Class
Short bioregulator peptides
Short bioregulator peptides, often called Khavinson peptides, are synthetic di-, tri- and tetrapeptides from a St Petersburg research programme, many designed from the amino-acid composition of organ extracts. Their developers propose an epigenetic mechanism: that the peptides enter cells, reach the nucleus and bind DNA or histones to change which genes are expressed. Most of the supporting work is in cultured cells, tissue explants and computational docking, largely from the originating group. No receptor or defined molecular target has been identified for most of them.
How the members differ
- Each is framed as organ-directed, matching the tissue its template extract came from, such as Cardiogen for heart and Pancragen for pancreas; one explant study reported organ-matched growth stimulation.
- Vilon and Epithalon have whole-animal lifespan or circadian reports from the originating group, whereas Cartalax, Chonluten and Testagen have only cell or cell-free data.
- Pancragen and Vesugen each have one small, uncontrolled human report, and Thymalin, a thymus extract rather than a synthetic peptide, has non-randomised COVID-19 reports.
- Cortagen was repeatedly the weakest or inactive member when compared head-to-head with its sister peptides.
Compounds in this group
PancragenLimited human data · Not approved — research use onlyPancragen is a short synthetic peptide of the bioregulator class, studied in experimental research on pancreatic tissue and cellular aging.
ThymalinLimited human data · Not approved — research use onlyA short thymic peptide of the bioregulator class, studied in laboratory research on immune function and cellular aging.
EpithalonPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyEpithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide modeled on a pineal gland extract and investigated in cell and animal research on telomerase, antioxidant activity and aging. Most of the literature originates from a small number of research groups. It is not an approved medicine in the United States.
VilonPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyVilon is a short synthetic dipeptide of the bioregulator class, studied in experimental research on immune function and cellular aging.
PinealonPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyPinealon is a short synthetic tripeptide of the bioregulator class, studied in experimental models of neuronal and cellular aging.
VesugenPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyA short synthetic bioregulator peptide, studied in research on vascular tissue and endothelial cell biology.
LivagenPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyLivagen is a short synthetic bioregulator peptide, investigated in cell research on chromatin state and tissue-specific gene expression.
CortagenPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyA short synthetic peptide of the bioregulator type, investigated in research on neural tissue and neuroprotection.
BronchogenPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyBronchogen is a short synthetic bioregulator peptide, investigated in cell research on gene expression in bronchial tissue.
CardiogenPreclinical research · Not approved — research use onlyA short synthetic bioregulator peptide, studied in research on cardiac tissue and cardiomyocyte biology.
ProstamaxMechanistic only · Not approved — research use onlyA short peptide bioregulator associated with prostate tissue, studied in laboratory research on tissue-specific gene regulation.
CartalaxMechanistic only · Not approved — research use onlyCartalax is a short synthetic tripeptide of the bioregulator class, studied in experimental research on cartilage and connective tissue biology.
ChonlutenMechanistic only · Not approved — research use onlyA short bioregulator peptide associated with lung and bronchial tissue, investigated in laboratory research on tissue-specific regulation.
TestagenMechanistic only · Not approved — research use onlyA short synthetic tetrapeptide of the Khavinson bioregulator class, studied in laboratory research on testicular tissue and gene expression.
Compare Pancragen, Thymalin, Epithalon side by side
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or dietary supplement. Mechanism descriptions summarize published research and are not claims of effect in people.