Thymalin

Thymus peptide extract · Khavinson preparation

Identifier graph

Cross-references to canonical chemistry knowledge graphs. Each binding is the same identity used in PubMed-indexed literature.

What is Thymalin?

Thymalin is a peptide preparation derived from bovine thymus tissue, developed by the Khavinson group at the St Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is a mixture of short peptides (predominantly di- and tripeptides) rather than a single defined molecule, and belongs to the Khavinson "tissue-specific bioregulator" framework.

Mechanism of action

The Khavinson framework proposes that thymus-derived short peptides selectively bind regulatory regions of immunity- related genes and modulate their transcription. Reported effects include T-cell maturation modulation, dendritic-cell activity changes, and modulation of cytokine profiles in immunocompromised states.

Research context

Investigated in Russian/Eastern European clinical literature for adjunctive use in immunocompromised states, age-related immune decline, and recovery from infection. As with other Khavinson preparations, Western independent replication is more limited.

Analytical specifications

Every batch of Thymalin supplied by NMChem is characterised by reversed-phase HPLC for purity determination and by mass spectrometry for identity confirmation. Certificate of Analysis (COA) documents are issued per batch and made available on request.

Identity is confirmed by electrospray-ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS); the observed mass falls within ±2 Da of the theoretical monoisotopic mass calculated from the residue sequence. Purity is determined by reversed-phase HPLC on a C18 column with a trifluoroacetic-acid-modified water/acetonitrile gradient and reported as the area-under-curve percentage of the main peak at 214 nm. NMChem specification is ≥99% main peak. Material ships as lyophilised powder and must be reconstituted in sterile water or bacteriostatic water immediately before use.

Note: Thymalin is a mixture rather than a single defined peptide; specifications are reported as gravimetric composition and HPLC fingerprint rather than single-component purity.

Browse the COA database

UK regulatory status

Supplied as a research-grade reference standard for laboratory use only. Not a licensed medicinal product in the United Kingdom and not approved by the MHRA for human or veterinary administration. Sale is restricted to researchers, institutions and laboratory professionals; the compound must be retained within research premises. End-user compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (where applicable) and local institutional biosafety policy is the responsibility of the buyer.

Research literature

Selected peer-reviewed publications from PubMed referencing this compound.

  1. Thymalin: Activation of Differentiation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells. Khavinson VK et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2020
    PubMed PMID 33237528
  2. [Geroprotective effect of thymalin and epithalamin]. Khavinson VKh et al. · Advances in gerontology = Uspekhi gerontologii · 2002
    PubMed PMID 12577695
  3. The Influence of KE and EW Dipeptides in the Composition of the Thymalin Drug on Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Involved in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19. Linkova N et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2023
    PubMed PMID 37686182

Related compounds

Other research compounds in adjacent mechanism classes or commonly used alongside Thymalin.

Frequently asked questions about Thymalin

Is Thymalin the same as Thymosin Alpha-1?
No. Thymosin Alpha-1 is a single defined 28-residue peptide (Zadaxin) acting via TLR receptors. Thymalin is a mixture of shorter peptides extracted from bovine thymus tissue, with the Khavinson tissue-specific-bioregulator mechanism proposed for it. The two are distinct preparations.

Get research-grade Thymalin from NMChem

UK supplier · HPLC and MS verified · Per-batch Certificate of Analysis · Tracked Royal Mail dispatch.

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