Pinealon
/ Synthetic tetrapeptide; Khavinson-tradition pineal bioregulator; sequence shared with EpitalonALIAS · Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly · AEDG · Pineal bioregulator (Khavinson)
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Tier 4. Russian-origin literature from the Khavinson peptide-bioregulator tradition, primarily from a single research group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology and collaborators. The published amino-acid sequence (AEDG) is identical to Epitalon — vendor product nomenclature varies, and some sources distinguish Pinealon from Epitalon by salt form or preparation rather than by sequence. No Western independent replication of the principal claims; no Phase 2/3 trials by Western regulatory standards.
The proposed mechanism in the Khavinson literature is direct DNA binding by the short tetrapeptide to specific gene-promoter regions, with downstream effects on telomerase expression, pineal melatonin synthesis, and age-related gene-expression patterns. The mechanism is not established by independent Western pharmacology; the molecular basis for sequence-specific DNA binding by an unmodified tetrapeptide is not consistent with mainstream nucleic-acid biochemistry, and the claims have not been independently replicated.
Tier 4. Russian-language and Russian-origin English-language publications report effects on rodent lifespan, melatonin rhythms, and cognitive measures in aging models. Primary research output concentrated in journals associated with the Khavinson group; independent Western replication is essentially absent.
No formal Western safety database. The Khavinson literature reports no significant toxicity in rodent studies at the doses used; this does not substitute for a structured Phase 1 evaluation.
Regulatory status
- FDA status:
- Not FDA-approved
The principal gaps are nomenclature confusion with Epitalon (same AEDG sequence; vendor branding and salt-form differences are inconsistent across suppliers), single-tradition dominance (Khavinson group), and the absence of independent Western replication for the foundational telomerase and lifespan claims. Vendor-sold Pinealon and Epitalon material is rarely characterised as to identity, purity, or sterility to clinical-grade standards. The Open Assay Epitalon page covers the same sequence and contains the relevant literature in greater depth.