Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsEpitalon

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited

BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED8/37 cited

ARA 290

EPO-Derived Peptide · Innate Repair Receptor Agonist

4 mgDaily doseBrines 2015 Culver 2017

28 daysPhase 2 durationCulver 2017

Non-erythropoieticSafety profileBrines 2015 Liu 2014

SQ · DailyBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Epitalon

Pineal bioregulator · Telomerase activator

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2003

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2003

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ or IM · Abdomen · Daily for 10–20 days

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Epitalon

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Telomerase activity (proposed); pineal melatonin axis modulationKhavinson 2003

Pathway

EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades

Activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in somatic cells; pineal-axis modulation supports endogenous melatoninKhavinson 2003

Downstream effect

Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014 Culver 2017

Telomere elongation, improved sleep architecture, reported lifespan extension in aged miceKhavinson 2003

Feedback intact?

N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014

—

Origin

11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties

Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from epithalamin (a natural pineal extract)Khavinson 2003

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Epitalon

Standard dose (Phase 2)

4 mg / dayBrines 2015 Culver 2017

Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.

—

Frequency

Once daily

Self-administered subcutaneously.

Once daily during a cycle

Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

10–20 day cycles, 1–2× per year

Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

In-vitro telomerase + Russian clinical trialsKhavinson 2003

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

—

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

Pre-sleep preferred (pineal alignment)

Standard dose

—

5–10 mg / day for 10–20 days, 1–2× per yearKhavinson 2003

Anecdotal community protocol. Russian clinical literature uses similar cycling.

Lower / starter dose

—

2.5 mg / day

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Half-life

—

Hours (estimated)

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Epitalon

Primary effect

Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015

Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.

—

HbA1c

Significant reduction vs placebo

Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.

—

Fasting glucose

Improved in ARA 290 group

—

Body composition

Not directly quantified

Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ARA 290

Epitalon

Injection site reaction

Mild, transient

Mild irritation

Hematopoiesis

None — non-erythropoietic

Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.

—

Cardiovascular

No thrombotic events or hypertension reported

—

Immunogenicity

No antibody formation reported

—

Tolerability

Well-tolerated in Phase 2 trialsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

—

Sleep architecture

—

Improved subjective sleep quality (anecdotal)

Cancer risk

—

Theoretical via telomerase activation in pre-malignant cells

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western RCT data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Antibody formation

—

Not reported

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Epitalon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy or pre-malignant state

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)

Epitalon

·Family history of cancer

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Epitalon

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5–10 mg/mL.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.

SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015

Pre-sleep preferred to align with pineal axis.

4. Dosing

4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Storage

Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

ARA 290

+ BPC-157

Moderate

View BPC-157 →

ARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.

ARA 290: 4 mg SQ · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Frequency: Once daily, same or separate injections
Primary benefit: Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing

Epitalon

— no documented stacks