Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg, EDR) is a synthetic tripeptide (MW ~418 g/mol) developed by Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a bioregulatory peptide targeting brain and pineal gland function. It is part of the Khavinson peptide bioregulator family. Evidence is limited to Russian preclinical studies and small open-label clinical observations, with no rigorous controlled clinical trials published in peer-reviewed international journals.
Category: Nootropic / Neuroprotective. Evidence rating: D (animal/preclinical only).
Clinical status: Preclinical / small open-label Russian studies only. No controlled clinical trials. Sold as a dietary supplement in Russia.
According to the Khavinson bioregulatory peptide theory, pinealon is proposed to penetrate cell membranes, enter the nucleus, and interact with specific DNA sequences to regulate gene expression related to neuronal function and pineal melatonin synthesis. Preclinical studies from the Khavinson…
Safety considerations: No controlled safety studies have been conducted; No serious adverse effects reported in Russian open-label observations; Long-term safety is unknown.
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 2026-07-06.
Related peptides: Semax, Cerebrolysin, Cortagen.
Compare: Pinealon vs Semax, Pinealon vs Cerebrolysin, Pinealon vs Cortagen.
Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology have developed a series of short peptides (2-4 amino acids) claimed to regulate gene expression in specific tissues. These include Epithalon (pineal), Pinealon (brain/pineal), Cortagen (brain cortex), Vilon (immune), and others. Their claims are primarily supported by research from the developing…
No rigorous clinical evidence exists. Available data consists of preclinical cell culture and animal studies plus small, open-label, uncontrolled clinical observations — all from the Khavinson research group. No randomized controlled trials have been published.
Safety has not been systematically evaluated. The small size and simple amino acid composition of the tripeptide suggest low acute toxicity, but without controlled studies, the safety profile remains unknown. It should not be used in place of proven medical treatments.