Comparison
Epitalon vs Thymogen
Both are bioregulators, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.
| Epitalon | Thymogen | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Bioregulators | Bioregulators |
| Evidence | Preliminary human | Preliminary human |
| Human trials | ~2 | ~2 |
| Half-life | Not established | Not established |
| Reported range | 100-200 mcg | 100-200 mcg |
| Frequency | Once daily for 10-20 day courses, 2-3 courses per year | Once daily for 10-20 day courses, 2-3 courses per year |
| Routes | Subcutaneous, Oral, Intramuscular | Subcutaneous, Oral, Intramuscular |
| FDA approved | No | No |
| Research use only | Yes | Yes |
| Banned in sport | No | No |
| Studied for | Longevity research, Melatonin rhythm, Telomere research | Immune function research, Infection recovery research |
| Reported side effects | Injection-site reactions, Transient fatigue | Injection-site reactions, Transient fatigue |
Epitalon
Epitalon is one of the short peptide bioregulators characterised by Vladimir Khavinson, a series of di- to tetrapeptides each associated with a specific tissue. The proposed mechanism is direct interaction with DNA promoter regions to modulate transcription of tissue-specific genes, restoring protein synthesis in ageing or damaged tissue. It is the most studied compound in the series, associated in the original work with restoration of melatonin rhythm and with telomerase activation in cell culture. Nearly all supporting work comes from a single research group and has not been independently replicated under contemporary trial standards, which is the central limitation of the entire class and should be stated on every page in it.
Thymogen
Thymogen is one of the short peptide bioregulators characterised by Vladimir Khavinson, a series of di- to tetrapeptides each associated with a specific tissue. The proposed mechanism is direct interaction with DNA promoter regions to modulate transcription of tissue-specific genes, restoring protein synthesis in ageing or damaged tissue. A dipeptide derived from thymalin, registered in Russia as an immunostimulant. Nearly all supporting work comes from a single research group and has not been independently replicated under contemporary trial standards, which is the central limitation of the entire class and should be stated on every page in it.
Epitalon vs Thymogen: common questions
What is the difference between Epitalon and Thymogen?
Both are bioregulators. Epitalon: A short peptide bioregulator directed at the pineal gland, from the Khavinson series developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Thymogen: A short peptide bioregulator directed at the thymus, from the Khavinson series developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.
Which has stronger evidence, Epitalon or Thymogen?
They sit at the same evidence level: preliminary human. Epitalon has about 2 human studies and Thymogen about 2.
Are Epitalon and Thymogen FDA approved?
Neither is FDA approved for any indication.
References
Regulatory and primary sources
- PubChem compound record (CID 219042) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
- FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
- PubChem compound record (CID 100094) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
Published literature
- Peptides and Ageing.Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2002.PubMed 12374906
- Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
- Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties.Int J Mol Sci 2025.PubMed 40141333 · doi:10.3390/ijms26062691
- Peptide Regulation of Cell Differentiation.Stem Cell Rev Rep 2020.PubMed 31808038 · doi:10.1007/s12015-019-09938-8
- Peptides: Prospects for Use in the Treatment of COVID-19.Molecules 2020.PubMed 32987757 · doi:10.3390/molecules25194389
- [Peptidergic regulation of expression of cellular aging marker proteins in buccal epithelium.].Adv Gerontol 2024.PubMed 39742404
- Artificial life extension. The epigenetic approach.Ann N Y Acad Sci 1994.PubMed 8010616 · doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.1994.tb56852.x
- Effects of pineal peptide preparation Epithalamin on free-radical processes in humans and animals.Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2001.PubMed 11335874
- Synthetic and natural immunomodulators acting as interferon inducers.Curr Pharm Des 2009.PubMed 19355963 · doi:10.2174/138161209787846847
- The First Reciprocal Activities of Chiral Peptide Pharmaceuticals: Thymogen and Thymodepressin, as Examples.Int J Mol Sci 2024.PubMed 38732260 · doi:10.3390/ijms25095042
- [Influence of peptides from pineal gland on thymus function at aging].Adv Gerontol 2010.PubMed 21510076
- [Glutoxim in the complex treatment of tuberculosis].Antibiot Khimioter 2002.PubMed 12087719
- [Current aspects of pathogenetic therapy in tuberculosis].Ter Arkh 2011.PubMed 21961327
- [Thiopoeitins in the treatment of tuberculosis].Probl Tuberk Bolezn Legk 2007.PubMed 17657963
- [Thymogen in the complex treatment of inflammatory diseases of the female genital system].Akush Ginekol (Mosk) 1992.PubMed 1476231
- [Application of ozonated perftoran in the treatment of spreaded peritonitis].Klin Khir 2014.PubMed 24923143
Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.