Cartalax

Why Researchers Study Cartalax

Cartalax is the synthetic tripeptide Ala-Glu-Asp (AED), developed in the Khavinson short-peptide programme. It is the three-amino-acid core of Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly), and it is described as derived from a cartilage polypeptide complex, which is why it is usually discussed in the context of connective tissue and cell aging.

Proposed Mechanism

The working hypothesis behind this peptide family is that very short peptides can cross the cell membrane and interact with DNA-associated proteins at gene promoters, adjusting the transcription of specific genes. Cartalax is therefore studied as a gene-expression modulator rather than as a receptor ligand.

What the Research Shows

Published work on AED is limited and entirely preclinical:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (2020): Ashapkin and colleagues tested AED, KED and KE on aged human embryonic mesenchymal stem cell cultures and measured IGF1, FOXO1, TERT, TNKS2 and NF-kB expression. The short peptides raised IGF1 expression roughly 3.5 to 5.6 fold in both aging models, and all three increased NF-kB expression.
• Skin fibroblasts (2020): Fridman and colleagues compared the KE and AED peptides on the functional activity of human skin fibroblasts during replicative aging in vitro.

These are cell-culture results from a small number of papers, mostly from one research group. They do not show an effect in animals or people, and independent replication is limited.

Relationship to Epitalon

Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) adds a glycine to the AED sequence. Both belong to the same bioregulator family, and they are often compared in gene-expression work on aging cell models.

Handling & Reconstitution

Supplied as a lyophilised powder in a 20mg vial. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water, adding it slowly against the vial wall, and swirl gently until dissolved without shaking. Keep lyophilised vials refrigerated; after reconstitution store at 2 to 8 °C and protect from light.

For research purposes only. Not for human consumption.