Cardiogen is the tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg (AEDR), the member of the Khavinson bioregulator series associated with heart tissue. It grew out of earlier work on polypeptide extracts from cardiac tissue and was later produced as a single defined sequence.
The published research on it is small and preclinical. This guide sets out what the molecule is, how it is proposed to work, and where the evidence stops.
At a glance
| Also known as | AEDR peptide |
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg (AEDR) |
| Length | 4 residues |
| Molecular weight | ≈489 Da |
| Series | Khavinson short peptides (bioregulators) |
| Tissue association | Heart / myocardium |
| Receptor | None identified |
| US status | Not FDA-approved; research use only |
The Khavinson bioregulator series
Short peptides of this kind come from a research program led by Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. The program began with polypeptide extracts from animal organs, then identified short di-, tri- and tetrapeptides within those extracts and produced them synthetically, each associated with a particular tissue.
No receptor has been identified for any member of the series. The group’s working model is that these very small peptides enter the cell nucleus and interact with DNA and histone proteins at specific sites, influencing gene expression and DNA methylation. That model is set out in a 2021 systematic review in Molecules, but it comes largely from the originating group and has seen little independent replication.
Structure and relatives
AEDR shares its first three residues with Cartalax (AED) and with Epitalon (AEDG). It differs from Epitalon only at the final position, where arginine replaces glycine. That arginine gives Cardiogen a positive charge at its C-terminus, unlike the more acidic AED and AEDG.
What the research has looked at
Publications from the originating group describe Cardiogen in cardiomyocyte and fibroblast culture models, reporting changes in markers of cell proliferation and apoptosis and in the expression of tissue-specific genes. These readouts are consistent with the group’s gene-regulation model, but they are measured in cultured cells, not in intact hearts, and few have been reproduced by independent laboratories.
Because the literature is thin, the most useful thing a researcher can do with Cardiogen is treat it as a defined chemical probe: confirm identity and purity on the certificate, include proper controls, and compare against related sequences such as AED and AEDG.
Limits of the evidence
The published work on Cardiogen is small, comes mostly from one research network, and is largely in cell culture and animal models, with much of it in Russian-language journals. How a peptide this short would reach the nucleus intact is the weakest link in the proposed mechanism. Findings should be read as early, preliminary research rather than established biology.
Handling in the lab
Cardiogen is supplied as a lyophilized powder. Lyophilized peptides are normally kept frozen, dry and away from light, and once reconstituted are kept refrigerated and used within a short window. See our reconstitution protocol for technique, and bacteriostatic vs sterile water for diluent choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cardiogen?
The tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg (AEDR), a Khavinson-series bioregulator associated with heart tissue and studied in cell-culture models.
How is Cardiogen different from Cartalax and Epitalon?
All three share the Ala-Glu-Asp core. Cartalax is the tripeptide AED, Epitalon adds a glycine (AEDG) and Cardiogen adds an arginine (AEDR).
Does Cardiogen have a receptor?
None has been identified. The proposed mechanism is direct interaction with DNA and histone proteins in the nucleus.
Is Cardiogen FDA approved?
No. It is not approved by the FDA. Isla Longevity supplies it for laboratory research only.
Purity and certificates
Every batch ships with a third-party certificate of analysis, published by batch number in our COA Bank. View Cardiogen and its current COA. New to reading certificates? Start with how to read a certificate of analysis.
Related reading: Peptide bioregulators explained · What is Cartalax? · What is Vesugen? · What is Epitalon?
References
- Khavinson VKh, Popovich IG, Linkova NS, Mironova ES, Ilina AR. Peptide regulation of gene expression: a systematic review. Molecules. 2021;26(22):7053.
- Khavinson VKh. Peptides and ageing. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002;23(Suppl 3):11–144.
Research use only
Isla Longevity supplies this compound for laboratory research use only. It is not approved by the FDA for human or veterinary use and is not for human consumption. This article summarises published research and is not medical guidance.
