Vilon

DNot approvedMitochondrial, antioxidant and longevity compounds →Lys-Glulysyl-glutamic acidthymic bioregulator dipeptide
In one paragraphVilon is the dipeptide lysine–glutamate, one of the short synthetic peptides derived by Vladimir Khavinson's St Petersburg institute from thymic extracts and sold as an immune and anti-ageing 'bioregulator'. Its indexed evidence is mice — longer lifespan and fewer spontaneous tumours in the institute's own studies — and cultured cells. No human trial of any design exists. It is not approved anywhere this site covers.
Schematic 3D structure of Vilon
2 residues · Lys-Glu · schematic
Overall gradeD No human evidence
Human trials0
Outcomes graded2
Last reviewed23 September 2026
EvidenceWhat it isHow it worksUnknownsMolecule & PKRegulationQuestionsReferences

What the human research shows

No human data. Grade D describes the record, not the biology.

MetabolicCardioMuscleHealingNeuroImmuneSexualSkinAgeing

Evidence profile0–5

  • Metabolic & weight—0.0
  • Cardiovascular—0.0
  • Muscle & growth—0.0
  • Healing & repair—0.0
  • Neuro & sleep—0.0
  • Immune & inflammation—0.0
  • Sexual & hormonal—0.0
  • Skin & appearance—0.0
  • Ageing & longevityD0.3
Each score is confidence × effect size, taken from the best-evidenced benefit in that domain: the grade (A–D) sets the confidence, the measured effect sets the size. Hover a domain to see the outcomes behind it. Adverse effects are excluded and listed separately below.
OutcomeGradeEffect sizeHuman studiesWhere the evidence comes from
Any outcome in humansDNo human evidenceNot measurable0A PubMed search returns 57 results, none a human trial. The 'chromatin reactivation' work used lymphocytes from elderly donors in culture.1
Lifespan and tumour incidence (mice)DNo human evidenceModerateAnimal onlyFemale CBA mice given vilon from six months lived longer and developed fewer spontaneous tumours in the institute's studies; the same group reports opposite-direction effects in other models.2
AMultiple good human trials, consistentBSome human trials, mostly consistentCFew or weak human studiesDAnimal or anecdotal onlyeffect size · red = adverse

Literature searched to 23 September 2026. Human studies only; animal and cell work informs the mechanism section and nothing else.

What it is

Vilon is one of a family of di-, tri- and tetrapeptides — with epitalon, pinealon and thymogen — that the Khavinson group proposes act as tissue-specific gene regulators. It is the thymic member, sold for immunity and longevity, usually in the same shops and stacks as epitalon.

How it is thought to work

The proposed mechanism is direct binding to DNA and modulation of gene expression, based on in vitro fluorescence and microarray studies. Whether a dipeptide survives digestion or injection to do that in a person is untested.

What is still unknown

  • Everything in humans.

The molecule and how long it lasts

Identity
Formula
C11H21N3O5
Molecular weight
275.30 g/mol
CAS number
45234-02-4
PubChem
CID 7010502

Recorded as lysylglutamic acid

PubChem record, read 23 September 2026.

Pharmacokinetics
Route
Oral or injected as sold
Half-life
No human pharmacokinetic data

No pharmacokinetic study in people.

Regulatory status

European Union
Not authorised

No marketing authorisation.

United States
Not approved

Not FDA-approved.

United Kingdom
Not licensed

Unlicensed.

Australia
Not on the ARTG

Not registered.

Canada
Not authorised

No Drug Identification Number.

Sport (WADA)
Prohibited at all times

Unapproved, so S0 (non-approved substances).

Questions people actually ask

Does vilon boost immunity?
In mice and cell culture, effects are reported by its developers. No human trial has tested it.
Is vilon the same as thymalin?
No. Thymalin is an undefined calf-thymus extract; vilon is a defined dipeptide the same group derived from it. Neither has a randomised human trial.

One page per claimed effect

References

  1. 1
  2. 2

Change log

  • 2026-09-23Initial publication. Grade D: no human study.