Pinealon
Clinical reviewer: Jacob Moore, MD · Last checked September 17, 2026
What is Pinealon?
Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide, Glu-Asp-Arg, developed by Russian peptide researchers and studied mainly in rats. Small studies report effects on cognition, oxidative stress and blood-cell formation, including one uncontrolled study in 32 adults aged 41 to 83. It is not FDA-approved and does not appear on FDA's lists of nominated compounding substances.
What is Pinealon and what has it been studied for?
Pinealon (Glu-Asp-Arg) is a short synthetic peptide developed by Russian peptide researchers. In pregnant rats with induced hyperhomocysteinemia, pinealon improved offspring cognitive function and made cerebellar neurons more resistant to oxidative stress [1]. A 2015 study gave pinealon to 32 people aged 41 to 83 with polymorbidity and organic brain syndrome in remission; the authors reported effects on biological-age indicators but also found prooxidant activity and significant inhibition of blood-cell formation [2]. The evidence base for pinealon is a limited set of small or animal studies rather than controlled human trials.
Is Pinealon FDA-approved or backed by clinical trials?
No. Pinealon does not appear in FDA's May 2026 list of bulk drug substances nominated for compounding, and it is not an FDA-approved drug [3]. A 2026 orthopaedics review names pinealon among "recovery-enhancing agents" targeting circadian and mitochondrial regulators, but notes a current lack of clinical trials for this group of peptides [4].
Related terms
Sources
- Pinealon and offspring cognition in rats with hyperhomocysteinemia, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2012
- Pinealon in older adults with organic brain syndrome, Advances in Gerontology, 2015
- FDA, Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A, May 14, 2026
- Peptide review, JAAOS Global Research and Reviews, 2026
This entry is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
