Epitalon: research summary
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. This page summarises published literature. It gives no advice on use.
What the literature covers
Epitalon (also written Epithalon) is the synthetic tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). It was developed from studies of pineal gland extracts at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.
Its published research focuses on gene expression. Papers report changes in gene and protein expression in cell models of neurogenesis, as well as DNA-microarray studies in mouse tissue. A 2025 review summarises the literature, which still comes mostly from a small number of groups.
Epitalon has a molecular weight of about 390.35 g/mol (C14H22N4O9). It is readily soluble in water, which keeps lab handling simple.
Key facts
| Epitalon | GHK-Cu | |
|---|---|---|
| CAS | 307297-39-8 | 89030-95-5 |
| Formula | C14H22N4O9 | C14H23CuN6O4+ |
| Molecular weight (g/mol) | 390.35 | 402.92 |
Source: PubChem CID 219042.
Epitalon compared with GHK-Cu
Epitalon and GHK-Cu are both very short peptides. Epitalon is a four-residue acidic peptide with no metal. GHK-Cu is a three-residue peptide complexed with copper(II). Epitalon's papers centre on gene expression, while GHK-Cu's centre on copper coordination and fibroblast matrix biology.
Full side-by-side: Epitalon vs GHK-Cu · GHK-Cu research summary
Frequently asked questions
- What is the sequence of Epitalon?
- Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), a tetrapeptide.
- Is Epitalon the same as N-acetyl Epitalon?
- No. The N-acetyl form has an acetyl group on the N-terminus, so it is a different molecule with a different molecular weight.
- How much independent research is there on Epitalon?
- There is relatively little. Most papers come from the group that developed it, and that is worth noting when citing it.
Published literature cited
- Khavinson V, Diomede F, Mironova E, Linkova N, Trofimova S, Trubiani O, Caputi S, Sinjari B. (2020). AEDG Peptide (Epitalon) Stimulates Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis during Neurogenesis: Possible Epigenetic Mechanism. Molecules. PMID 32019204 · doi:10.3390/molecules25030609
- Anisimov SV, Bokheler KR, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN. (2002). Studies of the effects of Vilon and Epithalon on gene expression in mouse heart using DNA-microarray technology. Bull Exp Biol Med. PMID 12360356 · doi:10.1023/a:1015859322630
- Araj SK, Brzezik J, Mądra-Gackowska K, Szeleszczuk Ł. (2025). Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties. Int J Mol Sci. PMID 40141333 · doi:10.3390/ijms26062691
Every citation was looked up by PMID in Europe PMC (MEDLINE) on 2026-10-14 and its title matched. Citation means the paper exists and is relevant to the compound. It does not mean the paper supports any use.