Research-only educational guide

Epithalon Dosage Calculator and Chart

A structured summary of the provided research guide discussing epithalon, including reported protocol structures (Russian and Ukrainian), mechanistic context (telomerase/telomeres), research findings, and safety considerations.

Epithalon Dosage Chart: Quick Breakdown

The table below summarizes the two protocol structures described in the guide as an informational reference only (not a clinical guideline).

Protocol structures described in the guide (informational reference only).
Protocol Dose Schedule Duration Cycle notes
“Russian Protocol” [2] 10 mg/day [2] Once daily at bedtime or split into twice daily (AM + bedtime) [2] 10 days [2] Up to twice per year, separated by ~4–6 months (pause at least 4 months) [2]
“Ukrainian Protocol” [2] 10 mg/dose [2] Days 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 [2] 17 days [2] Up to twice per year, separated by ~4–6 months (pause at least 4 months) [2]

The guide also notes total required amounts of 100 mg (Russian Protocol) and 50 mg (Ukrainian Protocol). [2]

What Is Epithalon?

Epithalon is described as a synthetic tetrapeptide composed of alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and glycine, derived from epithalamin, a crude polypeptide extracted from bovine pineal glands. [1]

The guide attributes early development work to Khavinson and colleagues and describes ongoing interest in longevity-related research. [1,3]

Mechanistic discussion (as summarized)

  • The guide describes epithalon as upregulating telomerase activity and promoting telomere elongation in human somatic cells (reported in cited studies). [5]
  • The guide notes that telomere/aging hypotheses are frequently discussed, and highlights limitations in available human data and cell types studied. [2,3]

Epithalon Benefits (Research Context)

The items below summarize findings discussed in the guide and its reference list. These are research findings, not clinical claims. The guide also notes that much of the epithalon/epithalamin literature has been conducted in Russia and encourages skepticism when planning studies. [1]

Chromosome aberrations (animal study)

  • A mouse study discussed in the guide reported reduced chromosome aberrations with epithalon, with melatonin not producing the same effect in that experiment. [4]

Telomerase / telomeres (cell study)

  • A study cited in the guide reported telomerase activation and telomere elongation in human somatic cells with epithalon exposure. [5]

Long-term outcomes discussed (epithalamin)

  • The guide summarizes a human study describing lower mortality and reduced rates of several age-associated conditions in epithalamin-treated elderly participants compared with controls. [6]

Melatonin production (elderly subjects)

  • A referenced study discussed in the guide reported increased melatonin production in healthy elderly participants via modulation of pineal melatonin function. [7]

Cancer / metastasis (mouse study)

  • A mouse study cited in the guide discussed slowed metastasis development from spontaneous tumors in female mice prone to reproductive organ tumors. [8]

CNS activity (intranasal; rat study)

  • A rat neocortex study cited in the guide reported neuron activity changes following intranasal administration of epitalon/epithalon. [9]

Antioxidant response (pineal peptides)

  • A cited publication discussed antioxidant properties of geroprotective pineal peptides and described stimulation of antioxidant enzyme expression (e.g., superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin). [10]

Reproductive regulation (rat study)

  • A cited study discussed melatonin and epithalon in the context of hypothalamic regulation of reproduction and lighting-regime stressors in female rats. [11]

Epithalon Side Effects / Safety Notes

The guide describes a favorable safety profile with no major side effects associated with long-term administration in the cited epithalamin trials, and highlights follow-up data including a long-term (15-year) follow-up report. [1,12]

Injection-site reactions (handling consideration)

The guide notes that subcutaneous administration may be associated with local reactions (e.g., itching, swelling, pain, inflammation) and recommends rotating sites as a best-practice approach. [2]

Any protocol design should use appropriate oversight, endpoints, and inclusion/exclusion criteria aligned to institutional requirements.

Dosage Calculator and Guide (Research Context)

The guide describes two published dosing protocols (Russian and Ukrainian) attributed to a peptide-society monograph and the work of Khavinson and colleagues. [2]

Russian Protocol (as described)

  • Total required: 100 mg [2]
  • Schedule: 10 mg daily, either once daily (single SC injection) or split into two SC injections (AM + bedtime) [2]
  • Duration: 10 days [2]
  • Cycle: Up to twice per year; each course followed by pause of at least four months [2]

Ukrainian Protocol (as described)

  • Total required: 50 mg [2]
  • Schedule: 10 mg via SC injection on days 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 [2]
  • Duration: 17 days [2]
  • Cycle: Up to twice per year; each course followed by pause of at least four months [2]

Protocol comparison (quick table)

Item Russian Protocol Ukrainian Protocol
Total dose 100 mg [2] 50 mg [2]
Schedule 10 mg/day (once at bedtime or split AM + bedtime) [2] 10 mg on days 1, 5, 9, 13, 17 [2]
Duration 10 days [2] 17 days [2]
Cycle spacing Up to twice per year, separated by ~4–6 months (pause at least 4 months) [2]

Bacteriostatic Water & Lab Supplies (Guide Summary)

The guide states that peptide handling and preparation may require a standard set of laboratory supplies (examples listed below). [2]

Category Examples listed in guide
Diluent Bacteriostatic water [2]
Syringes / needles Insulin syringes; large needles + syringes [2]
Aseptic supplies Alcohol prep pads [2]
Containers Sterile empty glass vials [2]

Always follow your lab’s aseptic technique, storage, labeling, and disposal requirements.

Dosing Discussion (Verdict Summary)

The guide characterizes epithalon/epithalamin as a pineal gland peptide with research discussing sleep/melatonin, antioxidant defense, telomerase/telomeres, and longevity-related outcomes in cited studies. [5,6,7,10,12]

The protocol structures presented here are research-summary statements and should be confined to controlled laboratory or regulated clinical research contexts.

References

  1. Epithalamin/Epithalon. (2022). Retrieved 2 May 2022, from https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Epithalamin-and-Epithalon-Cognitive-Vitality-For-Researchers.pdf
  2. Epithalon monograph final – peptidesociety.org. https://peptidesociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Epithalon-Monograph-Final.pdf (Accessed November 9, 2022).
  3. Khavinson VKh, Kuznik BI, Tarnovskaia SI, Lin'kova NS. [Peptides and CCL11 and HMGB1 as molecular markers of aging: literature review and own data]. Adv Gerontol. 2014;27(3):399-406. Russian. PMID: 25826983.
  4. Rosenfeld SV, Togo EF, Mikheev VS, Popovich IG, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN. Effect of epithalon on the incidence of chromosome aberrations in senescence-accelerated mice. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002 Mar;133(3):274-6. doi:10.1023/a:1015899003974. PMID: 12360351.
  5. Khavinson VKh, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA. Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Jun;135(6):590-2. doi:10.1023/a:1025493705728. PMID: 12937682.
  6. Khavinson VKh, Morozov VG. Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2003 Jun-Aug;24(3-4):233-40. PMID: 14523363.
  7. Korkushko OV, Khavinson VKh, Shatilo VB, Magdich LV. Effect of peptide preparation epithalamin on circadian rhythm of epiphyseal melatonin-producing function in elderly people. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2004 Apr;137(4):389-91. doi:10.1023/b:bebm.0000035139.31138.bf. PMID: 15452611.
  8. Kossoy G, Anisimov VN, Ben-Hur H, Kossoy N, Zusman I. Effect of the synthetic pineal peptide epitalon on spontaneous carcinogenesis in female C3H/He mice. In Vivo. 2006 Mar-Apr;20(2):253-7. PMID: 16634527.
  9. Sibarov DA, Vol'nova AB, Frolov DS, Nozdrachev AD. Effects of intranasal administration of epitalon on neuron activity in the rat neocortex. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2007 Nov;37(9):889-93. doi:10.1007/s11055-007-0095-3. PMID: 17955380.
  10. Kozina LS, Arutjunyan AV, Khavinson VKh. Antioxidant properties of geroprotective peptides of the pineal gland. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2007;44 Suppl 1:213-6. doi:10.1016/j.archger.2007.01.029. PMID: 17317455.
  11. Korenevsky AV, Milyutina YP, Bukalyov AV, Baranova YP, Vinogradova IA, Arutjunyan AV. [Protective effect of melatonin and epithalon on hypothalamic regulation of reproduction in female rats in its premature aging model and on estrous cycles in senescent animals in various lighting regimes]. Adv Gerontol. 2013;26(2):263-274. Russian. PMID: 28976150.
  12. Korkushko OV, Khavinson VKh, Shatilo VB, Antonyk-Sheglova IA. Peptide geroprotector from the pituitary gland inhibits rapid aging of elderly people: results of 15-year follow-up. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2011 Jul;151(3):366-9. English, Russian. doi:10.1007/s10517-011-1332-x. PMID: 22451889.

Educational content for research discussion only. Not medical advice.