Side-by-side · Research reference

ARA 290vsPinealon

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-DRAFTED12/36 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

Pinealon

Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2014

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2014

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ARA 290

Pinealon

Primary target

Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)

Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014

Pathway

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

Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014

Downstream effect

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

Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014

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 pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014

Antibody development

Not reported in clinical trials

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ARA 290

Pinealon

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 cycle

Duration

28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017

Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.

10-day cycles, 1–2× per year

Evidence basis

Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017 Brines 2015

64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.

Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014

Route

SubcutaneousBrines 2015

—

Timing

Any time of day

No circadian dependence reported.

No specific time

Standard dose

—

5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014

Lower / starter dose

—

2.5 mg / day

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Half-life

—

Hours

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ARA 290

Pinealon

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

Pinealon

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

—

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

Absolute Contraindications

ARA 290

·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290

Pinealon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

ARA 290

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

Pinealon

·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ARA 290

Pinealon

1. Preparation

Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.

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

2. Injection site

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

SQ — abdomen preferred.

3. Timing

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

Daily during cycle, any time.

4. Dosing

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

Lyophilised: room temp. 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

Pinealon

+ Epitalon

Moderate

View Epitalon →

Pinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.

Pinealon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
Epitalon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
Primary benefit: Neuroprotection + telomere preservation

Khavinson 2014 Khavinson 2003