PINEALON
Synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) with neuroprotective, antioxidant, and geroprotective properties developed in Russia.
Pinealon was developed at the Saint-Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology by Khavinson and colleagues. In vitro studies demonstrate dose-dependent reduction of ROS in cerebellar granule cells, neutrophils, and PC12 cells, with accompanying decreases in necrotic cell death. Animal studies show improved cognitive function and spatial learning in offspring of rats with prenatal hyperhomocysteinemia, as well as neuroprotective effects under acute hypoxia and hypothermia in aged rats. A small human study (n=32) in patients with chronic polymorbidity and organic brain syndrome showed geroprotective and anabolic effects, though Vesugen outperformed Pinealon. Evidence is almost entirely preclinical with very limited human data; no randomized controlled trials exist.