Thymalin vs Epitalon
Both come from the Khavinson programme. Thymalin is a thymus extract with a reported long-term elderly cohort; epitalon is a synthetic peptide derived from pineal extract (epithalamin).
Thymalin
A polypeptide extract of calf thymus used as an immunomodulatory drug in Russia; its active short peptides (e.g. Lys-Glu) are studied as bioregulators.
BEST STUDIED FOR
Bioregulators
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 | Thymalin | 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 | Bioregulators | 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
| Thymalin | Epitalon | |
|---|---|---|
| The key difference | Thymus extract | Synthetic pineal tetrapeptide |
| Class | Bioregulators | Bioregulators |
| Mechanism | Thymalin is described as restoring T-cell function and differentiation. | Epitalon (epithalon) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) modelled on the pineal peptide epithalamin. |
| Status | Registered in Russia; outside that, evidence is largely from one research school and published mostly in Russian-language or niche journals. | A synthetic tetrapeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator programme; not an approved medicine. |
| Reported safety signals | Long clinical use in Russia is reported by its developers; independent safety data are limited. | Human data are limited to small studies, mostly from one research group. |
| A key study | Reported that thymalin activated differentiation of human haematopoietic stem cells in vitro. (Bull Exp Biol Med 2020, PMID 33237528) | In cultured human somatic cells, epithalon induced telomerase activity and elongation of telomeres. (Bull Exp Biol Med 2003, PMID 12937682) |
WHEN TO RESEARCH WHICH
They show the programme’s two approaches: natural extract versus synthetic sequence. Both are discussed here strictly as research compounds; nothing on this page is medical advice or a dosing guide.
REFERENCES (PUBMED)
- [Thymalin] Thymalin: Activation of Differentiation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells — Bull Exp Biol Med 2020. PMID 33237528
- [Thymalin] The Influence of KE and EW Dipeptides in the Composition of the Thymalin Drug on Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Involved in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19 — Int J Mol Sci 2023. PMID 37686182
- [Thymalin] [Geroprotective effect of thymalin and epithalamin] — Adv Gerontol 2002. PMID 12577695
- [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 Thymalin and Epitalon?
Both come from the Khavinson programme. Thymalin is a thymus extract with a reported long-term elderly cohort; epitalon is a synthetic peptide derived from pineal extract (epithalamin).
What is the regulatory status of Thymalin and Epitalon?
Thymalin: Registered in Russia; outside that, evidence is largely from one research school and published mostly in Russian-language or niche journals. Epitalon: A synthetic tetrapeptide from the Khavinson bioregulator programme; not an approved medicine.
What safety signals have been reported?
Thymalin: Long clinical use in Russia is reported by its developers; independent safety data are limited. Epitalon: Human data are limited to small studies, mostly from one research group.
Which studies is this comparison based on?
For Thymalin: “Thymalin: Activation of Differentiation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells” (PMID 33237528); “The Influence of KE and EW Dipeptides in the Composition of the Thymalin Drug on Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Involved in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19” (PMID 37686182); “[Geroprotective effect of thymalin and epithalamin]” (PMID 12577695). 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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