Pinealon: what the research shows
- By Reed Calder
- Last reviewed Nov 5, 2026
- 18 studies and official documents checked
In short
Pinealon is a lab-made three-amino-acid peptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) from the same St. Petersburg group that developed Epitalon. Despite its name, its studies are mostly about brain cells, not the pineal gland or sleep. Its human evidence is a few small Russian studies of “biological age” in workers and older patients, often given with a second peptide, Vesugen, and without a placebo group. One reported a drop in blood stem-cell markers. It isn’t FDA-approved, the FDA has never reviewed it, and the October 2026 HHS policy doesn’t cover it.
EvidenceCellAnimalHumansmall human studies, no placebo, published in Russian
Pinealon is sold online, mostly as capsules or injectable vials, for memory, brain health, sleep and slower aging. It belongs to the family of short “bioregulator” peptides designed by Vladimir Khavinson’s group. This page covers what was studied, in what, what it was compared with, and where it stands legally.
Names and forms you’ll see
| Name | What it is | Studied in people? |
|---|---|---|
| Pinealon, EDR, Glu-Asp-Arg | The name, the one-letter code and the three-letter code for the same peptide | Yes, in the small Russian studies below |
| Pinealon acetate | A salt form of the same peptide | The studies don’t say which form they used |
| Pinealon capsules | Pinealon taken by mouth | Yes; one study gave 100 micrograms twice a day |
| Pinealon injection vials | Powder sold for injection | No published study in people |
CAS numbers
A CAS number is a substance’s chemical registry number. Some “research” vials list it in place of a name. A different number usually means a different form, such as a salt, or a different substance.
| Form | CAS number | Registry record |
|---|---|---|
| Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) | 175175-23-2 | PubChem |
What Pinealon is
Pinealon is three amino acids: glutamic acid, aspartic acid and arginine. Its formula is C15H26N6O8 and its molecular weight about 418 (PubChem).
How it might work comes from cells. In rat brain cells and other cell types under stress, it limited the build-up of harmful oxygen molecules and cut cell death (Khavinson et al., 2011). In aging rat brain-cortex cultures it raised serotonin (Khavinson et al., 2014). Its developers propose that it enters cells and binds DNA and histones to change which genes are switched on (Khavinson et al., 2020), an idea supported mainly by computer docking (Khavinson et al., 2021).
What has been studied
In people
- Older patients, 2015. 32 adults aged 41 to 83 with several chronic illnesses and a brain disorder in remission took Vesugen or Pinealon. The authors reported better “biological age” scores, more with Vesugen. They also found a pro-oxidant effect and a drop in CD34+ blood stem-cell markers, which they called a significant slowing of blood-cell production (Meshchaninov et al., 2015).
- Train crews, 2012. Locomotive workers took one 100-microgram capsule twice a day for two weeks. The authors reported better biological-age and adaptation scores. The abstract gives no group sizes and doesn’t mention a comparison group (Nazimko et al., 2012).
- Truck drivers, 2012. In a study of 150 truck drivers and 150 metal workers, peptides improved stress and mood scores; the best results came from Pinealon combined with Vesugen. The abstract doesn’t say how many took Pinealon or what they were compared with (Bashkireva and Artamonova, 2012).
- Aging methods compared, 2016. In 110 people, Vesugen and Pinealon together had the biggest effect on biological-age scores among several methods, including massage and oxygen therapy (Myakotnykh et al., 2016).
All four were published in Russian, in the same journal, and none reports a placebo group. “Biological age” is a score built from tests, not a measure of how long anyone lives. We found no published study in people that measured memory, sleep or a disease outcome after Pinealon, and no registered trial on ClinicalTrials.gov.
EvidenceCellAnimalHumansmall studies, no placebo
In cells and animals
- Alzheimer’s models. In mouse brain cells exposed to amyloid, it raised the number of mature dendritic spines, the contact points between nerve cells, by 71% (Kraskovskaya et al., 2017). In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s it prevented the loss of spines (Khavinson et al., 2021).
- Aged human neurons in a dish. In nerve cells made from older donors’ skin cells, it lowered DNA damage and grew more branches, but didn’t change mitochondria, lysosomes or an aging marker (Kraskovskaya et al., 2024).
- Pregnancy in rats. Given to pregnant rats on a diet that raises homocysteine, it improved their pups’ learning (Arutjunyan et al., 2012).
- Low oxygen in old rats, mixed. It improved maze learning in young and old rats (Mendzheritski et al., 2013). Before blocked neck arteries, it helped rats survive but reduced exploring and movement, and raised a cell-death enzyme in the brain (Mendzheritskii et al., 2011).
EvidenceCellAnimalHuman
The usual claims, checked
| Claim | What the studies found |
|---|---|
| Improves sleep | We found no study that measured sleep after Pinealon, in people or animals |
| Boosts memory and focus | Maze learning improved in rats (Mendzheritski et al., 2013). We found no memory study in people |
| Protects against Alzheimer’s | Cell and mouse models only (Kraskovskaya et al., 2017; Khavinson et al., 2021) |
| Slows aging | “Biological age” scores improved in small Russian studies with no placebo, often with Vesugen given too (Meshchaninov et al., 2015) |
| Antioxidant | In cells, yes (Khavinson et al., 2011). In 32 patients the authors found a pro-oxidant effect (Meshchaninov et al., 2015) |
| Works on the pineal gland | Despite the name, we found no study of Pinealon and the pineal gland’s melatonin in people or animals |
What the studies used
| Study | Who | How given | Placebo group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meshchaninov et al., 2015 | 32 adults aged 41 to 83 | Pinealon or Vesugen; dose not in the abstract | No |
| Nazimko et al., 2012 | Locomotive crews | Capsules, 100 micrograms twice a day for 2 weeks | No |
| Bashkireva and Artamonova, 2012 | 150 truck drivers, 150 metal workers | Pinealon, often with Vesugen; dose not in the abstract | No |
That capsule dose is the only one we found in a study, and it’s not a dose for anyone to use. We found no published study of injecting Pinealon in people; the injection doses you’ll see online don’t come from a study.
Side effects and safety
- Blood-cell signal. In the 32-patient study, CD34+ blood stem-cell markers fell after Vesugen or Pinealon, and the authors reported a pro-oxidant effect (Meshchaninov et al., 2015). No later study has checked this.
- No data on how the body handles it. We found no published study of its absorption or half-life, in people or animals.
- Mixed animal results. In old rats it raised a cell-death enzyme in the brain and reduced movement before a stroke-like injury (Mendzheritskii et al., 2011).
- Unstudied groups. No published study covers pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, long-term use or injection.
Side effects people report from online products aren’t covered here; they come from users, not studies.
Legal and approval status
- Not FDA-approved, and not part of any approved drug.
- Never reviewed by the FDA. It isn’t on the FDA’s list of compounding substances with safety risks (FDA, 2026) or its May 2026 list of substances nominated for compounding (FDA, 2026).
- Not in the HHS policy. The temporary HHS policy of October 28, 2026 covers six peptides, including Epitalon; Pinealon isn’t one of them (Reuters, 2026).
- Sport. Pinealon isn’t named on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2026 list (WADA, 2026). Athletes should check with their anti-doping agency before using any unapproved substance.
- “Research use only” products aren’t approved for use in people.
Pinealon vs Epitalon
| Pinealon | Epitalon | |
|---|---|---|
| Amino acids | 3 (Glu-Asp-Arg) | 4 (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) |
| Main research focus | Brain cells, memory and stress in animals | Aging, telomeres and melatonin |
| Studies in people | Small Russian biological-age studies, no placebo | Three small studies; one had a placebo group |
| FDA review | None | Reviewed in 2026; FDA staff recommended against compounding |
| U.S. compounding | Not allowed | Allowed for now under the HHS policy |
Both come from the same St. Petersburg group, and both are sold for aging. We found no study that compared them or tested them together. See the Epitalon summary and the other bioregulators from the same family.
What to look for if you research it
We don’t name or link sellers. These checks come from the published studies:
- Molecular weight on the certificate. Mass spectrometry should show about 418 for Pinealon. Purity by HPLC alone doesn’t prove what the peak is.
- Blends. Several of the human studies gave Pinealon with Vesugen, so their results don’t show what Pinealon does alone.
- Injection vials. The only route studied in people was by mouth.
Our guide to what to look for explains what each test on a lab report proves and which routes are legal; how to read a peptide study explains how to judge the studies sellers cite.
What’s still unknown
- Whether it improves memory, sleep or health in people, in a blinded trial.
- Whether the drop in blood stem-cell markers is real, and whether it matters.
- How long it lasts in the body, by any route.
- Whether injecting it is safe.
Retracted and flagged studies
A retracted study has been pulled by its journal, usually for serious errors or misconduct, and its results shouldn’t be relied on. A withdrawn paper was pulled, often before final publication. An expression of concern means the journal has flagged a problem it is still looking into.
We check every study this page cites against PubMed and the Retraction Watch database, and search both for flagged studies that mention Pinealon. We recheck every month. Last checked Nov 11, 2026.
We found no retracted, withdrawn or flagged studies that mention Pinealon.
Studies this page relies on
| Study | Published in | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mendzheritskiĭ et al., 2011 | Adv Gerontol | No retraction or concern |
| Khavinson et al., 2011 | Rejuvenation Res | No retraction or concern |
| Arutjunyan et al., 2012 | Int J Clin Exp Med | No retraction or concern |
| Nazimko et al., 2012 | Adv Gerontol | No retraction or concern |
| Bashkireva and Artamonova, 2012 | Adv Gerontol | No retraction or concern |
| Khavinson et al., 2014 | Bull Exp Biol Med | No retraction or concern |
| Meshchaninov et al., 2015 | Adv Gerontol | No retraction or concern |
| Myakotnykh et al., 2016 | Adv Gerontol | No retraction or concern |
| Kraskovskaya et al., 2017 | Bull Exp Biol Med | No retraction or concern |
| Mendzheritski et al., 2013 | Adv Gerontol | No retraction or concern |
| Khavinson et al., 2020 | Molecules | No retraction or concern |
| Khavinson et al., 2021 | Pharmaceuticals (Basel) | No retraction or concern |
| Kraskovskaya et al., 2024 | Int J Mol Sci | No retraction or concern |
Bring your questions to other researchers
Our forum opens once 100 researchers join the waitlist. Members post studies, ask what they actually found, and answer with sources.
Questions
What does Pinealon do?
In cells it limited oxidative damage and cell death (Khavinson et al., 2011), and in rats it improved maze learning (Mendzheritski et al., 2013). In people, small Russian studies reported better biological-age scores, without placebo groups.
Does Pinealon help sleep?
We found no study that measured sleep after Pinealon, in people or animals. Its name comes from the pineal gland, but its studies are mostly about brain cells.
Is Pinealon safe? What are the side effects?
Too few people have taken it in studies to know. In one study of 32 adults given Pinealon or Vesugen, blood stem-cell markers fell (Meshchaninov et al., 2015).
How do you take Pinealon? What is the dosage?
The only dose we found in a study was one 100-microgram capsule twice a day for two weeks, in train crews (Nazimko et al., 2012). No dose comes from a study of injecting it.
Is Pinealon legal?
It isn’t FDA-approved, and the October 2026 HHS compounding policy doesn’t cover it, so U.S. pharmacies can’t compound it. “Research use only” vials aren’t approved for people.
Pinealon or Epitalon?
No study has compared them. Pinealon was studied mostly for the brain; Epitalon, mostly for aging and melatonin. Epitalon has had an FDA review; Pinealon hasn’t.
Sources
- Meshchaninov VN, et al. [Effect of synthetic peptides on aging of patients with chronic polymorbidity and organic brain syndrome of the central nervous system in remission]. Adv Gerontol. 2015;28(1):62-7. In Russian. PubMed 26390612
- Nazimko VA, et al. [Analysis of some parameters of biological age and adaptation possibilities of workers of locomotive brigades]. Adv Gerontol. 2012;25(1):57-62. In Russian. PubMed 22708445
- Bashkireva AS, Artamonova VG. [The peptide correction of neurotic disorders among professional truck-drivers]. Adv Gerontol. 2012;25(4):718-28. In Russian. PubMed 23734521
- Myakotnykh VS, et al. [Comparative analysis of different methods of geroprotective]. Adv Gerontol. 2016;29(4):594-601. In Russian. PubMed 28539017
- Khavinson V, et al. Pinealon increases cell viability by suppression of free radical levels and activating proliferative processes. Rejuvenation Res. 2011;14(5):535-41. PubMed 21978084
- Khavinson VKh, et al. Short peptides stimulate serotonin expression in cells of brain cortex. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2014;157(1):77-80. PubMed 24909721
- Khavinson V, et al. EDR Peptide: Possible Mechanism of Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Regulation Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Molecules. 2020;26(1):159. PubMed 33396470
- Kraskovskaya NA, et al. Tripeptides Restore the Number of Neuronal Spines under Conditions of In Vitro Modeled Alzheimer's Disease. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2017;163(4):550-3. PubMed 28853087
- Khavinson V, et al. Neuroprotective Effects of Tripeptides-Epigenetic Regulators in Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(6):515. PubMed 34071923
- Kraskovskaya N, et al. Short Peptides Protect Fibroblast-Derived Induced Neurons from Age-Related Changes. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(21):11363. PubMed 39518916
- Arutjunyan A, et al. Pinealon protects the rat offspring from prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2012;5(2):179-85. PubMed 22567179
- Mendzheritski AM, et al. [Effect of peptide geroprotectors on the navigation system learning and caspase-3 in brain structures in rats of different age]. Adv Gerontol. 2013;26(2):252-7. In Russian. PubMed 28976148
- Mendzheritskii AM, et al. [Effects of introduction of short peptides before carotid artery occlusion on behaviour and caspase-3 activity in the brain of old rats]. Adv Gerontol. 2011;24(1):74-9. In Russian. PubMed 21809624
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks. FDA page
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bulk drug substances nominated for use in compounding under section 503A (updated May 14, 2026). FDA document
- World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List. WADA document
- Reuters. U.S. health department to allow temporary sale of some unapproved peptides. October 28, 2026. Article
- National Library of Medicine. PubChem compound record: Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) (CID 10273502). PubChem
Last reviewed Nov 5, 2026. Approval and compounding status change often; we recheck this page when they do. Nothing here is medical advice; see our medical disclaimer. Found a mistake? Email editors@peptideresearchstudy.com.