Molecular Properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Pinealon / EDR Tripeptide |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR) |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₆H₂₈N₆O₈ |
| Molecular Weight | 432.43 g/mol |
| CAS Number | Not assigned (research peptide bioregulator) |
| Sequence Length | 3 amino acids (tripeptide) |
| Bioregulator Class | Brain/CNS peptide bioregulator; neuroprotective research agent |
Physical Properties
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white lyophilized powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water, PBS, or saline at ≥5 mg/mL |
| pH (1% solution) | 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic due to Glu/Asp residues) |
| Hygroscopicity | Low to moderate; standard desiccated storage |
| Solution Stability | Stable at 4°C for 14-21 days; high stability as short peptide |
Analytical Specifications
| Test | Specification |
|---|---|
| HPLC Purity | ≥98.0% |
| Mass Spectrometry | Confirmed [M+H]⁺ = 432.43 ± 0.3 Da |
| Peptide Content | ≥95% (by amino acid analysis) |
| Endotoxin Level | <1.0 EU/mg |
| Acetate Content | ≤5% |
| TFA Content | ≤0.1% |
| Water Content | ≤5% (Karl Fischer) |
Storage Parameters
| Condition | Specification |
|---|---|
| Lyophilized Storage | -20°C, desiccated (room temperature short-term acceptable due to stability) |
| Lyophilized Shelf Life | 36 months when stored properly at -20°C |
| Reconstituted Storage | 2-8°C for up to 21 days; -20°C for up to 6 months |
| Analytical Stock Preparation | Dissolve in sterile water or PBS buffer with gentle vortexing for 15-30 seconds |
| Freeze-Thaw Cycles | Tolerates 5+ cycles; tripeptide highly stable |
| Light Sensitivity | Minimal; standard laboratory storage acceptable |
In Vitro & Preclinical Model Concentrations
| Experimental Model | Published Concentration / Regimen | Exposure Schedule | Administration Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Vitro Neuronal Culture | 1-100 μM | Daily media change or continuous exposure | Culture media |
| Small Animal Models (Rodent) | 0.1-1 mg/kg | Daily for 10-20 days | SC, IP, intranasal in rodent models |
| Neuroprotection Studies (Rodent) | 0.5-2 mg/kg | Once daily, 10-day experimental cycles | SC or IP in rodent models |
| Cognitive Function Research (Rodent) | 0.25-1 mg/kg | Daily for 14-28 days | SC or intranasal in rodent models |
Note: Concentrations and animal regimens summarized above are extracted from published in vitro and rodent studies for laboratory reference only. Pinealon is intended strictly for laboratory research.
Key Research Studies
| Year | Study Focus | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Isolation from brain tissue and initial characterization | Pinealon (EDR) identified in brain tissue extracts by Khavinson group; demonstrated neuroprotective effects in vitro at 1-50 μM concentrations; reduced oxidative stress markers by 30-40% |
| 2009 | Neuroprotection in ischemia models | Pinealon administration (0.5 mg/kg daily for 10 days) reduced infarct volume by 35-45% in rodent stroke models; upregulated antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF) |
| 2014 | Gene expression and molecular mechanisms | Microarray analysis revealed pinealon modulated 62 brain-specific genes; primary effects on neuronal survival pathways (Bcl-2/Bax ratio), synaptic plasticity genes (Arc, Homer1), and mitochondrial function |
| 2018 | Cognitive function and neuroplasticity | Treatment with pinealon (0.5 mg/kg for 20 days) improved spatial memory in aged rodents by 25-30%; increased hippocampal dendritic spine density and enhanced long-term potentiation (LTP) amplitude |
Mechanism of Action
| Biological Pathway | Description |
|---|---|
| Tissue-Specific Bioregulation | Tripeptide derived from brain tissue; exhibits tissue-specific effects on neurons and glial cells; proposed to interact with chromatin and gene regulatory elements |
| Gene Expression Modulation | Influences expression of neuroprotective genes; upregulates neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF, GDNF); modulates oxidative stress response genes |
| Neuroprotection | Reduces oxidative stress via antioxidant enzyme upregulation; protects against excitotoxicity and apoptosis; stabilizes mitochondrial membrane potential |
| Synaptic Plasticity | Enhances synaptic protein synthesis; increases dendritic spine formation; improves long-term potentiation (LTP) in rodent hippocampus |
| Duration of Effect | Cumulative effects over 10-20 days in rodent models; molecular changes persist 2-4 weeks post-treatment; tripeptide metabolically stable |
Quality Control Parameters
| Test Method | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|
| Appearance (visual) | White to off-white powder; uniform fine texture |
| Reconstitution Test | Complete dissolution within 30 seconds; clear colorless solution |
| RP-HPLC (purity) | Main peak ≥98.0%; no single impurity >0.5% |
| ESI-MS (identity) | [M+H]⁺ = 432.43 ± 0.3 Da confirmed |
| Amino Acid Sequence | Confirmed EDR sequence by MS/MS fragmentation |
Bioregulator Tripeptide Family
| Bioregulator | Sequence | Target Tissue | MW (Da) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinealon | Glu-Asp-Arg (EDR) | Brain/CNS (neurons) | 432.43 |
| Cortagen | Ala-Glu-Asp (AED) | Brain cortex (cognitive) | 347.30 |
| Vesugen | Lys-Glu-Asp (KED) | Vascular endothelium | 375.37 |
| Vilon | Lys-Glu (KE) | Immune system (thymus-related) | 275.30 |
Structure-Activity Considerations
| Position | Amino Acid | Structural Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glutamic acid (Glu) | Acidic residue; potential for electrostatic interactions; N-terminal |
| 2 | Aspartic acid (Asp) | Acidic residue; central position; conformation influence |
| 3 | Arginine (Arg) | Basic residue; C-terminal; positive charge; receptor/DNA interaction |
| Net Charge | Approximately neutral to slightly acidic at physiological pH (2 acidic, 1 basic) | |
Experimental Application Guidelines
| Model System | Optimal Concentration / Dose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Neuronal Culture | 10-50 μM | 24-72 hours |
| Neuroblastoma Cell Lines | 1-100 μM | 24-96 hours |
| Acute Injury Models (rodent) | 0.5-1 mg/kg | Single dose or 3-7 days |
| Chronic/Aging Models (rodent) | 0.25-0.5 mg/kg | 10-20 day cycles |
Regulatory & Compounding Status
Pinealon is an unapproved investigational research tripeptide. It is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for human or veterinary therapeutic or diagnostic use, and does not appear on FDA’s 503A or 503B bulk drug substances eligible lists. This monograph is intended strictly for laboratory research and educational reference.
External References
- Khavinson VKh, et al. Peptide bioregulators and aging. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23 Suppl 3:11-144. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12695707/
- Khavinson VKh, et al. Pinealon increases cell viability by suppression of free radical levels and activating proliferative processes. Rejuvenation Res. 2011;14(5):535-41. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/rej.2011.1172
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. Short Peptides as Bioregulators. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391721/