Research

Epitalon (AEDG) Explained: the Tetrapeptide, Its Mass and How to Verify a Batch

3 min read · Research blog · 12 Nov 2026 · By CellMind Research Team

Epitalon, also written Epithalon, is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG). Its molecular mass is 390.35 Da, which makes it one of the smallest research peptides. This guide explains where it comes from, what the literature covers and how to verify a batch.

Key facts

Type: Synthetic tetrapeptide (four amino acids)
Sequence: Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG)
Molecular formula: C14H22N4O9
Molecular mass: 390.35 Da
CAS number: 307297-39-8
Supplied as: lyophilized powder in a sealed vial

What is Epitalon

Epitalon was designed in Russia as a synthetic counterpart of epithalamin, a peptide extract of the pineal gland. It is a chain of only four amino acids: alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and glycine. Two of the four carry an acidic side chain, so the peptide is small, very polar and dissolves readily in water.

What the scientific literature covers

Published work was carried out mainly in cell cultures and animal models. The main topics are:

Telomerase activity and telomere length in human cell cultures
Pineal gland function and melatonin in animal models
Gene expression in aging cell cultures
Lifespan observations in rodent and insect models

Much of this work comes from one research group and has not yet been widely repeated by others. These are laboratory findings. CellMind supplies Epitalon for research purposes only, not for human use.

How identity and purity are verified

Because Epitalon is so small and polar, it elutes early on reversed-phase HPLC, close to salts and solvent, so the method must be set up to retain it. Mass spectrometry confirms the mass of 390.35 Da. For a peptide this small, a shortened by-product missing a single amino acid is easy to see in the mass spectrum. Both results must appear on the certificate of analysis (CoA) for the specific batch. Our CoA guide explains how to read one.

Checklist before buying Epitalon

A CoA for the specific batch
HPLC purity stated as a number, above 99%
Mass of 390.35 Da confirmed on the report
A clearly stated amount per vial (10 mg)
A batch number on the vial that matches the report

Common questions about Epitalon

Are Epitalon, Epithalon and AEDG the same thing?

Yes. Epitalon and Epithalon are two spellings of the same name, and AEDG is the one-letter code of its sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly.

Is Epitalon the same as epithalamin?

No. Epithalamin is an extract of the pineal gland that contains a mixture of peptides. Epitalon is a single, chemically defined tetrapeptide made by synthesis.

What mass should an Epitalon report show?

390.35 Da for the free peptide. Salt forms weigh more, so the report should state which form was measured.

Storage and handling

Keep lyophilized vials in a cool, dark place. After reconstitution the solution should be refrigerated and used within the planned study period. Avoid repeated temperature changes: they are the most common cause of degradation that nobody notices until results stop matching.