Thymalin
Also known as Timalin
Thymalin is a complex of polypeptides extracted from calf thymus and used as an immunomodulatory drug in Russia. It is studied mainly for effects on T-cell maturation, inflammatory cytokines and immune aging.
Approved drug substance
Size
1 option- Catalog no.
- TY10
- Specification
- 10mg*10vials
- Per kit
- 10 vials
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Buyers must be 21 or older.
Overview
Thymalin was developed in the former Soviet Union by Vyacheslav Morozov and Vladimir Khavinson as a peptide preparation isolated from calf thymus. As a natural extract, it is a mixture rather than a single defined sequence; work from the same group identifies the dipeptides Lys-Glu (KE) and Glu-Trp (EW) as active components. It is used clinically in Russia as an immunomodulator, and Russian groups have reported on its use in respiratory disease and COVID-19. Most published research comes from the developing group and their collaborators, often in Russian-language journals, and independent replication is limited.
Class: Thymic polypeptide extract
Mechanism of action
How the compound acts, as described in the literature.
In cultured human hematopoietic stem cells, Thymalin reduced expression of CD44 and CD117 and increased CD28, consistent with promotion of differentiation toward mature T lymphocytes.
In lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, Thymalin and its KE and EW dipeptides reduced production of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α.
The developing group proposes that short peptides such as KE and EW bind specific DNA sequences in gene promoter regions and regulate gene expression; this model rests mainly on docking, bioinformatic and in vitro studies.
Published research
Selected studies, each linked to its PubMed record. Summaries describe what the studies reported.
2003
Human observational study
PMID 14523363Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life.
Khavinson VKh, et al. · Neuro Endocrinol Lett
Among 266 older adults followed for 6–8 years, groups given Thymalin, Epithalamin or both during the early years had lower reported mortality and acute respiratory illness than controls; randomization details are not reported in the abstract.
2020
In vitro
PMID 33237528Thymalin: Activation of Differentiation of Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells.
Khavinson VK, et al. · Bull Exp Biol Med
In cultured human hematopoietic stem cells, Thymalin lowered the stem and intermediate-stage markers CD44 and CD117 two- to threefold and raised the mature T-cell marker CD28 about 6.8-fold.
2023
In silico and in vitro
PMID 37686182The 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. · Int J Mol Sci
Docking and bioinformatic analyses linked KE and EW dipeptides to COVID-19-related genes; in stimulated human blood mononuclear cells from four donors, Thymalin and both dipeptides reduced IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α production 1.4- to 6-fold.
Evidence & safety
What the research does not show, and the adverse events and regulatory status it reports.
Most published work comes from the developing group and its collaborators, often in Russian-language journals, and has not been independently replicated. The main human study was observational with no randomization reported in its abstract, and the abstracts reviewed do not report adverse-event data. Thymalin is used as a medicine in Russia but is not approved in the US or EU.
Specifications
All sizes, exactly as catalogued.
| Catalog no. | Product | Specification | Vials per kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| TY10 | Thymalin | 10mg*10vials | 10 |
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Research summaries are provided for educational purposes and do not describe this product’s use.