Melatonin vs Epitalon
Melatonin is the hormone the pineal gland makes; epitalon is a synthetic peptide studied for effects on pineal function and telomerase.
Melatonin
The pineal hormone that signals darkness to the body clock — one of the most-trialled sleep and circadian compounds.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Nootropic & neuro
Read the cited profile →
Epitalon
Epitalon (epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) modelled on the pineal peptide epithalamin.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Telomerase and pineal-ageing models
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Side by side · to buy
Price, purity and dispatch
| Compare | Melatonin | Epitalon10mg |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | R549 |
| Cost per mg | — | R54.9 / mg |
| Purity (Janoshik) | — | On request |
| Stock | — | Restocking |
| Dispatch | — | When restocked |
| Certificate | — | Request CoA |
| Literature | — | 4 papers → |
| Research focus | Nootropic & neuro | Telomerase and pineal-ageing models |
| Read the cited profile | Notify me |
Prices are read live from the catalogue. Cost per mg is the vial price over its stated mg. Purity is shown only where the certificate is published. Every compound is supplied for laboratory research only.
SIDE BY SIDE
| Melatonin | Epitalon | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | The pineal hormone itself | Tetrapeptide studied for pineal function |
| Class | Nootropic & neuro | Bioregulators |
| Mechanism | Melatonin acts on MT1/MT2 receptors to shift circadian timing and promote sleep onset; it is also a direct antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule in research models. | Epitalon (epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) modelled on the pineal peptide epithalamin. |
| Status | Registered medicine in some countries (prolonged-release forms) and a supplement in others; supported by several meta-analyses of randomised trials. | A synthetic tetrapeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator programme; not an approved medicine. |
| Reported safety signals | Meta-analyses report a favourable short-term safety profile; dose and timing strongly affect results. | Human data are limited to small studies, mostly from one research group. |
| A key study | A meta-analysis of randomised trials assessed melatonin’s effect on sleep quality. (J Neurol 2022, PMID 33417003) | In cultured human somatic cells, epithalon induced telomerase activity and elongation of telomeres. (Bull Exp Biol Med 2003, PMID 12937682) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
Melatonin has the clinical data; epitalon is a bioregulator research tool. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [Melatonin] Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — J Neurol 2022. PMID 33417003
- [Melatonin] Optimizing the Time and Dose of Melatonin as a Sleep-Promoting Drug: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis — J Pineal Res 2024. PMID 38888087
- [Melatonin] Efficacy of melatonin for chronic insomnia: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses — Sleep Med Rev 2022. PMID 36179487
- [Epitalon] Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells — Bull Exp Biol Med 2003. PMID 12937682
- [Epitalon] Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell — Bull Exp Biol Med 2004. PMID 15455129
- [Epitalon] Effect of regulatory peptides on gene transcription — Bull Exp Biol Med 2003. PMID 14666197
FREQUENTLY ASKED
What is the difference between Melatonin and Epitalon?
Melatonin is the hormone the pineal gland makes; epitalon is a synthetic peptide studied for effects on pineal function and telomerase.
What is the regulatory status of Melatonin and Epitalon?
Melatonin: Registered medicine in some countries (prolonged-release forms) and a supplement in others; supported by several meta-analyses of randomised trials. Epitalon: A synthetic tetrapeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator programme; not an approved medicine.
What safety signals have been reported?
Melatonin: Meta-analyses report a favourable short-term safety profile; dose and timing strongly affect results. Epitalon: Human data are limited to small studies, mostly from one research group.
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For Melatonin: “Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” (PMID 33417003); “Optimizing the Time and Dose of Melatonin as a Sleep-Promoting Drug: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis” (PMID 38888087); “Efficacy of melatonin for chronic insomnia: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses” (PMID 36179487). For Epitalon: “Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells” (PMID 12937682); “Peptide promotes overcoming of the division limit in human somatic cell” (PMID 15455129); “Effect of regulatory peptides on gene transcription” (PMID 14666197).
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All products supplied for research purposes only. Not for human consumption.
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