Epitalon (Epithalon) Research Guide: Structure, COA and Handling
Epitalon (also spelled Epithalon) is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. Labs study it in telomere, telomerase and pineal-signaling research models. This page covers its structure, how it differs from N-acetyl epitalon amidate, what an epitalon certificate of analysis should show, and how to handle the lyophilized powder, using FRO Peptides’ own published lot report as the example.
Epitalon at a glance
| Other names | Epithalon, Epithalone, AEDG peptide |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), 4 amino acids |
| Molecular formula | C14H22N4O9 |
| Molecular weight | ≈ 390.35 g/mol |
| CAS number | 307297-39-8 |
| Origin | Synthetic analog designed from epithalamin, a peptide extract of the pineal gland |
| Supplied as | Lyophilized white powder in sealed vials |
| FRO vial sizes | 10mg, 50mg |
| FRO tested purity | 99.44% by HPLC (10mg, sample BPBT-CQ8N) |
Where epitalon comes from
Epitalon was developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a synthetic version of the active part of epithalamin, a polypeptide extract from bovine pineal glands. Researchers analyzed the extract’s amino acid composition and built a short peptide from it. The result is a tetrapeptide small enough to make cheaply and reproducibly, which is why it replaced the crude extract in most later lab work.
Because it is only four amino acids long, epitalon is very different from the large engineered peptides most labs buy. It has no lipid side chain or non-natural amino acids, and it dissolves readily in water. That makes it simple to handle, but it also means small amounts of a related impurity can be hard to tell apart from it unless the HPLC method is good.
Why labs study it
- Telomerase and telomere research. Published cell-culture studies report epitalon increasing telomerase activity in cultured human somatic cells, which is why it shows up in telomere-biology research.
- Pineal and melatonin signaling. Given its origin, it is used in animal models that look at pineal gland function and melatonin rhythms.
- Gene expression and chromatin studies. Some research groups use short regulatory peptides like AEDG to study how small peptides interact with DNA and chromatin.
Worth knowing: much of the published epitalon literature comes from one research group, and independent replication is limited. Treat it as an early-stage research compound, not a characterized one.
Epitalon vs. Epithalon vs. N-acetyl epitalon amidate
Epitalon and Epithalon are the same compound. The two spellings come from different transliterations, and suppliers use both.
N-acetyl epitalon amidate is a different molecule. It is the same AEDG sequence with an acetyl group on the N-terminus and an amide on the C-terminus. Those changes are meant to slow breakdown by peptidases, and they raise the molecular weight to about 431.4 g/mol. FRO Peptides sells unmodified epitalon. If your protocol calls for the acetylated, amidated form, check the identity line of any COA before you buy. A report that says “Epitalon” is not a report for N-acetyl epitalon amidate.
How to read an epitalon certificate of analysis
A COA is only useful if you know what each line proves. Here is FRO’s 10mg report (AccuMark Labs, sample code BPBT-CQ8N, received 03/30/2026, published 09/07/2026) line by line:
| Test | Result | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Epitalon, conforms | The main compound in the vial matches epitalon. |
| HPLC purity | 99.44% (spec > 98.0%) | Share of the sample that is the target peptide, measured by UV detection at 220 nm. The chromatogram shows one sharp main peak at about 1.47 minutes. A small, water-soluble tetrapeptide comes off a reversed-phase column early, so an early peak is expected. |
| Quantity | 11.52 mg measured in a 10 mg vial | How much peptide is actually in the vial. This vial held about 15% more than the label. Many COAs skip this line, but it is the one that catches underfilled vials. |
The full report, chromatogram included, is free to open in the Epitalon COA library. Match the code on your vial to the report.
What this report doesn’t cover
This report covers identity, HPLC purity and measured quantity. It does not include endotoxin, sterility or mass spectrometry results. For a peptide this small, mass spectrometry is the cleanest way to confirm the exact molecular weight of 390.35. FRO has additional third-party testing underway at Vanguard Laboratory, an ISO 17025 lab, and new results are added to the COA library as they come in.
Red flags on any supplier’s COA
- No lot or sample code, or a code that doesn’t match the vial.
- No lab name, or a lab you can’t find.
- Purity with no chromatogram.
- No measured quantity, only the label claim.
- An “epitalon” report used to sell N-acetyl epitalon amidate, or the reverse.
- The same report reused across several products or years.
Storage and handling for research use
- Lyophilized powder: store frozen (−20 °C), sealed and protected from light. Let the vial reach room temperature before opening to avoid condensation.
- Reconstitution: epitalon is water-soluble. Add bacteriostatic water slowly down the vial wall and swirl gently until clear. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out concentration for your protocol.
- After reconstitution: refrigerate at 2–8 °C, protect from light, and use within your protocol’s defined window.
- Avoid repeated freeze-thaw. If you need to store reconstituted material frozen, split it into single-use aliquots first.
Frequently asked questions
Is Epitalon the same as Epithalon?
Yes. They are two spellings of the same tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly.
Does FRO Peptides publish a COA for epitalon?
Yes. The 10mg report from AccuMark Labs, an independent lab, is published in the COA library, chromatogram included.
What purity is FRO’s epitalon?
The current 10mg lot tested at 99.44% by HPLC, against a specification of more than 98.0%, with 11.52 mg measured in the 10 mg vial.
Does FRO sell N-acetyl epitalon amidate?
No. FRO sells unmodified epitalon (AEDG). The acetylated, amidated form is a different compound with a different molecular weight.
What is the difference between the 10mg and 50mg vials?
Only the quantity of peptide. Both contain the same compound.
Is epitalon from FRO for human use?
No. FRO sells epitalon strictly for laboratory and analytical research. It is not for human or veterinary use.
View Epitalon research peptide (10mg, 50mg) →
Lot report published in the COA library. Ships next business day, FedEx 2-Day.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or cosmetic under FDA regulations. Nothing on this page is medical advice.