Comparison. Research use only.
Epithalon vs NAD+
Two compounds that appear together in longevity research discussion but sit at opposite ends of the evidence spectrum. Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide studied for telomerase induction, and its literature is small and largely from a single research group. NAD+ is a fundamental redox cofactor, and it is also consumed as a substrate by sirtuins, PARPs and CD38. The body of work behind it is very large and independent.
What is the difference between Epithalon and NAD+?
Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) studied for telomerase induction in cell culture; NAD+ is not a peptide but an endogenous redox cofactor that sirtuins, PARPs and CD38 also consume. Epithalon's literature is small and mostly from one research group. NAD+ has a large, independent literature, and its human trials, which tested precursors such as nicotinamide riboside, mostly reported null functional results.
| Attribute | Epithalon | NAD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Molecule class | Synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) | Dinucleotide redox cofactor (not a peptide) |
| Molecular weight | 390.35 g/mol | 663.43 g/mol (free acid) |
| Origin | Sequence derived from Epithalamin, a bovine pineal gland extract | Endogenous metabolite present in every human cell |
| Proposed mechanism | Telomerase (hTERT) induction in human fibroblast culture (Khavinson et al., 2003) | Electron carrier in glycolysis, TCA cycle and beta-oxidation; substrate for sirtuins, PARPs and CD38 |
| Human evidence | None in our research data | Precursor trials with nicotinamide riboside (Martens 2018; Dollerup 2018; Elhassan 2019) |
| Size of literature | Small; largely one research group | Very large and independent |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved; FDA bulk-substance Category 2 | Not an approved drug; endogenous metabolite and laboratory reagent |
What is Epithalon?
Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly, whose sequence was derived from the amino acid composition of Epithalamin, a bovine pineal gland extract. Telling the two apart is essential when reading this literature.
Read the full Epithalon research summary →What is NAD+?
NAD+ is a redox cofactor, a molecule cells use to shuttle electrons. It cycles between an oxidized and a reduced state, accepting a hydride at the C4 position of its nicotinamide ring.
Read the full NAD+ research summary →Epithalon and NAD+ specifications
Frequently asked questions
Is NAD+ a peptide like Epithalon?
No. Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide, four amino acids long (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly). NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a dinucleotide cofactor present in every human cell, where it carries electrons in glycolysis and the TCA cycle and is consumed by sirtuins, PARPs and CD38. Epithalon and NAD+ are grouped together only because both appear in longevity research discussion.
Have Epithalon and NAD+ been studied in humans?
No human trials of Epithalon appear in our research data; its key findings come from cell culture (Khavinson et al., 2003) and mouse studies (Anisimov et al., 2003). Human NAD+ trials have mostly tested precursors such as nicotinamide riboside rather than NAD+ itself. Those trials raised measured NAD+ levels but reported null results on functional endpoints such as insulin sensitivity (Dollerup et al., 2018).
Why are Epithalon and NAD+ compared?
Epithalon and NAD+ both appear in longevity research, but they sit at opposite ends of the evidence spectrum. Epithalon's telomerase literature is small and comes largely from a single research group, and a commonly repeated melatonin claim was not supported by an independent perifusion study (Djeridane et al., 2003). NAD+ biology rests on a large, independent literature, though controlled human precursor trials have mostly produced null functional results.
What is the regulatory status of Epithalon and NAD+?
Epithalon is not FDA-approved, and FDA has placed it in Category 2 of nominated bulk drug substances, citing possible immunogenicity risk. NAD+ is an endogenous metabolite and common laboratory reagent, not an approved drug, and intravenous NAD+ preparations are unapproved drug products. Veridian supplies both Epithalon and NAD+ strictly for in vitro and non-human research.
Other research peptide comparisons
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