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The Longevity Archive
Anti-agingResearch strength: PreliminaryEvidence: Preliminary

Epitalon

Epitalon (Epithalon, pineal tetrapeptide)

Also known as: Epithalon

A synthetic tetrapeptide studied in Russian research for telomerase activation and effects on aging biomarkers.

Overview

Epitalon is a synthetic peptide based on epithalamin, a pineal gland extract studied by Vladimir Khavinson's group. Research, largely from Russia, reports telomerase activation and effects on circadian and aging biomarkers. Independent replication is limited, so the evidence is best considered preliminary. It is not approved. Regulatory update, September 2026: the FDA removed this peptide from Category 2 of the 503A bulk-drug list in April 2026, and on July 23 to 24, 2026 the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted to recommend it for compounding against the advice of FDA scientists, who found no adequate human data. The vote is advisory; nothing changes until FDA rulemaking, and vials sold 'for research' remain unapproved drugs.

Mechanism of action

Reported to activate telomerase and normalize melatonin and circadian regulation in preclinical and small clinical studies.

Key studies & citations

  • In vitro2003

    Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells

    Khavinson group report that Epithalon added to telomerase-negative human fetal fibroblasts induced telomerase catalytic subunit expression, enzyme activity and telomere elongation; independent replication remains limited.

    Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
  • Animal2003

    Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice

    Monthly Epitalon from age 3 months did not change mean life span in 54 mice per group but increased maximum life span 12.3%, reduced chromosome aberrations and inhibited leukemia development.

    Biogerontology
  • Human2003

    Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life

    Russian and Ukrainian clinical observation of 266 elderly people over 6 to 8 years treated with Epithalamin (the pineal extract Epitalon is based on) and Thymalin, reporting lower mortality versus control; single-group evidence without independent replication.

    Neuro Endocrinology Letters
  • Review2026

    July 23-24, 2026: Meeting of the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee

    Official FDA meeting record: Epitalon (free base and acetate) was discussed on July 24, 2026 for possible inclusion on the 503A bulk drug substances list.

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Frequently asked questions

Is Epitalon proven to extend human lifespan?

No. Claims come mainly from one research group, and large independent human trials are lacking. Treat the evidence as preliminary.

Latest reading on Epitalon

Articles from the blog that cover Epitalon, newest first.

Related compounds

FOXO4-DRIThymalin