Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide that mimics epithalamin, a natural peptide produced by the pineal gland. Its primary mechanism involves activation of telomerase, which helps maintain telomere length and supports cellular replicative capacity, with studies reporting an average telomere elongation of 33.3% in human fibroblasts.

Epithalon also influences epigenetic regulation, including histone interactions and gene expression, and shows effects on antioxidant defenses, melatonin synthesis, and immune function. Clinical and preclinical studies suggest potential benefits for longevity, cardiovascular health, visual function, and tumor suppression, though much of the human data originates from a single research institute in Russia and lacks broad international validation.