Epithalamin
Polypeptide extract from bovine pineal gland — the natural Cytomax predecessor to synthetic Epitalon. Used in Khavinson's landmark mortality study demonstrating extended lifespan in elderly cohorts.
🔬 Mechanism of Action
Epithalamin is the original natural polypeptide extract from bovine pineal gland, developed by Vladimir Khavinson at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is the Cytomax predecessor to synthetic Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly). Epithalamin contains the natural Epitalon tetrapeptide along with additional pineal-derived peptides and cofactors. Like Epitalon, it activates telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression in human somatic cells, potentially extending replicative capacity. Epithalamin modulates melatonin synthesis via AANAT (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase) gene expression in pinealocytes, restoring circadian melatonin rhythms that decline with aging. In Khavinson's landmark 15-year mortality study of elderly patients, Epithalamin + Thymalin treatment produced a 46% reduction in mortality compared to controls.
Source: PMID: 12937682
📜Background & History
Epithalamin holds a unique position in bioregulator history as the preparation used in Khavinson's most famous clinical trial — the 15-year mortality study published in 2003. In this study, elderly patients (60-80 years) receiving annual courses of Epithalamin + Thymalin showed 46% lower mortality compared to controls. Epithalamin is extracted from bovine pineal glands and is the natural multi-peptide precursor from which synthetic Epitalon (AEDG) was later isolated and characterized.
🎯 Research Use Cases
- ✓Longevity research
- ✓Telomerase activation
- ✓Circadian rhythm restoration
- ✓Melatonin production support
- ✓Anti-aging protocols
💉 Dosing Protocol
| Typical Dose | 5-10 mg IM |
| Frequency | 1× daily for 10-20 day cycles |
| Half-Life | ~3 hours |
| Common Vial Sizes | 5 mg, 10 mg |
🧪 Reconstitution Example
⚠️Safety & Considerations
Well-tolerated in long-term Russian clinical studies spanning 15+ years. Side effects minimal in published studies. The natural extract may contain batch-to-batch variability compared to synthetic Epitalon. Available in Russia as an injectable preparation.
⚡Interactions & Contraindications
Well-tolerated in long-term clinical use. May interact with exogenous melatonin supplementation. Standard injectable protocol in Russian clinical practice.
🔗Synergies & Common Stacks
Epithalamin is the natural extract, Epitalon is the purified synthetic tetrapeptide. Both target pineal function and telomerase but through slightly different compositions.
The Epithalamin + Thymalin combination is the original Khavinson longevity protocol that showed 46% mortality reduction in the 15-year study.
Epithalamin (injectable) and Endoluten (oral capsule) both originate from pineal tissue — different delivery forms of similar bioactive peptides.