NAD+ vs Epithalon

At a glance

NAD+

The central redox coenzyme of cellular metabolism and the required substrate for sirtuin and PARP enzyme activity.

NAD+ is a small molecule rather than a peptide with the molecular formula C21H27N7O14P2 and a molecular weight of 663.43 g/mol, CAS registry number 53-84-9. The vial is sealed and lot-numbered, holds lyophilised powder, and is kept at −20°C protected from light until it ships.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme present in every living cell and is not a peptide. It is in the catalog because it is stocked in the same lyophilised, research-grade form as the peptides.

The 3 papers cited below are 3 reviews. None is a controlled study of NAD+ in humans, and this page does not claim otherwise.

Cited on the NAD+ page

1. Covarrubias AJ et al. (2021). NAD(+) metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. PubMed 33353981 · SummaryReview of NAD+ metabolism in ageing: the enzymes that consume it, why levels fall, and the interventions studied.
2. Yoshino J et al. (2018). NAD(+) Intermediates: The Biology and Therapeutic Potential of NMN and NR. Cell Metab. PubMed 29249689 · SummaryReview of the NAD+ precursors NMN and NR: uptake, metabolism and the animal evidence.
3. Rajman L et al. (2018). Therapeutic Potential of NAD-Boosting Molecules: The In Vivo Evidence. Cell Metab. PubMed 29514064 · SummaryReview of the in vivo evidence for NAD-boosting compounds across tissues and models.

Epithalon

A synthetic tetrapeptide modelled on the pineal peptide epithalamin. A staple of telomere and circadian-regulation research.

Epithalon is a 4-residue peptide with the molecular formula C14H22N4O9 and a molecular weight of 390.35 g/mol, CAS registry number 307297-39-8. The vial is sealed and lot-numbered, holds lyophilised powder, and is kept at −20°C protected from light until it ships.

Epithalon is the tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. It was developed by the group of Vladimir Khavinson at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It holds no regulatory approval outside Russia.

The 2 papers cited below are 1 animal study and 1 cell-culture study. None is a controlled study of Epithalon in humans, and this page does not claim otherwise.

Cited on the Epithalon page

1. Khavinson VKh et al. (2003). Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med. PubMed 12937682 · SummaryHuman fetal fibroblast cultures: the tetrapeptide induced telomerase activity and telomere elongation.
2. Anisimov VN et al. (2003). Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice. Biogerontology. PubMed 14501183 · SummaryFemale SHR mice: slowed several biomarkers of ageing and reduced spontaneous tumour incidence over the lifespan study.

Handling the two side by side

NAD+

• Lyophilised powder is stable for years at −20°C in the dark and tolerates days at ambient temperature in transit.

Epithalon

• Lyophilised powder is stable for years at −20°C in the dark and tolerates days at ambient temperature in transit.

Where to go next

• NAD+ and Epithalon: full specifications, stability notes, references and the certificate for the lot in stock.
• Cognitive and longevity peptide comparison: how the whole group compares.
• How to read a certificate of analysis and the certificates page.