Pinealon is three amino acids long, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine, and it comes from the same St. Petersburg research programme that produced Epitalon. Its literature is small and mostly Russian, but it is specific: cell studies on oxidative stress and a handful of rodent experiments. Its developers cite small clinical reports, but we found no peer-reviewed controlled trial in people.
This guide covers what Pinealon is, what each line of research found, what is missing, and what to check before ordering research-grade Pinealon in Canada.
The short answer
- Pinealon is the synthetic tripeptide Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR), one of the short peptides developed by Vladimir Khavinson’s group in St. Petersburg.
- In cultured nerve and immune cells it reduced reactive oxygen species and cell death, at concentrations far lower than the antioxidant dipeptide carnosine.
- In rats it made brain neurons more resistant to oxidative stress after low-oxygen exposure, and it improved cognitive function in the offspring of mothers with high homocysteine.
- Almost all of this comes from one research network, and we found no peer-reviewed controlled trial of Pinealon in people.
- Research-grade Pinealon is a laboratory reagent, not a medicine or supplement.
Pinealon
Glu-Asp-Arg, often abbreviated EDR.
- E
- D
- R
- Formula
- C15H26N6O8, about 418.4 g/mol
- Family
- Khavinson short peptides (bioregulators)
- Research themes
- Neuronal oxidative stress, rat models of hypoxia and high homocysteine
- Human studies
- No peer-reviewed controlled trials; the developers cite small clinical reports
Where the evidence stands
- Cell studies
- Animal studies
- Human studies
- Controlled clinical trials
We found no peer-reviewed controlled trial in people.
Where Pinealon comes from
Khavinson’s group spent decades studying peptide extracts from animal glands and then designing short synthetic peptides to stand in for them. Epitalon, a four-residue peptide linked to the pineal gland, is the best known. Pinealon is shorter still: three residues, two acidic and one basic. For the theory behind the family, see our explainer on bioregulator peptides, and for its better-known sibling, our Epitalon guide.
What the studies found
- 2008Rats given Pinealon and three related short peptides before exposure to low oxygen pressure show brain neurons that are more resistant to oxidative stress.
- 2011A study in Rejuvenation Research reports that Pinealon reduced reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent way in rat cerebellar neurons, neutrophils and PC12 cells, reduced necrotic cell death and delayed activation of the ERK1/2 signalling pathway.
- 2012In pregnant rats with diet-induced high homocysteine, Pinealon improved the offspring’s cognitive performance and made their cerebellar neurons more resistant to oxidative stress.
- LaterThe same research network reports effects on learning and NMDA receptor gene expression in diabetic rats, and on dendritic spines in mouse models of Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease.
The 2012 paper notes that Pinealon worked at concentrations much lower than carnosine, a well-studied antioxidant dipeptide, which is part of why its authors think it does more than simply mop up free radicals.
Research-grade Pinealon with a batch-matched COA.
View PinealonThe gene-regulation hypothesis
Khavinson’s group proposes that very short peptides like Pinealon can enter cells and interact directly with DNA or chromatin, adjusting which genes are switched on. Molecular docking studies from the group predicted binding sites for EDR in the promoter regions of genes relevant to Alzheimer’s disease. That is an interesting idea, but it is a hypothesis built largely on computer models and the group’s own experiments. It has not been confirmed independently.
What is missing
Reasonably well established
- Pinealon’s structure, Glu-Asp-Arg, and its mass.
- Published reports of reduced oxidative stress in cultured cells.
- Published reports of neuroprotective effects in rat models.
Open questions
- Peer-reviewed controlled data in people; the developers cite only small clinical reports.
- Independent replication outside the St. Petersburg network.
- Whether the gene-regulation mechanism holds up.
Related bioregulator and neuro research peptides
Pinealon is also one of four peptides in the Illumineuro blend, alongside N-acetyl Selank, N-acetyl Semax and PE-22-28. Our nootropic peptides guide compares the whole cognitive category.
Illumineuro blendPinealon, NA Selank, NA Semax, PE-22-28View product and COA
EpitalonPineal-linked tetrapeptideView product and COA
ThymogenGlu-Trp bioregulator dipeptideView product and COA
Sourcing Pinealon in Canada
Before ordering Pinealon from any supplier, check that:
- The mass is right. Glu-Asp-Arg weighs about 418.4 g/mol. Some listings quote a different formula and mass, so compare the COA against that value. See HPLC vs mass spectrometry.
- You understand net peptide content. In a peptide this small, counter-ions left from purification can make up a meaningful share of the powder’s weight.
- The COA matches your lot. How to read a certificate of analysis walks through it.
- Storage is cold, dry and dark. See our peptide storage guide.
Research use only. Pinealon from Pure Peptides Canada is a laboratory reagent. It is not an approved drug or supplement, it is not for human or veterinary use, and nothing in this article is dosing or medical guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pinealon?
Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide, Glu-Asp-Arg, developed by Vladimir Khavinson’s group in St. Petersburg. It has been studied for effects on oxidative stress and neuron survival in cell cultures and rodent models.
What is the difference between Pinealon and Epitalon?
Both come from the same St. Petersburg research programme. Epitalon is a four-residue peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) best known for telomerase studies, while Pinealon is a three-residue peptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) studied mainly for neuronal oxidative stress.
Has Pinealon been tested in humans?
Not in any peer-reviewed controlled trial we could find. Most published research on Pinealon comes from cell cultures and rodent studies; the developers’ 2021 review cites small clinical reports, which do not establish efficacy.
How is Pinealon thought to work?
Cell studies report reduced reactive oxygen species, less cell death and delayed ERK1/2 activation. Its developers also propose that it influences gene expression by interacting with DNA, but that hypothesis has not been independently confirmed.
Is Pinealon approved in Canada?
No. Pinealon is not an authorized drug or natural health product in Canada. Pure Peptides Canada sells it strictly as a laboratory research reagent that is not for human or veterinary use.
Does Pure Peptides Canada ship Pinealon across Canada?
Yes. Orders ship tracked and discreetly across Canada, usually arriving by Xpresspost in 3–7 days, or free in 4–12 days on orders over $299, with free shipping on orders over $299.
Pinealon, tested batch by batch
Lyophilized Pinealon with an independent COA for every batch, tracked delivery across Canada and pricing in Canadian dollars.
References
- Khavinson V, Ribakova Y, Kulebiakin K, et al. Pinealon increases cell viability by suppression of free radical levels and activating proliferative processes. Rejuvenation Res. 2011.
- Arutjunyan A, Kozina L, Stvolinskiy S, et al. Pinealon protects the rat offspring from prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia. 2012. PubMed Central
- Kozina LS, et al. Regulatory peptides protect brain neurons from hypoxia in vivo. Dokl Biol Sci. 2008.
- Khavinson V, Linkova N, Kozhevnikova E, Trofimova S. EDR peptide: possible mechanism of gene expression and protein synthesis regulation involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Molecules. 2021;26(1):159. doi:10.3390/molecules26010159
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. This article summarizes published research for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.