Epitalon vs Glutathione
Cellular
Epitalon
Synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and pineal regulation in cell and animal models.
Cellular
Glutathione
Endogenous thiol tripeptide and the principal intracellular antioxidant, central to redox buffering research.
Side by side
| Dimension | Epitalon | Glutathione |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 390.35 g/mol | 307.32 g/mol |
| Size class | small molecule / short peptide | small molecule / short peptide |
| CAS number | 307297-39-8 | 70-18-8 |
| Research area | longevity | longevity |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly | γ-Glu-Cys-Gly |
| Available sizes | 10mg, 50mg | 750mg, 1500mg |
| Entry price | $39 | $39 |
| Cost per mg Cost per milligram differs by more than 3×. Compare against the concentrations your protocol actually requires, not the headline vial price. | $1.38 | $0.05 |
Mechanism
Epitalon
Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed from research on pineal gland extracts. Published work has examined effects on telomerase expression in somatic cell cultures and circadian regulation in aged animals. A candid note on the evidence base: much of the foundational literature comes from a single institute and is not widely independently replicated. Researchers should weight it accordingly.
Glutathione
Glutathione is a tripeptide with an unusual γ-peptide bond between glutamate and cysteine, which confers resistance to standard peptidase cleavage. Its free thiol group makes it the dominant intracellular redox buffer, and the GSH/GSSG ratio is a standard readout of cellular oxidative state. It is also an obligate cofactor for glutathione peroxidases and S-transferases.
Evidence quality
Mechanism is not the same as evidence. Where we have assessed the literature, the verdict is stated plainly.
Epitalon
Evidence base: moderate volume, narrow provenance. A large share originates from one group. The telomerase mechanism is the most testable claim and has recently attracted work from outside that group, which is where replication should be sought.
Full research reference →Glutathione
Evidence base: vast for endogenous glutathione biology, thin for exogenous administration. The two should not be conflated. Bioavailability of the intact tripeptide is the open question, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is the reason it is open.
Full research reference →Research applications
Epitalon
- Telomerase activity assays in fibroblast culture
- Melatonin rhythm and pineal function studies
- Cellular senescence marker profiling
- Chromatin structure research in aged cell models
Glutathione
- GSH/GSSG ratio measurement as an oxidative stress readout
- Glutathione peroxidase and S-transferase activity assays
- Xenobiotic conjugation and detoxification pathway studies
- Ferroptosis research (GPX4 dependence on GSH)
Common questions
What is the difference between Epitalon and Glutathione?
Epitalon is synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and pineal regulation in cell and animal models. Glutathione is endogenous thiol tripeptide and the principal intracellular antioxidant, central to redox buffering research. They differ in molecular weight (390.35 vs 307.32 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, Epitalon or Glutathione?
Glutathione is lower at approximately $0.05 per milligram at its best tier, against $1.38 for the other. Cost per milligram is only meaningful relative to the concentrations a given protocol requires, since these compounds are not used at comparable masses.
Can Epitalon and Glutathione be studied together?
Combination designs appear in the published literature for a number of these compounds. Whether it is appropriate for a given protocol depends entirely on the model and endpoint. We supply research compounds and do not provide protocol guidance — consult the primary literature for your specific model.
How should Epitalon and Glutathione be stored?
Store lyophilized powder at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted solution stable at 2-8°C for up to 30 days. For Glutathione: Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light. The free thiol oxidizes readily — minimize air exposure and prepare solutions fresh.
Which has the stronger evidence base?
Epitalon — Evidence base: moderate volume, narrow provenance. A large share originates from one group. The telomerase mechanism is the most testable claim and has recently attracted work from outside that group, which is where replication should be sought. Glutathione — Evidence base: vast for endogenous glutathione biology, thin for exogenous administration. The two should not be conflated. Bioavailability of the intact tripeptide is the open question, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase is the reason it is open.
All products sold on this website are intended for research and identification purposes only. These products are not intended for human dosing, injection, or ingestion.
Comparison generated from Lyra Vital catalog data. Every specification is reconciled against the certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.