptides from animal tissue. The original extract, called epithalamin, is a heterogeneous mixture, whereas epitalon is a single defined sequence. That distinction matters because findings reported for the extract are not automatically findings about the pure tetrapeptide, and claims about broader biological effects remain a separate question from the chemical identity described here.
Residue composition is the property that most cleanly separates verified material from mislabelled samples. Alanine, glutamate, aspartate and glycine appear in that order from the N-terminus, and the two acidic residues sit in the middle of the chain. Because the peptide is short, it can be produced by solid-phase synthesis and characterised by mass spectrometry without ambiguity. Any reported sample whose measured mass departs substantially from 390 daltons is a different compound or a degraded mixture rather than epitalon.
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide whose four residues are alanine, glutamate, aspartate and glycine, commonly abbreviated AEDG. Its molecular formula is C14H22N4O9 and its monoisotopic mass is near 390.35 daltons. The peptide carries two acidic side chains, so it is neutral to negatively charged in most aqueous buffers. Published reference summaries usually list it under both spellings, epitalon and epithalon, and treat the two names as the same material.
Identity and purity are usually assessed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, frequently near 214 nanometers where the peptide bond absorbs. Mass spectrometry, most often with electrospray ionization, confirms the observed molecular mass and helps separate the intact peptide from truncated or modified forms. Amino acid analysis or tandem mass spectrometry can establish residue order. Purity is commonly quoted as an area percentage, yet such values are method-dependent, and comparisons between laboratories require matching column, gradient and detection wavelength.
Laboratory handling begins with dissolution of the lyophilized powder in water or a suitable aqueous buffer. The dry solid is the more stable form, so stock solutions are generally prepared only when required and kept cold afterwards. Repeated freezing and thawing of a solution is avoided because it encourages aggregation and gradual loss of the intact chain. Diluents and containers are selected to limit adsorption of a short peptide onto plastic surfaces and to reduce microbial growth in aqueous preparations.
Stability depends strongly on pH, temperature and the presence of oxygen and trace metals. Cleavage of the backbone proceeds faster under neutral to alkaline conditions, whereas acidic solutions tend to slow that reaction. The aspartate and glutamate side chains can undergo deamidation or imide formation over time, generating closely related impurities. Published stability data specific to epitalon are sparse, so the usable life of a given solution is best regarded as an open question that depends on buffer composition, concentration and storage temperature.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 | Derived from the four constituent residues |
| Molecular mass | About 390.35 Da | Monoisotopic value, confirmed by mass spectrometry |
| Residue sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly | Read from the N-terminus to the C-terminus |
| Common synonyms | Epithalon; AEDG | Both forms appear in reference catalogues |
| Net charge near neutral pH | Negative | Two acidic side chains give a low isoelectric point |
The most frequently cited proposed action is induction of telomerase, the enzyme that adds repeat sequences to chromosome ends. Cell-culture work from the originating group reported higher telomerase reverse transcriptase expression and measurable telomere elongation in human somatic cells after exposure. How a four-residue peptide would reach nuclear gene regulation is not established, and no cell-surface receptor or uptake route has been identified. Additional reports describe changes in melatonin secretion, antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in aged animals, but these findings remain mechanistically unconnected to the telomerase observation.
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.
Purity assessment of peptide reagents normally relies on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A gradient of acetonitrile in water with trifluoroacetic acid, paired with a C18 stationary phase, separates the target tetrapeptide from truncated sequences and deletion analogues. Detection at 214 nanometres exploits absorbance of the peptide backbone, since the molecule contains no aromatic residue. Results are expressed as a percentage of total peak area. Values above ninety-five percent are typical for research-grade material, although reporting conventions vary between suppliers.
Identity confirmation uses mass spectrometry, usually electrospray ionisation in positive mode or matrix-assisted laser desorption. The protonated free peptide produces a signal near three hundred and ninety-one daltons, while salt adducts shift that value slightly. Tandem mass spectrometry or amino acid analysis supplies sequence-level confirmation, which a single mass measurement cannot. Peptides containing aspartate can cyclise into succinimide intermediates that hydrolyse to isoaspartate isomers of identical mass. Because those isomers are difficult to separate chromatographically, identity and purity results carry more weight when interpreted together.
Epitalon is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide with the sequence alanine-glutamate-aspartate-glycine, commonly abbreviated AEDG. Its molecular formula is C14H22N4O9, and its calculated molar mass is approximately 390.35 grams per mole. The compound is a short fragment related to a peptide fraction isolated from bovine pineal gland extracts, and it is normally supplied as a lyophilised powder intended for laboratory research. It is not a registered pharmaceutical product in most countries.
The peptide emerged from research carried out in Saint Petersburg from the late 1980s onward, where investigators searched for shorter active fragments of a pineal preparation known as epithalamin. The name epitalon was chosen to reflect that parent extract. Early reports described effects on neuroendocrine markers and on the lifespan of laboratory animals. Much of that work appeared in Russian-language journals, with English translations following later, which affects how readily the original protocols can be assessed by outside groups.
Published studies on epitalon are dominated by a small number of research groups, and independent replication in other laboratories remains limited. Proposed mechanisms include activation of telomerase and modulation of melatonin rhythms, but the evidence for either rests mainly on cell cultures and animal models. Whether the peptide produces comparable effects in humans is an open question, and the absence of large controlled trials means the literature is best read as exploratory rather than settled.
of the electron was first measured by J. J. Thomson. By doing this he showed that the electron, which was postulated before in order to explain electricity, was in fact a particle with a mass and a charge and that its mass-to-charge ratio was much smaller than the one for the hydrogen ion H+. In 1913 he measured the mass-to-charge ratio of ions with an instrument he called a parabola spectrograph. Although this data was not represented as a modern mass spectrum, it was similar in meaning. Eventually there was a change to the notation as m/e giving way to the current standard of m/z. Early in mass spectrometry research the resolution of mass spectrometers did not allow for accurate mass determination. Francis William Aston won the Nobel prize in Chemistry in 1922. "For his discovery, by means of his mass spectrograph, of isotopes, in a large number of non-radioactive elements, and for his enunciation of the Whole Number Rule." In which he stated that all atoms (including isotopes) follow a whole-number rule This implied that the masses of atoms were not on a scale but could be expressed as integers (in fact multiple charged ions were rare, so for the most part the ratio was whole as well). There have been several suggestions (e.g. the unit thomson) to change the official mass spectrometry nomenclature
=== Food safety === In 2015, the Food and Drug Administration alerted the public that products containing "cake batter" ice cream sold at Cold Stone Creamery stores may be associated with an outbreak of [salmonella] infection in several states. In response, Cold Stone Creamery has agreed to immediately remove all "cake batter" ice cream products from its stores throughout the US.
The first wave, which marked the start of the epidemic, began in the 1990s due to the push towards using opioid medications for chronic pain management and the increased promotion by pharmaceutical companies for medical professionals to use their opioid medications. During this time, around 100 million people in the United States were estimated to be affected by chronic pain. Opioids were only reserved for acute pain experienced secondary to cancer or terminal illnesses. Physicians avoided prescribing opioids for other medical conditions because of the lack of evidence supporting their use, the concern of opioids having addictive properties, and the fear of being investigated or disciplined for liberal opioid practices. A letter to the editor featured in a January 1980 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) was frequently cited to justify more liberal use of opioids in pain management, which the World Health Organization eventually supported. In addition, medical organizations began to push for more attentive physician responses to pain, referring to pain as the "fifth vital sign". This was coupled with the promotion of opioids by pharmaceutical companies which insisted that patients could not become addicted. Opioids became an acceptable treatment for a wide variety of conditions, leading to a consistent increase in opioid prescriptions. From 1990 to 1999, the total number of opioid prescriptions grew from 76 million to approximately 116 million, making them the most prescribed class of medications in the United States.
=== Early studies === Fourteen years after the first publication on its detection in 1973, 12-HHT was reported to stimulate fetal bovine aortic and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to metabolize arachidonic acid to prostaglandin I2 (PGI2 or prostacyclin), a powerful inhibitor of platelet activation and stimulator of vasodilation (see Prostacyclin synthase). 12-HHT did not, however, alter arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets. Shortly thereafter, 12-HHT was reported to inhibit the chemotaxis-blocking effect of a human monocyte-derived factor on human monocytes. 12-Oxo-HT, the immediate metabolite of 12-HHT, was reported to stimulate the chemotasis of human neutrophils and to inhibit platelet aggregation responses to various agents by stimulating platelets to raise their levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), an intracellular signal that serves broadly to inhibit platelet activation. These studies were largely overlooked; in 1998 and 2007 publications, for example, 12-HHT was regarded as either inactive or without significant biological activity. Nonetheless, this early work suggested that 12-HHT may serve as a contributor to monocyte- and neutrophil-based inflammatory responses, and that 12-oxo-HT may serve as a counterpoise to platelet aggregation responses elicited or promoted by TXA2.
Hydride-dependent reactions: in nature the ERs promote an hydride attack on the β-carbon of an activated (C═C) bond modificating its electronic density. This catalytic abilty promotes the reduction of other functional groups of a variety of non-natural subtrates, including the hydrogenation of nitro groups, activated oximes, activated alkynes, and α,β-dicarbonyls, as well as the desaturation of α,β-saturated carbonyl compounds. Hydride-independent reactions: ERs can catalyze reactions relyng on an external source of electrons to reduce the flavin cofactor, thereby initiating the reaction cycle. Otherwise, a desaturation reaction can rely on substrate reduction of flavin to promote the catalytic cycle. However not all the hydride-independent reactions mechanistically depend on the flavin cofactor or the involvement of the hydride transfer process. Some examples of these reactions are the (C═C) bond isomerization, Knoevenagel condensation, Morita–Baylis–Hillman reaction, and radical reactions.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Pentobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate typically used as a sedative, a preanesthetic, and to control convulsions in emergencies. It can also be used for short-term treatment of insomnia but has been largely replaced by the benzodiazepine family of drugs. In high doses, pentobarbital causes death by respiratory arrest. It is frequently used for veterinary euthanasia, and is used by some US states and the United States federal government for executions by lethal injection. In some countries and states, it is also used for physician-assisted suicide. Pentobarbital was developed by Ernest H. Volwiler and Donalee L. Tabern at Abbott Laboratories in 1930. The drug was widely abused beginning in the late 1930s, and it is sometimes known as "yellow jackets" due to the yellow color of Nembutal-branded capsules.
Thalassemias are a group of inherited blood disorders that manifest as the production of reduced hemoglobin. Symptoms depend on the type of thalassemia and can vary from none to severe, including death. Often there is mild-to-severe anemia (low red blood cells or hemoglobin), as thalassemia can affect the production of red blood cells and also affect how long the red blood cells live. Symptoms include tiredness, pallor, bone problems, an enlarged spleen, jaundice, pulmonary hypertension, and dark urine. A child's growth and development may be slower than normal. Thalassemias are genetic disorders. Alpha thalassemia is caused by deficient production of the alpha globin component of hemoglobin, while beta thalassemia is a deficiency in the beta globin component. The severity of alpha and beta thalassemia depends on how many of the four genes for alpha globin or two genes for beta globin are faulty. Diagnosis is typically by blood tests including a complete blood count, special hemoglobin tests, and genetic tests. Diagnosis may occur before birth through prenatal testing. Treatment depends on the type and severity. Clinically, thalassemia is classed as Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) or non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia (NTDT), since this determines the principal treatment options. TDT requires regular blood transfusions, typically every two to five weeks. TDTs include beta-thalassemia major, hemoglobin H disease, and severe HbE/beta-thalassemia. NTDT does not need regular transfusions but may require transfusion in case of an anemia crisis.
=== Controversy === In addition to Trikafta's high list price, Vertex has actively worked to prevent LMICs from accessing this drug combination. This has led to groups of patients in three countries, namely India, Ukraine and South Africa, to initiate legal and regulatory actions to compel their governments to allow for the importation or local production of low-cost generic versions of Trikafta through compulsory licensing. In 2022, the estimated cost of manufacturing a year's supply of Trikafta was US$5,700.
1993/85) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South Wessex Downs) Designation Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/86) Environmentally Sensitive Areas (South West Peak) Designation Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/87) A23 Trunk Road (London Road, Croydon) (Prescribed Routes) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/88) Higher Education (Wales) (Revocation) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/89) Combined Probation Areas (Amendment) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/92) Education (Further Education Corporations) Order 1993 (S.I. 1993/97) Friendly Societies (Insurance Business) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/98) Friendly Societies (Authorisation) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/99)
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
The party would also view winning a majority of Scotland's seats at Westminster as a mandate to begin independence negotiations. Labour suspends Andy Brown, its candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after he was found to have shared pro-Russian posts online. The Scottish Family Party launches its election manifesto, chiefly promoting family values. 20 June – Scottish Parliament authorities have launched an investigation into the potential misuse of expenses to buy postage stamps by members of the SNP in order to send letters to voters. The GMB announces a series of strikes for staff at Whyte & Mackay beginning on 24 June after staff at the whisky distillery rejected the company's latest pay offer. Police remove a group of 26 men from an EasyJet flight at Glasgow Airport over disruptive behaviour. 23 June – Scotland exit Euro 2024 at the group stage after losing 1–0 to Hungary. 24 June – Scottish wildcat kittens have been born in the Cairngorms National Park, in a "major milestone" for the conservation of the Critically Endangered species. The Scottish Conservatives launch their election manifesto, which includes plans to improve teachers' pay, cut the backlog of NHS waiting lists, and to beat the SNP. 25 June – The body of missing grandmother Hazel Nairn is identified after she went missing in floods at the River Don, near Monymusk, in November 2022. Her remains were discovered near Kemnay on 7 May. 26 June – It is announced that the results of the 2022 Scottish Census will contain a breakdown of the country's LGBTQ community for the first time.
Brown fat or brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a specialized form of adipose tissue important for adaptive thermogenesis in humans and other mammals. BAT can generate heat by "uncoupling" the respiratory chain of oxidative phosphorylation within mitochondria through tissue-specific expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). BAT is primarily located around the neck and large blood vessels of the thorax, where it may effectively act in heat exchange. BAT is robustly activated upon cold exposure by the release of catecholamines from sympathetic nerves that results in UCP1 activation. Nearly half of the nerves present in adipose tissue are sensory neurons connected to the dorsal root ganglia. BAT activation may also occur in response to overfeeding. UCP1 activity is stimulated by long chain fatty acids that are produced subsequent to β-adrenergic receptor activation. UCP1 is proposed to function as a fatty acid proton symporter, although the exact mechanism has yet to be elucidated. In contrast, UCP1 is inhibited by ATP, ADP, and GTP. Attempts to simulate this process pharmacologically have so far been unsuccessful. Techniques to manipulate the differentiation of "brown fat" could become a mechanism for weight loss therapy in the future, encouraging the growth of tissue with this specialized metabolism without inducing it in other organs. A review on the eventual therapeutic targeting of brown fat to treat human obesity was published by Samuelson and Vidal-Puig in 2020.
==== Psilocybin ==== Psilocybin has been shown in several studies to improve symptoms in people with treatment-resistant depression. In 2018 and 2019, the FDA designated psilocybin as a "breakthrough therapy" for drug-resistant depression and major depressive disorder.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It is a four-amino-acid peptide built from alanine, glutamate, aspartate and glycine in that order. Its formula is C14H22N4O9, and it is made by chemical synthesis rather than extracted from tissue. The synthetic peptide is a single defined molecule, unlike the pineal extracts it is often compared with.
No. The two spellings refer to the same tetrapeptide, and the difference reflects transliteration from Russian. Laboratories and catalogues use both forms interchangeably. The material is also indexed as AEDG, taken from the one-letter codes of its residues.
Epithalamin is a mixed preparation derived from animal pineal tissue and contains many peptides. Epitalon is one synthetic sequence chosen for study from that broader mixture. Statements about one do not transfer directly to the other.
The dry powder is typically held at -20 degrees Celsius or lower, protected from light and moisture. Allowing a sealed vial to reach room temperature before opening reduces condensation on its contents. Conditions stated on a supplier certificate of analysis take precedence over general guidance.