Cartalax is the joint peptide of the Khavinson bioregulator family: a synthetic tripeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp (AED), sold for cartilage, joints and connective tissue. It is one of the most popular bioregulators among people with knee osteoarthritis and athletes with joint wear.
The verdict: Cartalax has a coherent set of cell-culture results in aging cartilage and stem cells, which is more than some siblings have. It has no data in people with osteoarthritis or any other joint problem.
For the whole class, see the peptide bioregulators overview.
At a Glance
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Ala-Glu-Asp (AED), synthetic tripeptide |
| Origin | Khavinson group, St. Petersburg; Cytogen product line |
| Proposed mechanism | Reduces senescence markers (p16, p21, p53) and inflammatory cytokines in aging chondrocytes; supports cartilage-gene expression in stem cells (cell data) |
| Marketed for | Osteoarthritis, joint wear, cartilage and bone aging |
| Route | Oral capsules (Cytogen), sublingual liquid, SC injection (research vials; some inject near the joint) |
| Typical dose range | 1–2 capsules twice daily for 30 days (label); 1–2 mg SC daily for 10–20 days (practice) |
| Evidence level | Limited: human cell cultures and rat studies from one network; no clinical trials |
| Regulatory status | Capsules sold as food supplements; not an approved medicine (FDA, EMA); not named by WADA, falls under S0 |
How it works
In aging human chondrocytes, the cells that maintain cartilage, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) shows up as more p16, p21 and p53 and more TNF-α and IL-1α, with less SIRT1. AED normalised these markers in culture, as did a natural cartilage polypeptide complex [1]. In human mesenchymal stem cells aged by repeated passage, AED at 200 ng/ml increased expression of the cartilage genes SOX9, aggrecan, type II collagen and COMP [2]. In aging skin fibroblasts it raised SIRT1, SIRT6 and collagen I [3], and in fetal stem cells it raised IGF1 expression 3.5- to 5.6-fold [4].
These results all come from cells in a dish, at concentrations nobody has shown are reached in human joints after a capsule or an injection.
What the evidence shows
Human studies
None on PubMed. There is no osteoarthritis trial, no imaging study and no pharmacokinetic data.
Cell and animal studies
| Study | Model | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Myakisheva et al. 2023 [1] | Aging human chondrocytes | AED normalised SASP markers (p16, p21, p53, TNF-α, IL-1α, SIRT1) |
| Myakisheva et al. 2023 [2] | Human MSCs, replicative aging | Up-regulated SOX9, aggrecan, collagen II, COMP |
| Fridman et al. 2020 [3] | Aging human skin fibroblasts | More SIRT1, SIRT6, collagen I |
| Ashapkin et al. 2020 [4] | Human fetal MSCs | IGF1 expression up 3.5–5.6-fold |
| Zamorskii et al. 2015 [5] | Rats with cisplatin kidney injury | AED reduced urinary protein and electrolyte loss |
The work is consistent within itself but comes from one research network and has not been reproduced elsewhere.
Dosing
For informational purposes only — this summarises doses used in research and practice; it is not a prescription or individual medical advice.
| Goal | Dose | Route | Frequency / timing | Cycle length | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint maintenance, prevention | 1 capsule | Oral, with meals | Twice daily | 30 days, once or twice a year | Label (supplement directions, ipept.eu) |
| Active joint complaints (“corrective”) | 2 capsules | Oral, with meals | Two to three times daily | 30 days, repeat after 3–6 months | Label (ipept.eu; NPCRIZ Europe Cytogen directions) |
| Injectable course | 1–2 mg | SC injection | Once daily | 10–20 days (one 20 mg vial), 1–3 courses a year | Practice protocol (ZyraTrack forum, r/peptidebioregulators) |
| Knee-focused injection | 2 mg | SC near the knee, alternating sides | Once daily | 10–20 days per round, three rounds reported | Anecdotal (ZyraTrack forum) |
| Low-dose guide figure | 100–200 µg | SC injection | Once daily | 20–30 days | Practice protocol (guide quoted on ZyraTrack; similar ranges on MyPeptideMatch for sister peptides) |
| Osteoarthritis stack | Cartalax + Sigumir capsules, sometimes with pentosan polysulfate | Oral (+ SC pentosan) | As labelled | 30-day courses | Anecdotal (r/peptidebioregulators) |
Peptide content per capsule is inconsistent between sources (0.1 mg per capsule on the manufacturer’s European site, 10 mg per capsule on some resellers). For injection technique, see the peptide injection guide.
What people report: what works and what doesn’t
Reported to work
- Users who ran three rounds of injectable Cartalax with Prostamax describe it as worth repeating (ZyraTrack forum).
- In osteoarthritis threads, people combining Cartalax and Sigumir capsules with pentosan describe less joint pain and no side effects (r/peptidebioregulators). With pentosan in the mix, any effect cannot be attributed to Cartalax.
Mixed or unclear
- Dosing confusion is the most common complaint: guides quoting 100–200 µg sit beside users injecting 2 mg, and capsule and injection doses are often mixed up (ZyraTrack forum).
- Custom synthesis of Cartalax is difficult because the tripeptide absorbs water, so labelled amounts can be off (Longecity).
Reported not to work / disappointing
- In general bioregulator threads many users notice nothing from organ-specific courses (Steroidsgrabber forum).
A proper trial would compare Cartalax with placebo in knee osteoarthritis, using WOMAC pain and function scores and cartilage MRI over at least six months.
Safety and side effects
- No human safety data. Osteoarthritis pain fluctuates, which makes uncontrolled self-experiments easy to misread.
- Injecting near a joint carries infection risk; never inject unregulated material into the joint space.
- Pentosan combinations: pentosan polysulfate carries a known risk of pigmentary maculopathy with long-term use; see pentosan eye toxicity.
- Pregnancy, active cancer: no data; avoid.
Legal and regulatory status
- US: not FDA-approved; imported capsules and “research use only” vials are not approved for human use.
- EU / Germany: not authorised as a medicine by the EMA or BfArM.
- Sport: not named on the WADA 2026 list; falls under S0.
How it fits
For knee osteoarthritis, pentosan polysulfate has small human trials, and PEMF has been studied in patients. Cartalax has only cell data. Exercise therapy and weight loss remain the best-supported treatments.
Related Articles
- Peptide Bioregulators: The Khavinson Protocol and What the Evidence Shows
- Pentosan Polysulfate for Knee Osteoarthritis
- GHK-Cu: The Copper Peptide for Tissue Remodeling
- How to Inject Peptides: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Peptide Safety: What You Need to Know
Frequently asked questions
What is Cartalax?
Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide, Ala-Glu-Asp (AED), from the Khavinson bioregulator programme, sold as Cytogen capsules, a sublingual liquid and injectable research vials for cartilage and joints.
Does Cartalax help knee osteoarthritis?
There is no human trial in osteoarthritis. Cell studies show that AED lowers senescence and inflammatory markers in aging chondrocytes and supports cartilage-gene expression in stem cells, but that has not been tested in patients.
What is the Cartalax dose?
Capsule directions are 1–2 capsules twice daily with meals for 30 days, repeated after 3–6 months. Injectable users commonly report 1–2 mg SC once daily for 10–20 days. None of this comes from a trial.
Is Cartalax the same as Sigumir?
No. Sigumir is a natural cartilage and bone peptide extract (Cytomax). Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide (Cytogen). Vendors often suggest a Cartalax course followed by Sigumir.
Can Cartalax be combined with pentosan polysulfate?
People do combine them, but no study has tested the combination. Pentosan has its own risks, including a pigmentary maculopathy with long-term use.
References
- Myakisheva SN, Linkova NS, Kozhevnikova EO, et al. Peptides prevent the forming of secretory phenotype of chondrocytes associated with the aging (in Russian). Adv Gerontol. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37356100/
- Myakisheva SN, Linkova NS, Diatlova AS, et al. The influence of peptides on the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells during replicative aging (in Russian). Adv Gerontol. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37782646/
- Fridman NV, Linkova NS, Kozhevnikova EO, et al. Comparison of the Effects of KE and AED Peptides on Functional Activity of Human Skin Fibroblasts during Their Replicative Aging. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33231794/
- Ashapkin V, Khavinson V, Shilovsky G, et al. Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides. Mol Biol Rep. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32399807/
- Zamorskii II, Shchudrova TS, Lin’kova NS, et al. Peptides Restore Functional State of the Kidneys During Cisplatin-Induced Acute Renal Failure. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26515176/
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a prescription or individual medical advice. Cartalax is not approved by the FDA or the EMA.
