Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties
Review · Background on synthetic Epitalon, the pineal extract, and the limits of the evidence.
Mission 07 · The reading room
Read past
the headline.
A paper title can sound bigger than its experiment. Here are the sources, with the setting kept in view.
About 5 min · Study settings kept in view
These are the papers from the original Supernova reading list, with study settings beside the titles. A linked title opens the publication record.
Epitalon / cells, extract & mice
Epitalon increases telomere length in human cell lines through telomerase upregulation or ALT activity
Human cells in culture · Telomere lengthening in normal and breast-cancer cell lines; not a human cancer trial.
Molecular cellular mechanisms of peptide regulation of melatonin synthesis in pinealocyte culture
Rat cells in culture · Melatonin released by pineal-gland cells; not a study of human sleep.
Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells
Human cells in culture · The early telomerase and telomere observation.
Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life
Observational human follow-up · Pineal extract, alone or with thymalin; no random assignment or placebo.
Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice
Female mice · Maximum lifespan rose; mean lifespan and total tumour incidence did not change.
Epitalon protects against post-ovulatory aging-related damage of mouse oocytes in vitro
Mouse egg cells in culture · Post-ovulatory aging and cell damage; not a human fertility trial.
MOTS-c / signals, movement & markers
MOTS-c modulates skeletal muscle function by directly binding and activating CK2
Cell-free assays & mice · CK2 as a molecular target, with different effects in muscle and fat.
The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c May Refine Mortality and Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Human observational cohort · Naturally circulating MOTS-c in people receiving chronic hemodialysis; no added peptide.
Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c: effects and mechanisms related to stress, metabolism and aging
Review · Cell signalling, stress and metabolism; a map of biology rather than a treatment trial.
MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis
Mice & exercise observations · Added MOTS-c improved mouse performance; not a human treatment result.
The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression in Response to Metabolic Stress
Human & mouse cells · MOTS-c moved to the nucleus under metabolic stress.
NAD+ / precursors & human trials
NAD(+) precursor supplementation in human ageing: clinical evidence and challenges
Review of human trials · Limited efficacy and sparse tissue-specific data on NAD+ precursors.
The efficacy and safety of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation in healthy middle-aged adults: a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-dependent clinical trial
Human randomized trial · Oral NMN, blood NAD+, walking and quality of life over 60 days.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women
Human randomized trial · Prediabetic, postmenopausal women; muscle insulin sensitivity improved, body composition and HbA1c did not.
NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing
Biology review · NAD+ in energy reactions, signalling and aging research.
Safety and Metabolism of Long-term Administration of NIAGEN (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride) in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Healthy Overweight Adults
Human randomized trial · Oral NR raised whole-blood NAD+ over eight weeks; short-term safety observations.
Safety & prescription sources
FDA: substances nominated but withdrawn
Page current as of April 22, 2026. Epitalon and MOTS-c appear under nominated but withdrawn. Withdrawal is not clearance.
FDA review of Epitalon-related substances
July 2026 briefing: ingredient identity, human evidence gaps and safety concerns.
FDA review of MOTS-c-related substances
July 2026 briefing: missing human treatment and safety data, ingredient quality and immune-reaction concerns.
FDA: compounding questions and answers
Compounded medicines and the separate question of FDA approval.
FDA: understanding compounded-drug risks
Safety, effectiveness and quality are not reviewed before marketing in the way approved drugs are.
FDA: the section 503A bulk-substance framework
Ingredient rules are separate from the decision to issue an individual prescription.
HHS: getting started with telehealth licensure
Licensing requirements follow the location of the patient.
WADA: the 2026 Prohibited List
MOTS-c is prohibited in and out of competition.
These sources connect each finding to its setting. Reading a paper cannot resolve a personal medical question. For a specific error, send the sentence and the source.