Pinealon
Short synthetic peptide bioregulator (tripeptide)
A short synthetic tripeptide studied in neuroprotection and cellular-aging research.
Also referenced as: EDR peptide, Glu-Asp-Arg
Overview
Pinealon is a synthetic short peptide (peptide bioregulator) developed within the Russian school of peptide bioregulator research associated with the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.
At a glance
What Pinealon does
Pinealon is a short peptide bioregulator (the tripeptide Glu-Asp-Arg, EDR) from the Khavinson school of "cytogenic" peptides developed in St. Petersburg. What it does in research is act as a neuroprotective agent: in cell and animal models it reduces oxidative damage, improves neuronal survival under stress such as hypoxia, and helps preserve neuroplasticity and cognitive-relevant structure. It is grouped conceptually with, but distinct from, Epithalon (AEDG), which is aimed more at the pineal/melatonin axis; Pinealon is framed as targeting neural tissue.
The proposed mechanism is pharmacologically unusual and not fully proven: these short peptides are hypothesized to penetrate cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier and interact directly with neuronal chromatin/DNA, modulating gene expression in a tissue-specific way. Downstream, published studies report that Pinealon suppresses reactive oxygen species in cerebellar granule cells in a dose-dependent manner, upregulates antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase-2 and glutathione peroxidase-1, reduces caspase-3 activity (an apoptosis marker) in aged or hypoxic rat brain, and prevents dendritic spine loss in an Alzheimer's mouse model.
The caveats are significant. The evidence consists of in-vitro assays, rodent ischemia/hypoxia experiments, and mouse disease models, and it originates overwhelmingly from the same research lineage that developed the compound. The proposed direct DNA-binding mechanism has not been independently and rigorously established, and there are no substantial Western human clinical trials, so its effects should be regarded as preclinical.
Effects reported in research
- Dose-dependent suppression of reactive oxygen species in cultured cerebellar granule cells (in-vitro).
- Upregulation of antioxidant enzymes SOD2 and glutathione peroxidase-1 in brain tissue (animal).
- Reduced caspase-3 (apoptosis-marker) activity in aged rat brain during hypoxia (animal).
- Improved neuronal survival under hypoxic/ischemic stress (animal/in-vitro).
- Prevention of dendritic spine loss in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model (animal).
- Proposed direct interaction with neuronal chromatin to modulate tissue-specific gene expression (hypothesized, not firmly established).
- Preservation of neuroplasticity and cognitive-relevant structure in stressed models (animal).
- Evidence is preclinical and largely single-lineage; no substantial independent human trials.
Effects listed reflect findings reported in the research literature — many in animal or in-vitro models. Listing an effect is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication in humans.
Mechanism of action
Pinealon is a short peptide reported in the Russian bioregulator literature to have neuroprotective and gene-regulatory effects, with proposed activity related to modulation of gene expression in neuronal cells. Its detailed molecular mechanism is not well established outside of this research tradition, and independent Western validation is limited.
Mechanistic description reflects published research-literature understanding. Much peptide research is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model); mechanism in humans may differ and is not established for many compounds.
What it's studied for
Research contexts in which Pinealon appears in the literature. Listing a research area is not a claim of efficacy or a therapeutic indication.
Key characteristics
- A very short (tripeptide) synthetic peptide bioregulator
- Part of the Russian short-peptide bioregulator research tradition
- Proposed neuroprotective and gene-expression-modulating effects
- Independent, large-scale clinical validation is lacking
- Research-only; not an approved therapeutic in Western regulatory frameworks
Reported research dosing reference only
Educational reference, not dosing guidance. The figures below summarize amounts reported in published research and research-community protocols, provided for educational and research context only. They are not medical advice, not a recommendation, and not instructions for human use. Pinealon is a research compound.
Community protocols commonly reference short cycled courses of roughly 10-20 mg/day (oral bioregulator format) over 2-4 weeks, but these are not anchored to independent human trials. These are reference figures for research context only, not human dosing guidance.
- Community oral-course reference: ~10-20 mg/day, cycled ~20-30 days
Very short tripeptide; no robust independent human PK/half-life; evidence is mostly from the originating research group
How it compares
Pinealon belongs to the ultra-short peptide bioregulator category, unlike the longer or growth-factor-derived peptides elsewhere in this class.
Commonly studied alongside
Compounds frequently researched together with Pinealon in the literature. Cross-referenced for research context — not a usage or combination recommendation.
Compare and calculate
Side-by-side pages for the pairings the literature already documents for Pinealon, plus the unit-conversion reference for a reconstituted vial. Factual comparisons of documented characteristics — not a recommendation to combine or use any compound.
Pinealon reconstitution calculator → Concentration, volume per measured amount and syringe units for a stated vial mass and diluent volume. A unit-conversion reference, not a dosing recommendation.
Handling & Stability
Lyophilized peptides are stored cold, protected from light, and reconstituted only at the time of intended in-vitro work.
- Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Verify supplier lot and Certificate of Analysis
- Follow institutional lab-safety protocols
Analytical & COA Concepts
Reputable research suppliers publish a third-party Certificate of Analysis per batch. Key analytical concepts referenced in COAs include:
Category Context
Pinealon sits in the Cognitive & Nootropic area of the PeptiDex library.
- Entry type: Research compound reference
- Cognitive & Nootropic category hub →
- Browse the full library →
- Glossary of terms →
Where researchers source Pinealon
For researchers studying Pinealon, third-party suppliers such as Practically Natty Peptides offer research-grade material, third-party tests every batch and provides Certificates of Analysis on request, and ship from the US.
View research-supplier listing →
Outbound link to a third-party research supplier. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement; all editorial content is developed independently.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pinealon (EDR)?
Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide with the sequence Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR), part of the Khavinson family of short peptide bioregulators developed in St. Petersburg. It is studied in preclinical models for neuroprotective and gene-regulatory effects on neuronal cells.
What is the proposed mechanism of Pinealon?
Ultra-short peptides like Pinealon are hypothesized to act not through cell-surface receptors but by penetrating cells and interacting with DNA regulatory regions to modulate gene expression. In preclinical reports EDR is described as activating expression of proteins that support neuronal function and reducing apoptosis.
What is a peptide bioregulator?
Peptide bioregulator is the term used by the Khavinson research group for very short peptides (typically two to four amino acids) proposed to regulate tissue-specific gene expression. This framework is described in their published reviews, though it remains outside mainstream mechanistic consensus and rests largely on their own body of work.
What is the evidence base for Pinealon?
Evidence is preclinical (in vitro and animal) and comes predominantly from the Khavinson group, focusing on neuroprotection and gene-expression modulation. There are no large independent human clinical trials, so claims should be interpreted cautiously.
How is Pinealon used in research protocols?
Community and vendor protocols reference short oral courses, and injectable lyophilized preparations also exist for research handling. Because the compound is a very short tripeptide, protocol figures vary and are not anchored to robust independent human trials.
Answers are educational summaries of research-literature context and do not constitute medical advice. See the Research Library, COA guide, and Storage & Handling guide for more.
References
Primary literature indexed in PubMed for Pinealon. Listing a study records that it exists and is indexed — it is not a claim of efficacy, a therapeutic indication, or an endorsement of its conclusions. Much of this literature is preclinical (in-vitro or animal-model).
- Pinealon increases cell viability by suppression of free radical levels and activating proliferative processes
- EDR Peptide: Possible Mechanism of Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Regulation Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease
Each reference was checked against its PubMed record on 2026-07-28: the PMID resolves and the title, journal and year match. Where no indexed literature exists for a compound, PeptiDex says so rather than substituting a citation about a different molecule. See the editorial policy.