Cortagen
Also known as: AEDP, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro
Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, AEDP) short-peptide bioregulator derived from amino-acid analysis of Cortexin, a polypeptide preparation from cow brain cortex. It was developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology and is reported to act on cortical neurons by entering the nucleus and influencing tissue-specific gene expression. The research group claims neuroprotective and nerve-repair effects; evidence is limited to single-group preclinical and small clinical work, and it is not FDA-approved.
Who's worth your money for Cortagen
Every current seller, ranked by independent evidence — Merit Score, latest COA purity, and live $/mg (size-normalized). Prices refresh daily. Rankings are never paid.
Top Merit pick
Highest Merit Score (96) of 4 scored sellers
$69.97 · 20mg · 99.8% purity
Best value after code
$2.25/mg effective with 10% code
$49.99 · 20mg
Most tested
1 independent COA on file
$54.99 · 20mg · 99.8% purity
Average price
$2.99/mg
Sellers
8
45-day trend
-2.1%
7 of 8 sellers have a current price· 1 stale hidden· 2 unverified hidden
Top Merit pick
🇺🇸 BioLongevity Labs96via Disclosed Labs · 23h ago
$3.50/mg +17.2% vs avg$69.97
20mg
- 🇺🇸 Orbitrex Peptides95
via Disclosed Labs · 23h ago
$2.50/mg -16.3% vs avg$49.99
20mg
no purityBuy code Orbitrex10 · 10% off - 🇺🇸 Peptidology89
✓ verified at source · 23h ago
$2.75/mg -7.9% vs avg$54.99
20mg
- 🇺🇸 Verified Peptides86
via Disclosed Labs · 23h ago
$2.75/mg -7.9% vs avg$55.00
20mg
no purity
Prices observed from public storefronts (last 24h), normalized to $/mg. "Evidence" is Merit's 0–100 Merit Score, derived only from observable verification evidence (methodology on /about); "Purity" is the latest independent COA. Some buy links are affiliate links — Merit may earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and where a vendor offers one, the code shown gets you a discount at their checkout. Affiliate status never affects price data, ranking, or the Merit Score (full policy on /disclosure). Research use only.
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About Cortagen
CAS
335591-03-2
Molecular formula
C17H26N4O9
Sequence
AEDP
Typical dose range
No established clinical dosing; vendor research protocols commonly cite 1-2 mg/day subcutaneous
Half-life
Not characterized in peer-reviewed pharmacokinetic literature; short-peptide bioregulators are presumed to clear rapidly (minutes)
Common research uses
Safety notes
Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use. A Russian/Khavinson research peptide with little independent Western safety or efficacy data; sold grey-market for research use only. Not evaluated by WADA.
Reconstitution
Reconstitute lyophilized powder with bacteriostatic water; refrigerate after reconstitution.
COAs for Cortagen
8 third-party tests across 3 vendors. Each card links to the full report.
For
Cortagen
by Peptidology· batch 1671
For
Cortagen
by Ion Peptide· batch CN20-012026
For
Cortagen
by Ion Peptide· batch CN20-012026
For
Cortagen
by BioLongevity Labs
For
Cortagen
by BioLongevity Labs
Purity not on file
For
Cortagen
by BioLongevity Labs· batch 37-3-45952
Purity not on file
For
Cortagen
by BioLongevity Labs· batch 38-3-45777
Purity not on file
For
Cortagen
by BioLongevity Labs
13 citations indexed for Cortagen
review · 2025
Overview of Epitalon-Highly Bioactive Pineal Tetrapeptide with Promising Properties
Epitalon, also known as Epithalon or Epithalone, is a tetrapeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly (AEDG), which was synthesized based on the amino acids composition of Epithalamin, a bovine pineal gland extract, prior to its discovery in pineal gland polypeptide complex solution.
rct · 2025
Effects of Peptamen 1.6 in Malnourished Patients (or at Risk) With Pancreatic Neoplasia Undergoing Cephalic Pancreaticoduodenectomy (CPD): A Mechanistic Study
Malnutrition is a common challenge in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy (CPD), impacting postoperative recovery and overall prognosis. Nutritional support plays a crucial role in optimising metabolic, inflammatory, and digestive outcomes.
Study · 2024
Short Peptides Protect Fibroblast-Derived Induced Neurons from Age-Related Changes
Neurons become more vulnerable to stress factors with age, which leads to increased oxidative DNA damage, decreased activity of mitochondria and lysosomes, increased levels of p16, decreased LaminB1 proteins, and the depletion of the dendritic tree.
Study · 2023
EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN
In the present study, on the one hand, the epigenetic modification of condensed "old" chromatin was determined, and on the other hand, the influence of peptide bioregulators (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly-Epitalon; Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala-Livagen; Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro - Cortagen and Lys-Glu - Vilon) on condensed chromatin in lymphocytes from old…
animal · 2011
[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]
The polypeptide drug cortexin and the synthetic peptide drug cortagen accelerate the recovery of disturbed individual behavior of ischemic rats with different resistance to hypoxia (high and low resistant rats).
animal · 2007
Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes
Injections of epithalon and cortagen to rats decreased the content of LPO products and reduced oxidative modification of proteins, which was paralleled by suppression of antioxidant activity in rat serum and cerebral cortex.
Research use only — not for human consumption and not approved by the FDA. Nothing here is medical advice.