Epitalon vs NAD+
Cellular
Epitalon
Synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and pineal regulation in cell and animal models.
Cellular
NAD+
Essential redox coenzyme and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs — central to metabolic and DNA repair research.
Side by side
| Dimension | Epitalon | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 390.35 g/mol | 663.43 g/mol |
| Size class | small molecule / short peptide | short peptide |
| CAS number | 307297-39-8 | 53-84-9 |
| Research area | longevity | longevity |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly | Not published as a linear sequence |
| Available sizes | 10mg, 50mg | 500mg, 1000mg |
| Entry price | $39 | $59 |
| 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 | $0.11 |
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.
NAD+
NAD+ is a dinucleotide coenzyme present in all living cells, functioning both as an electron carrier in redox reactions and as a consumed substrate for sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38. It is not a peptide. Research interest in the longevity context follows from the observation that tissue NAD+ concentration declines with age, and from the dependence of sirtuin activity on NAD+ availability.
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 →NAD+
Evidence base: enormous for NAD+ biology, much smaller for exogenous NAD+ administration. Most interventional human data concerns precursors, not NAD+ itself, and membrane permeability is the reason. Read precursor results as precursor results.
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
NAD+
- Sirtuin activity and deacetylation assays
- PARP-mediated DNA repair studies
- Mitochondrial respiration and redox state measurement
- CD38 and NAD+ consumption pathway research
Common questions
What is the difference between Epitalon and NAD+?
Epitalon is synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase activity and pineal regulation in cell and animal models. NAD+ is essential redox coenzyme and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs — central to metabolic and DNA repair research. They differ in molecular weight (390.35 vs 663.43 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, Epitalon or NAD+?
NAD+ is lower at approximately $0.11 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 NAD+ 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 NAD+ be stored?
Store lyophilized powder at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted solution stable at 2-8°C for up to 30 days. For NAD+: Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light and moisture. NAD+ is hygroscopic and degrades in solution faster than most peptides — prepare fresh where the assay permits.
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. NAD+ — Evidence base: enormous for NAD+ biology, much smaller for exogenous NAD+ administration. Most interventional human data concerns precursors, not NAD+ itself, and membrane permeability is the reason. Read precursor results as precursor results.
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.