Cardiogen

also known as: Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg, AEDR

A Khavinson-group tetrapeptide from heart-tissue extract — proposed to support cardiomyocyte function and cardiac tissue aging; evidence base is Russian-language and largely pre-clinical.

A short tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg) in the Khavinson bioregulator series, derived from bovine myocardial extract and proposed to support cardiomyocyte function and tissue homeostasis in the aging heart via tissue-specific gene-expression modulation.

Mechanism of action

Proposed by the Khavinson group to function as a tissue-specific transcriptional regulator in cardiomyocytes — short peptide binding to promoter regions is hypothesized to upregulate expression of proteins supporting contractile function and resistance to ischemic stress in aged tissue. Mechanistic evidence is preliminary.

Primary uses

Investigational cardiac aging research
Adjunctive use in Russian geriatric cardiology practice

Typical dosing

not established not established (oral (capsule) or intramuscular)

Russian supplement forms use 10 mg oral capsules once daily for 10–20 days as a cyclical bioregulator protocol.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. Marketed as a bioregulator / supplement in Russia and some CIS countries.

References

[review] Khavinson VK, Malinin VV. "Gerontological aspects of genome peptide regulation." Karger AG, Basel, 2005.
[pubmed] Anisimov VN, Khavinson VK. "Peptide bioregulation of aging: results and prospects." Biogerontology, 2010;11:139-149.

Related peptides

Epithalon

A synthetic pineal tetrapeptide from the Khavinson group (St. Petersburg) — the only peptide with published data claiming telomerase activation and telomere elongation in human cell models.

Cortagen

A Khavinson-group tetrapeptide isolated from cortex tissue — used in Russian neurology practice for post-stroke cognitive deficit; evidence is almost entirely Russian-language with minimal Western replication.

SS-31 (Elamipretide)

The first FDA-approved mitochondria-targeted peptide therapeutic — approved September 2025 as Forzinity for Barth syndrome, with broader investigation in heart failure, macular degeneration, and aging.

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.