Cartalax
Also known as: Ala-Glu-Asp, AED Tripeptide
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Cartalax from $178/kit
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Key Facts: Cartalax
- Category
- Bioregulators
- FDA Status
- Not FDA Approved
- Clinical Status
- Available in Russia - Not FDA approved
- Administration
- Oral
- Typical Dose
- Limited community data available
- Frequency
- See research protocols
- Duration
- 10-30 day courses
Mechanism of Action
Cartalax belongs to the cytogen class of short peptides. The Khavinson research group proposes that AED regulates tissue-specific gene expression in cartilage cells, upregulating chondrogenic genes such as SOX9, type II collagen (COL2) and aggrecan (ACAN), rather than acting through classical receptor signaling. This DNA-binding, gene-regulation model is a peer-reviewed hypothesis supported mainly by the group's own in-vitro work, not independently established mainstream consensus.
Research Summary
The published evidence is in vitro and animal only. A 2023 review of peptide regulation of chondrogenic differentiation lists AED among peptides that act on cartilage cells through WNT, ERK-p38 and Smad signaling, while stating plainly that no human clinical trials exist. The broader Russian literature reports cartilage-protective and matrix-synthesis effects, but independent Western validation is limited. Bottom line: the mechanism is plausible and supported in cell models, but human efficacy is unproven.
Dosing Information
Note: Animal study doses may not translate directly to humans.
Typical Dosingⓘ
Community experience
Limited community data available
See research dosing
See research protocols
Research Dosingⓘ
Scientific studies
Doses from Russian protocols
Doses from Studies
10-20 mg daily
Oral capsules
Duration
10-30 day courses
Administration
Oral
Timing & Administration
Best Time to Take
Morning or as directed
Follow recommended protocol
Food Recommendation
With or without food
Why This Timing?
Timing may vary based on individual response and goals. Consistency is generally more important than specific timing.
Possible Side Effects
Not everyone experiences these effects. Individual responses vary based on dosage, duration, and personal factors.
- ●Generally well-tolerated
- ●Mild injection site reactions
- ●Transient fatigue
- ●Mild GI upset (rare)
- ●Limited documented side effect data
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10179481/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8619776/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartalax
Research This Peptide Further
Buy in shop
Cartalax from $178/kit
1 verified vendor, ≥99% purity, COAs included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cartalax do?
Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp, or AED) from the Khavinson family of short peptide bioregulators, studied as a cartilage and connective-tissue regulator. It is a research compound, not an approved drug, and no registered human clinical trials exist.
How does Cartalax work?
Cartalax belongs to the cytogen class of short peptides. The Khavinson research group proposes that AED regulates tissue-specific gene expression in cartilage cells, upregulating chondrogenic genes such as SOX9, type II collagen (COL2) and aggrecan (ACAN), rather than acting through classical receptor signaling. This DNA-binding, gene-regulation model is a peer-reviewed hypothesis supported mainly by the group's own in-vitro work, not independently established mainstream consensus.
Is Cartalax FDA approved?
No, Cartalax is not currently FDA approved. Current status: Available in Russia - Not FDA approved
What are the side effects of Cartalax?
Reported side effects include: Generally well-tolerated, Mild injection site reactions, Transient fatigue, Mild GI upset (rare), Limited documented side effect data. Individual responses vary based on dosage, duration, and personal health factors.
What is the typical dose of Cartalax?
Community-reported common dose: Limited community data available (See research protocols). Range: See research dosing. Administration: Oral. Community-reported doses. Not medical advice. Consult healthcare provider.
Related Peptides
Peptides commonly compared with Cartalax or used in similar applications.
Epithalon
Clinical TrialsEpithalon (also spelled Epitalon) is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), modeled on a natural pineal gland extract. It came out of decades of Russian gerontology research led by Vladimir Khavinson and is marketed as an anti-aging compound that supposedly switches telomerase back on. It has no approval from the FDA, EMA, or other Western regulators, and the human evidence is thin.
BioregulatorsThymalin
Clinical TrialsThymalin is not a single peptide but a polypeptide complex extracted from calf thymus, developed in the Soviet and Russian peptide-bioregulator tradition associated with Vladimir Khavinson. It is used in Russia and several post-Soviet countries to correct immune deficiency and is promoted as a geroprotector, with claimed effects on T and B lymphocytes, infection rates and aging. Outside that region it has no FDA or EMA approval, and the strongest human data come from a small number of studies, several from the originating research groups.
BioregulatorsPinealon
PreclinicalPinealon is a synthetic tripeptide, Glu-Asp-Arg (the EDR peptide), from the Russian peptide-bioregulator family designed to mimic short signaling peptides found in brain tissue. It is studied as a neuroprotective and antioxidant compound, with researchers proposing it protects neurons from oxidative stress and supports cognition. Be clear-eyed about the evidence: it is essentially all cell-culture and animal work from a small set of related labs, with no human clinical trials and no regulatory approval.
BioregulatorsVilon
PreclinicalVilon is a synthetic dipeptide, Lys-Glu (lysine-glutamic acid), one of the short peptide bioregulators developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology in Russia. It is marketed in the anti-aging and immune-support space as a thymus-related bioregulator, but the real evidence base is almost entirely Russian animal studies. There are no registered Western randomized human clinical trials, so any human claims should be read with heavy skepticism.
BioregulatorsLivagen
PreclinicalLivagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala, or KEDA) from the family of short "peptide bioregulators" developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group in St. Petersburg, marketed in connection with liver and immune function. The proposed appeal is epigenetic: it has been reported to loosen tightly packed chromatin in aged cells, supposedly switching age-silenced genes back on. Evidence is limited to small laboratory and cell studies, mostly from one research group, with no clinical trials, so claims should be read with heavy skepticism.
BioregulatorsOvagen
PreclinicalOvagen is a synthetic ultra-short peptide, marketed as the tripeptide Glu-Asp-Leu (EDL), and grouped with the Khavinson-style "peptide bioregulators" promoted for liver and gastrointestinal support. Like its cousins in that family, it is claimed to act at the gene-expression level in a tissue-specific way. The honest picture: there is very little verifiable scientific data on Ovagen specifically, no clinical trials, and most of what is written about it comes from vendors rather than peer-reviewed research.
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