Epithalon (Epitalon, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly)
A four-residue synthetic peptide, CAS 307297-39-8, 390.35 Da. Short enough that its identity is settled by a single mass match — and small enough that a bad synthesis shows up immediately as a shoulder on the main peak.
Pricing and pack sizes
| Size | Cat. no. | Pack | Price per kit | Per vial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | ET10 | 10 vials | $40.00 | $4.00 |
| 40 mg | ET40 | 10 vials | $115.00 | $11.50 |
| 50 mg | ET50 | 10 vials | $145.00 | $14.50 |
Prices are in USD and are per kit of 10 vials — not per vial. Both figures are shown so the two can be compared directly; a "per vial" price quoted without saying so is how the same material ends up looking ten times cheaper than it is.
Larger quantities, mixed kits and custom synthesis are quoted on request. Current lot documentation accompanies every quotation.
Monograph
| Compound | Epithalon (Epitalon) — synthetic pineal tetrapeptide |
|---|---|
| CAS Registry Number | 307297-39-8 |
| Molecular Formula | C14H22N4O9 |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 390.35 Da |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG) |
| Residue Count | 4, linear, unmodified termini |
| Purity | ≥ 99.0% (RP-HPLC, UV 220 nm) |
| Identity Confirmation | ESI-MS, theoretical mass match |
| Available pack sizes | 10 mg, 40 mg, 50 mg — supplied as 10 vials per kit |
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilized cake or powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water and aqueous buffers |
| Storage (lyophilized) | −20 °C, desiccated, protected from light |
| Documentation | Lot-specific COA with HPLC chromatogram and MS spectrum |
What Epithalon is
Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, derived from the pineal peptide preparation epithalamin. Four residues is close to the practical lower limit for a peptide that still has a meaningful three-dimensional shape — and it makes the molecule unusually easy to characterise, which cuts both ways: a clean HPLC trace and a matching mass are strong evidence, and equally, a trace that is not clean is hard to explain away.
The peptide carries a net negative charge at neutral pH (two acidic residues against no basic ones), which is why it elutes early on a standard C18 gradient and why ion-pairing reagents change its retention more than they would for a neutral peptide. If you are transferring a method from another supplier, expect to re-optimise the gradient — the retention time will not carry over.
Both termini are free: no acetylation, no amidation. That removes the usual ambiguity about which form was shipped, and means a single deconvoluted mass at 390.35 Da is sufficient for identity.
Research context
The following summarises mechanisms reported in preclinical and in-vitro literature. It is provided for scientific orientation only and does not describe any approved or established clinical application.
Telomerase and replicative senescence
The most-cited line of work reports increased telomerase catalytic subunit activity and elongation of telomeres in cultured human somatic cells exposed to the peptide. This is a striking claim and should be read with care: the bulk of it comes from a small number of laboratories, and independent replication in Western journals is limited.
Pineal extract lineage
Epithalon was designed as a synthetic analogue of epithalamin, a bovine pineal peptide preparation studied in the former Soviet Union from the 1970s. That lineage explains both the volume of Russian-language literature and the near-absence of Western phase trials.
Antioxidant and gene-expression observations
Several in-vitro studies report modulation of antioxidant enzyme expression and changes in chromatin-associated markers in fibroblast cultures. These are descriptive observations at the cell level, not evidence of an organism-level effect.
Note on evidence status
Epithalon is not an approved medicine in any jurisdiction. The published record is predominantly in-vitro and rodent, with a concentration of work from a single research tradition. Treat mechanism claims accordingly.
Analytical verification
- Purity — RP-HPLC. C18 column, gradient acetonitrile/water with 0.1% TFA, UV at 220 nm. Main-peak area percentage, acceptance ≥ 99.0%.
- Identity — ESI-MS. Deconvoluted mass against theoretical 390.35 Da. With a molecule this small, a mass error that would be acceptable on a 2 kDa peptide is not acceptable here — the tolerance is tight because the mass itself is small.
- Counter-ion and water content. Short acidic peptides are hygroscopic and are typically supplied as the acetate salt. Both are reported on the COA, because a peptide content figure without them overstates how much peptide is actually in the vial.
Look up your lot in the COA registry for the chromatogram and mass spectrum of the specific batch.
Preparing a standard solution
For preparing calibration standards for instrumental analysis. Not a preparation guide for any biological or human application.
- Equilibrate the sealed vial to room temperature before opening.
- Dissolve in sterile deionised water; the peptide is freely soluble and needs no co-solvent.
- Swirl, do not vortex.
- Prepare fresh. Four-residue peptides hydrolyse faster than longer ones — do not hold aqueous stocks.
- Avoid repeated freeze–thaw. Aliquot once, store at −20 °C or below.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sequence of Epithalon?
Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly — four residues, written AEDG, monoisotopic mass 390.35 Da.
Is Epithalon the same as Epitalon?
Yes. Epithalon and Epitalon are two transliterations of the same compound, CAS 307297-39-8.
Why does Epithalon elute so early on HPLC?
It carries a net negative charge at neutral pH — two acidic residues and no basic ones. On a standard C18 gradient with 0.1% TFA it retains weakly compared with neutral or basic peptides.
What purity do you guarantee?
≥ 99.0% by RP-HPLC per released lot. The measured value for your lot appears on its certificate of analysis.
Do you report peptide content and counter-ion?
Yes. Short acidic peptides are hygroscopic and usually supplied as the acetate salt. The COA reports peptide content, counter-ion and water content alongside HPLC purity — a purity figure alone overstates how much peptide is in the vial.
What pack sizes are available?
10 mg, 40 mg and 50 mg vials, supplied as 10 vials per kit. Prices per kit are listed on this page; larger or mixed orders are quoted on request.
How should lyophilized Epithalon be stored?
−20 °C, desiccated, protected from light — stable for 24 months from the assay date. Ambient is acceptable during transit only.
Is Epithalon approved for human use?
No. It is not approved as a medicine, food, cosmetic or veterinary product in any jurisdiction, and is supplied strictly as a reference standard for in-vitro laboratory research.
Research use only
This product is a chemical reference standard intended exclusively for in-vitro laboratory research and analytical method development. It is not a pharmaceutical, drug, food, food additive, cosmetic, or veterinary product. It has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA, EMA, MHRA, TGA, or any other regulatory authority for any human or animal application, and it must not be administered to humans or animals.