Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people
O. V. Korkushko, B. A. Lapin, N. D. Goncharova, V. Kh. Khavinson · 2007 · Adv Gerontol. 20(1):74–85
Reported findings and study design
In older adults with low baseline melatonin, Epitalon increased 03:00 plasma melatonin from 20 ± 4 to 49 ± 7 pg/mL; saline changed from 27 ± 4 to 25 ± 4. Evening melatonin also rose, while daytime concentrations did not change significantly.
Dose, route and schedule
Epitalon 0.01 mg intramuscularly daily for 10 days (0.1 mg total); saline 2 mL daily for 10 days. A separate Epithalamin arm received 10 mg every third day for five injections. Historical study methods, not personal-use instructions.
Protocol source ↗ · Original methods
| Measure | Result | Comparison, timing and statistics |
|---|---|---|
| 03:00 melatonin · low-baseline subgroup | 20 ± 4 → 49 ± 7 pg/mL | Epitalon n=12; saline n=8: 27 ± 4 → 25 ± 4 pg/mL · p<0.05 versus baseline and post-treatment saline |
| 21:00 melatonin | 12 ± 3 → 25 ± 4 pg/mL | Saline: 12 ± 3 → 11 ± 3 pg/mL · p<0.05 versus baseline and post-treatment saline |
| Preserved baseline pineal function | No melatonin change in 3 Epitalon recipients |
Human low-melatonin subgroup · original Table 7
| Time | Epitalon before (n=12) | Epitalon after | Saline before (n=8) | Saline after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | 9 ± 1 | 10 ± 2 | 9 ± 2 | 9 ± 3 |
| 15:00 | 5 ± 1 | 6 ± 1 | 4 ± 1 | 4 ± 1 |
| 21:00 | 12 ± 3 | 25 ± 4* | 12 ± 3 | 11 ± 3# |
| 03:00 | 20 ± 4 | 49 ± 7* | 27 ± 4 | 25 ± 4# |
All values pg/mL, with dispersion as printed. * p<0.05 versus pretreatment; # p<0.05 versus Epitalon. These are the low-function subgroups, not all 40 intervention participants.
The Epitalon low-melatonin comparison contains 12 treated and 8 saline recipients; the three Epitalon recipients with preserved function showed no change. These are hormone measurements, not demonstrated sleep improvement or lifespan extension. Human and monkey results are separate.
Source for the extracted data ↗ · Checked 2026-10-31
Molekul summary of the linked publication. Educational information, not medical advice. Seek qualified healthcare help for medical conditions.
Methods, limitations & source review
Study limitations
- The Epitalon low-melatonin comparison contains 12 treated and 8 saline recipients; the three Epitalon recipients with preserved function showed no change.
- These are hormone measurements, not demonstrated sleep improvement or lifespan extension. Human and monkey results are separate.
Publication counts are not counts of independent trials. Reviews, translations and reports sharing participants may overlap. Findings apply to the studied preparation, population and endpoints.
Review depth: Original Russian methods and Table 7, printed pages 75–76 and 79, checked; table visually verified.
Source access and review scope
Original Russian methods and Table 7, printed pages 75–76 and 79, checked; table visually verified.
Recorded source-check date: 2026-10-31. This date does not imply a completed systematic review.
Citation and original source
Original source: O. V. Korkushko, B. A. Lapin, N. D. Goncharova, V. Kh. Khavinson. Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people Adv Gerontol. 20(1):74–85 2007.
Molekul research summary: https://molekul.io/research/epitalon-human-melatonin-2007. Cite the original publication for its findings and this page when referring to Molekul’s summary or evidence appraisal.
Bibliography entry