Evidence Grade E — Very limited evidence. 1 published studies. 0 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
Crystagen is a synthetic tripeptide identified as a component of Thymalin, the registered Russian thymic extract. It is proposed to replicate some of Thymalin's immune-modulating effects as a defined synthetic molecule rather than a crude extract. No controlled human clinical trials meeting Western standards have been conducted.
Crystagen is also known by these brand and alternate names:
Crystagen has no marketing authorisation as a standalone product from any major regulatory agency. A clinical study in elderly patients with impaired immunity reported improved immunological parameters when Crystagen was added to standard treatment, but this study's methodology has not undergone Western regulatory review.
As a defined synthetic component of the approved Russian extract Thymalin (#121), Crystagen represents an attempt to identify specific active peptides from the crude mixture. Products available through unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
Research from the Khavinson group proposes that Crystagen may modulate immune cell populations including T-cell subsets and macrophage cytokine secretion. These proposed effects are based on the compound's identification as a component of Thymalin and on in vitro immune cell studies.
Research suggests Crystagen has approximately 5-6 publications with both animal and human data, benefiting from its relationship to the broader Thymalin literature. Specific immunological endpoints were measured in a clinical study of elderly patients with impaired immunity. However, all data originate from the Khavinson group, the clinical study lacks sample size and statistical reporting details, and no independent replication exists. Products from unregulated channels lack pharmaceutical quality assurance.
PeptideTrace tracks 0 registered clinical trials for Crystagen sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
No trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for this compound.
Crystagen is a synthetic tripeptide bioregulator with the sequence Glu-Asp-Pro (EDP). Its molecular formula is C14H21N3O8 with a molecular weight of 359.34 Da (product code AC-6). Crystagen was identified as a component of Thymalin (a registered Russian pharmaceutical thymic extract) via mass spectrometry and HPLC. No confirmed PubChem CID or verified CAS number has been identified. No pharmacokinetic data exist. Its relationship to Thymalin provides stronger context than most standalone Khavinson peptides.
Research suggests EDP replicates aspects of Thymalin's immunomodulatory activity. Proposed immune effects include increased CD3+ and CD4+ T-cells, normalization of the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and B-lymphocyte activation. The peptide stimulates peritoneal macrophage cytokine secretion (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha). EDP activates VTEC2.H/S human thymic epithelial cell proliferation and enhances thymocyte proliferation. An unusual finding is that EDP promotes heterochromatinization (chromatin condensation) in blood lymphocytes — in contrast to the de-heterochromatinization described for other Khavinson peptides. Research suggests selective anti-tumor activity: EDP inhibits human erythromyelosis K-562 tumor cells while stimulating normal lymphocyte proliferation.
A clinical study in elderly patients with impaired immunity reported that oral Crystagen plus standard treatment normalized immunograms in 82% of patients versus 56% with standard treatment alone, with increased CD3+, CD4+, and normalized CD4+/CD8+ ratios. A gamma-irradiated rat thymus model showed Crystagen preserved thymic architecture, increased macrophages and mast cells, and stimulated PCNA expression. An athlete study reported doubled HSP gene expression and reduced respiratory infection incidence with oral Crystagen. N values and p-values were not reported in available abstracts for the clinical study.
The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
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