Cartalax
Cartalax (AED) is a synthetic tripeptide bioregulator that modulates fibroblast function across multiple tissues, studied for its geroprotective effects on skin, cartilage, and kidney tissue. Research demonstrates it increases cell proliferation and reduces senescence markers through regulation of Ki-67, p53, and SIRT-6 pathways.
Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp) classified as a polyfunctional bioregulatory peptide with primary effects on fibroblasts across multiple tissue types. Its geroprotective properties have been demonstrated in skin, cartilage-related connective tissue, and renal cell cultures, where it reduces markers of cellular senescence and restores more youthful patterns of gene expression.
Overview
Cartalax is one of several short bioregulatory peptides characterized as polyfunctional due to its effects on processes common to many tissue types. Because fibroblasts are ubiquitous cells found in skin, cartilage, blood vessels, and kidneys, Cartalax exerts broad systemic influence. Research indicates the peptide increases cell proliferation rates and beneficially alters levels of cytokines and signaling molecules associated with senescence. It is classified as a geroprotective bioregulator because it reduces cellular aging markers, restores function to senescent cells, and appears to slow overall tissue deterioration.
Mechanism of Action
Cartalax affects multiple molecular pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix homeostasis:
- Proliferation: Increases Ki-67 and CD98hc expression, both of which decline during cellular aging
- Anti-apoptotic: Decreases p53 signaling and suppresses caspase-mediated apoptosis
- Senescence markers: Reduces p16 and p21 protein levels in aging cells
- SIRT-6 activation: Increases SIRT-6 expression, low levels of which are thought to trigger cellular senescence
- NF-kB modulation: Activates NF-kB signaling pathways involved in immune regulation and cell survival
- MMP regulation: Inhibits MMP-9 synthesis (which increases during skin aging) while balancing MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-8 activity to normalize extracellular matrix turnover
This combination of effects makes Cartalax a balancing agent for fibroblast function, normalizing the equilibrium between tissue breakdown and regeneration, with the most pronounced effects observed in older cells.
Reconstitution Calculator
Cartalax
Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp) classified as a polyfunctional
Set up a clean workspace with all supplies ready.
7x / week for weeks
Research
Skin Fibroblast Regulation
Cartalax boosts proliferation, tissue regeneration, and extracellular matrix remodeling in skin, particularly in older animals, while decreasing apoptosis. Lin'kova et al. (2016) demonstrated that Cartalax and similar peptides inhibit MMP-9 synthesis in aging skin while enhancing Ki-67 and CD98hc expression and suppressing caspase-mediated apoptosis. The peptide has been shown to stimulate skin cell proliferation, improve microcirculation, and increase functional activity of skin fibroblasts, leading to improvements in carnosine, collagen, cytokine, and growth factor production.
Cartilage and Connective Tissue
While no studies have tested Cartalax directly in cartilage, its broad effects on fibroblasts are highly relevant to cartilage health. Fibroblasts are the primary regulators of cartilage homeostasis (Ellman et al., 2013), and Cartalax modulates many of the key signaling molecules involved, including AP-1, NF-kB, c-jun, CCN1, TGF-B, TNF-a, and multiple MMPs. By normalizing fibroblast function and balancing the equilibrium between collagen deposition and breakdown, Cartalax is being investigated in conditions including arthritis, osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, and gout.
Kidney Cell Renewal
Research in renal tissue cultures revealed that polypeptide isolates from calf kidneys containing Cartalax (AED) and T-35 (EDL) stimulated cell renewal in older rat kidneys by increasing Ki-67 and decreasing p53 (Chalisova et al., 2015). Further studies in renal cell cultures confirmed that Cartalax increases cell proliferation while decreasing senescence markers p16, p21, and p53, and importantly increases SIRT-6 expression, which is heavily correlated with cellular aging.
Gene Expression and Aging
Studies on human mesenchymal stem cell cultures demonstrated that Cartalax and other short bioregulators affect expression of genes central to the aging process, including IGF1, FOXO1, TERT, TNKS2, and NF-kB, with changes ranging from 1.6- to 5.6-fold (Ashapkin et al., 2020).
Safety Profile
Cartalax has been studied in cell cultures and animal models with no significant adverse effects reported. Its mechanism as a balancing agent for fibroblast function, rather than a unidirectional stimulator, may contribute to a favorable safety profile. The peptide normalizes rather than overdrives cellular processes, with effects most pronounced in senescent cells. However, formal human clinical trials and toxicology data remain limited in the published literature.
Pharmacokinetic Profile
- Half-life
- Minutes (short peptide); effects persist via epigenetic changes
Quick Start
- Typical Dose
- 100-200mcg oral (1-2 capsules) or 700-1400mcg injectable
- Frequency
- 1-2 times daily with meals (oral) or once daily (injectable)
- Route
- Oral, Subcutaneous
- Cycle Length
- 1-3 months depending on application
- Storage
- Oral capsules: room temperature; Injectable lyophilized: 2-8°C; Reconstituted: 2-8°C refrigerated
Molecular Structure
- Formula
- C12H19N3O8
- Weight
- 333.29 Da
- Length
- 3 amino acids
- CAS
- Not available
- PubChem CID
- 87815447
- Exact Mass
- 333.1172 Da
- LogP
- -4.9
- TPSA
- 196 Ų
- H-Bond Donors
- 6
- H-Bond Acceptors
- 9
- Rotatable Bonds
- 10
- Complexity
- 493
Identifiers (SMILES, InChI)
InChI=1S/C12H19N3O8/c1-5(13)10(20)14-6(2-3-8(16)17)11(21)15-7(12(22)23)4-9(18)19/h5-7H,2-4,13H2,1H3,(H,14,20)(H,15,21)(H,16,17)(H,18,19)(H,22,23)/t5-,6-,7-/m0/s1
KXEVYGKATAMXJJ-ACZMJKKPSA-NResearch Indications
Joint Health
Clinical efficacy shown in osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis treatment.
Supports cartilage maintenance and joint function.
Supports bone and connective tissue healing.
Skin Health
Increased Ki-67 expression with suppressed apoptosis in young and aged cells.
Enhances collagen synthesis in connective tissue.
Inhibited MMP-9 synthesis; maintained extracellular matrix integrity.
Research Protocols
oral
Capsule form; do not chew, swallow whole with water during meals.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Support | 100-200mcg (1-2 capsules) | 1-2x daily with meals | —(Route: Oral) |
subcutaneous Injection
Cartilage/musculoskeletal bioregulator. Higher dose protocol with titration.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loading phase | 2,000 mcg (2 mg) | Once daily | Weeks 1-2 |
| Escalation 1 | 3,000 mcg (3 mg) | Once daily | Weeks 3-4 |
| Escalation 2 | 4,000 mcg (4 mg) | Once daily | Weeks 5-8 |
| Full dose | 5,000 mcg (5 mg) | Once daily | Weeks 9-12(Cycle 8-12 weeks, extendable to 16) |
Reconstitution Guide (20mg vial + 3mL BAC water)
- Wipe vial tops with alcohol swab
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water into syringe
- Inject slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial
- Gently swirl to dissolve — never shake
- Resulting concentration: 6.67 mg/mL
- For 2,000 mcg (2 mg) dose: draw 30 units (0.30 mL)
- For 3,000 mcg (3 mg) dose: draw 45 units (0.45 mL)
- For 5,000 mcg (5 mg) dose: draw 75 units (0.75 mL)
- Store reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2-8°C
topical
Solution applied to face, neck, hands, or superficial joint areas.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Rejuvenation | 0.5-1ml solution | 2x daily | —(Route: Topical) |
Interactions
What to Expect
What to Expect
Establishing baseline; minimal noticeable changes
Gradual improvement in joint comfort
Noticeable mobility improvements
Maximum therapeutic effect achieved
Safety Profile
Common Side Effects
- No reported side effects in Russian clinical use when taken properly
- Well-tolerated in elderly patients
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active cancer (theoretical proliferation risk)
Discontinue If
- Allergic reactions
- Digestive upset (rare with proper administration)
- No improvement after 3 months
- Unexpected symptoms
Quality Indicators
What to look for
- Professional Russian packaging with holographic seals
- Exactly 0.1mg (100mcg) AC-4 peptide complex per capsule
- Clear Russian/English instructions specifying 'with meals'
Caution
- Proper documentation required for authenticity
- Import verification needed
Red flags
- Missing holographic seals or professional packaging
- Unclear dosing instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
References (9)
- [1]Fibroblast Proliferation Study (2019)
- [2]Kidney Cell Culture Research (2020)
- [3]Clinical Spine & Joint Study (Russia)
- [4]Matrix Metalloproteinase Research (2020)
- [1][Lin'kova NS et al. (2016). Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro. Bull Exp Biol Med (2016)
- [2][Ellman MB et al. (2013). Fibroblast growth factor control of cartilage homeostasis. J Cell Biochem (2013)
- [3][Chalisova NI et al. (2015). Peptide Regulation of Cells Renewal Processes in Kidney Tissue Cultures from Young and Old Animals. Bull Exp Biol Med (2015)
- [5][Khavinson VK et al. (2021). Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis in Bronchial Epithelium. Molecules (2021)
- [4][Ashapkin V et al. (2020). Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides. Mol Biol Rep (2020)
Cardiogen
Cardiogen (AEDR) is a synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator that modulates fibroblast activity in cardiac tissue, studied for its cardioprotective effects and potential anti-tumor properties. Research suggests it may improve outcomes in heart failure, hypertension, and sarcoma through regulation of apoptosis and tissue remodeling pathways.
Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation derived from porcine brain proteins containing neurotrophic factors that mimic BDNF and NGF, extensively researched for Alzheimer's disease, stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive enhancement.