Function
While Argireline is a topical cosmetic peptide reported to decrease dynamic wrinkles by partially mimicking the mechanism of botulinum toxin in a non-invasive manner49, Epitalon is reported to increase lifespan and reduce tumor incidence in animals, and to influence differentiation of neural and mesenchymal stem cells; is studied as an epigenetic regulatory peptide36.
Mechanism
While Argireline works as acetyl hexapeptide-8 (Ac-Glu-Glu-Met-Gln-Arg-Arg-NH2), a SNAP-25–mimetic peptide that competitively inhibits SNARE complex assembly, reducing acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions and attenuating facial muscle contraction4959, Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), that has been shown to bind histones and modulate gene expression and chromatin state, with reported effects on pineal function, neurogenesis, and longevity in animal models36.