Cartalax
peptide · headlineResearch use onlyStimulates fibroblast activity, increasing collagen and proteoglycan synthesis
Overview
Cartalax is a synthetic short peptide bioregulator derived from cartilage tissue. It supports regeneration of the extracellular cartilage matrix, stimulates fibroblast and chondrocyte activity, and may alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis and other degenerative joint diseases. Commonly used in short injectable cycles with minimal systemic side effects.
How it works
- Stimulates fibroblast activity, increasing collagen and proteoglycan synthesis
- Promotes chondrocyte proliferation and enhances cartilage matrix regeneration
- Modulates inflammation by regulating cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase expression
Dosing
Standard dose: 4 mg SQ daily for 10–20 days. Range: 2–6 mg daily. Repeat cycles every 3–6 months for chronic joint health. Some protocols split into 2–3 smaller daily doses.
Caution: Preclinical use of Cartalax has involved subcutaneous administration at 100–200 μg per day in short-term studies (7–10 days). No human dosing protocols are approved or validated.
Cycling
- Inject 200 mcg daily for 10–20 days. Repeat every 3–6 months for chronic joint health maintenance. Split into 2–3 smaller daily doses if needed.
Side effects
- Common
- Transient fatigue, mild flu-like sensation (user-reported)
- Mild digestive upset, rare (user-reported)
Stacking & combinations
- With
Cartalax
- Benefit
Enhanced joint regeneration when paired with peptides like BPC-157 or TB-500
Lifestyle support
- Diet
Adequate protein, vitamin C, and collagen precursors for joint and connective tissue support.
- Sleep
Prioritize sleep and stress management.
- Timing
Consistent daily dosing.
- Exercise
Low-impact exercise and mobility work.
Research studies
Studies summarized for educational purposes only. Inclusion does not imply human use; referenced research was conducted in vitro, in animal models, or in regulated clinical trials.
Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides
Ashapkin V, Khavinson V, Shilovsky G, Linkova N, Vanyushin B Molecular Biology Reports, 2020 View source ↗
In aging human mesenchymal stem cell cultures, the AED peptide (Cartalax) was applied among a panel of short Khavinson peptides and modulated expression of aging-associated genes; AED, together with KED and KE, stimulated expression of the NF-kB gene. The study frames these effects within the group's model of short peptides interacting with promoter DNA to alter tissue-related transcription during replicative senescence.
Researchers grew human stem cells until they became 'old' in the dish and treated them with several tiny peptides, including Cartalax (AED). Cartalax changed the activity of certain genes tied to aging and inflammation. This is laboratory cell-culture work, not a study in people or in cartilage.
Effect of short peptides on neuronal differentiation of stem cells
Caputi S, Trubiani O, Sinjari B, Trofimova S, Diomede F, Linkova N, Diatlova A, Khavinson V International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology, 2019 View source ↗
Using human periodontal ligament stem cells, the authors tested short peptides including AED (Cartalax) for effects on neuronal differentiation. A peptide compound containing AED, along with KED, increased expression of the neural progenitor marker Nestin, suggesting a pro-differentiation influence in this in vitro model.
Scientists exposed human stem cells to several small peptides, one of them Cartalax (AED), and looked at whether the cells started to take on nerve-cell features. The peptide mix nudged the cells toward a more nerve-like state in the dish. These are early cell-culture experiments, not treatments in humans.
Tripeptides slow down aging process in renal cell culture
Khavinson VKh, Tarnovskaia SI, Lin'kova NS, Poliakova VO, Durnova AO, Nichik TE, Kvetnoy IM, D'iakonov MM, Iakutseni PP Advances in Gerontology (Uspekhi Gerontologii), 2014 View source ↗
In renal cell cultures, the tripeptide AED (Cartalax) increased cell proliferation, decreased expression of senescence markers p16, p21, and p53, and increased expression of the longevity-associated deacetylase SIRT6. The authors attribute these effects to sequence-specific interaction of the peptide with DNA regulatory regions.
In kidney cells grown in the lab, Cartalax (AED) helped the cells divide more and lowered several molecular markers of cell aging while raising a gene linked to longevity. The researchers propose the peptide works by binding directly to DNA. This remains cell-culture research, not evidence from people. (Note: Cartalax is the tripeptide Ala-Glu-Asp; there are no dedicated human or cartilage trials.)
Verified citations
2 · PubMed-checked- Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro.preclinicalPMID 27259496 ↗
- Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides.preclinicalPMID 32399807 ↗
Reconstitution calculator
Subcutaneous (SQ)= 0.8 mL on a U-100 insulin syringe
Assumes a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL). This is a preparation aid, not a protocol — dose and route are the prescriber's decision. Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); avoid freeze–thaw cycles
Chemistry & PK
- Sequence
- Short peptide bioregulator of cartilage tissue
- Half Life
- Approximately 24 hours
- Degradation
- Rapid enzymatic degradation unless administered subcutaneously
- Molecular Formula
- Not fully disclosed (synthetic peptide complex)
- Tissue Specificity
- High specificity for cartilage, connective tissue, and synovial environments
Bioavailability
- Oral
- Poor bioavailability; not recommended unless specially formulated
- Subq
- Good bioavailability with targeted impact on cartilage and periarticular tissues
Storage & handling
- Lyophilized
store at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) or freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F) for long‑term; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); avoid freeze–thaw cycles
- Reconstituted
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); avoid freeze–thaw cycles
Used for
No condition evidence rows yet.
Legal / compounding
- EU
- Not Approved
- FDA
- Not Approved
- Canada
- Not Approved
- Australia
- Not Approved
Legal status is a hard gate: non-compoundable or delisted agents cannot be filled and are blocked from protocol export. Keep 503A status current.