Pinealon
EDR peptide · Glu-Asp-Arg · Cortagen-family bioregulator
Tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) studied for neuronal oxidative-stress protection (preclinical/Russian clinical)
Overview
Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide — glutamic acid–aspartic acid–arginine, abbreviated 'EDR' — from the family of short 'peptide bioregulators' developed within the St. Petersburg gerontology research tradition. Unlike most signaling peptides, which act at cell-surface receptors, these very short peptides are proposed to enter the cell and interact directly with DNA, nudging the expression of specific genes. Pinealon is positioned as a brain-directed member of that family and is sold both as an injectable lyophilate and as oral capsules.
The supporting evidence is a mix of preclinical work and older, mostly Russian-language clinical reports. Cell and rodent studies describe antioxidant effects, protection of neurons against hypoxic and excitotoxic stress, and restoration of dendritic-spine density, while a small human study used oral Pinealon in patients recovering from the consequences of traumatic brain injury. No large Western randomized controlled trial has been published, so its standing rests on this narrower base rather than on regulatory-grade data.
Practical dosing is course-based rather than continuous: subcutaneous protocols commonly use roughly 1–2 mg per day across a 10–20 day course, repeated a few times per year, while the oral capsule format is typically 20 mg once daily (oral bioavailability of such peptides is low, which is why the swallowed dose is much larger than the injected one). All figures here are summarized for research reference only.
Key parameters
- Dose range
- 1–2 mg/day subcutaneous; 20 mg/day oral (community)
- Frequency
- Once daily, in short courses
- Half-life
- Not formally characterized; very short in plasma (typical of small peptides)
- Route
- Subcutaneous (also oral capsules)
- Vial sizes
- 10 mg · 20 mg
- Regulatory status
- Marketed as a short-peptide 'bioregulator' rather than an approved medicine; not approved as a drug by the FDA, EMA, or other Western regulators. Research use only.
Mechanism of action
Direct gene regulation (proposed)
Short peptides of this class are proposed to penetrate the cell, reach the nucleus, and bind promoter regions of DNA, modulating transcription of target genes — including antioxidant-defense genes — rather than acting through a surface receptor.
Antioxidant / anti-excitotoxic protection
In cell and rodent models Pinealon reduces markers of oxidative stress and protects neurons against hypoxia and glutamate/excitotoxic injury, which is the basis of its proposed neuroprotective role.
Synaptic / dendritic maintenance
Preclinical work describes preservation or restoration of dendritic-spine density and neuronal viability under stress, consistent with reported effects on cognition and recovery.
Dosing protocol & phases
| Phase | Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcutaneous course (community) | 10–20 day course | ~1–2 mg once daily | Titrated across the course; courses are typically repeated 2–3 times per year rather than run continuously. |
| Oral course (community) | 10–20 day course | 20 mg once daily (single capsule) | Oral format uses a larger dose to offset low peptide bioavailability; usually taken in the morning. |
Reconstitution guide
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.
10 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration5,000 mcg/mL · 5 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 mcg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
| 1,500 mcg | 0.3 mL | 30 |
| 2,000 mcg | 0.4 mL | 40 |
Standard mix for the injectable form, covering the ~1–2 mg/day subcutaneous range.
20 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration10,000 mcg/mL · 10 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 mcg | 0.1 mL | 10 |
| 2,000 mcg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
Higher-strength mix that keeps the daily draw to a very small volume.
Reconstitution calculator
Pre-filled with Pinealon's vial sizes. Adjust the water volume and target dose to see the exact draw, with warnings for doses that are hard to measure or won't fit a syringe.
At 5,000 micrograms per millilitre, a 1,000 microgram dose is 0.2 millilitres, or 20 units on a U-100 syringe, giving 10 doses per vial.
Supplies needed
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Recommended supply
Pinealon — research vial
From our verified partner Dynotides, with a third-party certificate of analysis per batch.
Injection supplies
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Bacteriostatic water
Diluent for reconstituting lyophilized vials.
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Insulin syringes (U-100)
0.3–0.5 mL, 29–31 G for accurate small draws.
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Alcohol prep pads
Sterile swabs for the vial stopper and site.
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Sharps container
Safe disposal of used needles.
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Storage fridge
Keeps reconstituted vials at 2–8 °C.
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Insulated travel case
Cooled, TSA-friendly case for travel.
Missed-dose guidance
There is no approved-label guidance. As a short course-based preparation, a missed daily dose is generally taken when remembered the same day or otherwise skipped to stay on the course schedule; doubling up is not recommended.
Side effects & safety
| Category | Effect | Trial incidence |
|---|---|---|
| General | Generally reported as well toleratedTolerability claims rest on limited, largely Russian-language and preclinical evidence rather than controlled Western trials. | — |
| Neurological | Mild headache early in a course | — |
| Neurological | Sleep changes or vivid dreamsReported anecdotally, consistent with the family's pineal/circadian associations. | — |
| Gastrointestinal | Mild GI effects (oral capsules) | — |
| Injection site | Local redness or irritation (subcutaneous form) | — |
Clinical trials & evidence
Oral Pinealon in TBI recovery (Russia)
Small clinical (Russia)Course-based · ~72 patients with consequences of traumatic brain injury
Reported improvements in cognitive and asthenic symptoms; a small, single-region study without a ClinicalTrials.gov identifier.
Trial identifier needs verification
Preclinical neuroprotection studies
Preclinical (animal/cell)Varies · Rodent and cell models
Reduced oxidative-stress markers, protection against hypoxia/excitotoxicity, and restoration of dendritic-spine density described.
Trial identifier needs verification
Storage & handling
- Lyophilized
- Refrigerate lyophilized powder at 2–8 °C, protected from light; for long-term storage a freezer (around −20 °C) is preferred. Keep dry.
- Reconstituted
- Refrigerate the reconstituted solution at 2–8 °C and use within roughly 1–2 weeks; avoid freeze–thaw cycles.
Comparisons
| Vs. | Target | Half-life | Dosing | Efficacy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epitalon | EDR tripeptide vs AEDG tetrapeptide | Very short (both) | Daily short courses (both) | Both from the bioregulator tradition; Pinealon framed as brain-directed neuroprotection, Epitalon as pineal/telomere-directed | Neither approved as a drug |
| Semax | Direct gene-regulatory peptide vs ACTH(4-10)-derived neuromodulator | Very short (both) | SC/oral course vs intranasal | Both used for cognition/neuroprotection but Semax has a larger (Russian) clinical literature | Neither FDA-approved |
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
What is a peptide bioregulator?
It is a term from the Russian gerontology literature for very short peptides proposed to modulate gene expression in specific tissues. Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) is one such brain-directed preparation; the supporting evidence is mostly preclinical plus small Russian clinical reports rather than large controlled trials.
Is Pinealon injected or taken orally?
Both formats exist. The injectable form uses roughly 1–2 mg per day; the oral capsule format uses about 20 mg per day, the larger oral dose offsetting the low absorption of peptides taken by mouth. The reconstitution tables here apply only to the injectable form.
Why is it dosed in short courses?
The bioregulator tradition uses pulsed courses — commonly 10–20 days, repeated a few times a year — rather than continuous daily use, on the premise that brief exposure is enough to shift gene expression. This pattern is convention from that literature, not a validated regulatory schedule.
Related protocols
Epitalon
Epithalon
AEDG tetrapeptide; telomerase signal is from cell/animal work, not human RCTs
Selank
TP-7
Heptapeptide anxiolytic developed from the immunopeptide tuftsin
Looking to match this protocol to a verified research vial? Our partner supplier publishes a certificate of analysis per batch.
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.