Ovagen is one of the Cytogen capsules from the Khavinson bioregulator line. It is the tripeptide Glu-Asp-Leu (EDL), sold for “normalisation of liver and digestive tract functions” (manufacturer page). The name misleads many buyers: Ovagen has nothing to do with the ovaries.
The verdict: Ovagen is marketed for one organ and studied in another. Every PubMed paper I found on this sequence concerns the kidney. There is no human study of any kind.
See the peptide bioregulators overview for the class.
At a Glance
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Glu-Asp-Leu (EDL), synthetic tripeptide (“peptide complex AC-3”) |
| Origin | Khavinson group, St. Petersburg; Cytogen product line |
| Proposed mechanism | Gene regulation via DNA binding (modelling); kidney-cell proliferation and antioxidant effects (rat data) |
| Marketed for | Liver and gastrointestinal tract (not ovaries) |
| Route | Oral capsules (Cytogen); injectable research vials also sold |
| Typical dose range | 1–2 capsules (about 0.1 mg peptide each) twice daily for 1 month (label) |
| Evidence level | Limited: rat kidney and cell studies only; nothing on the liver, nothing in humans |
| Regulatory status | Sold as a food supplement; not an approved medicine (FDA, EMA); not named by WADA, falls under S0 |
How it works
The Khavinson group’s docking model puts EDL on the same “ctcc” DNA motif as the lung peptide Bronchogen [1]. Beyond that, the mechanistic work is about kidney cells. In rat kidney tissue cultures, EDL increased the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lowered p53, though less than a natural kidney polypeptide complex [2]. In aging kidney cell cultures it lowered the aging markers p16, p21 and p53 and raised SIRT6 [3], and another study identified the enzyme MMP-14 as its main target in kidney cells [4].
Why a peptide studied in the kidney is sold for the liver is not explained anywhere I could find.
What the evidence shows
Human studies
None. PubMed contains no human trial or pharmacokinetic study of EDL or Ovagen. A search for “Ovagen” mainly returns an unrelated veterinary product.
Animal and cell studies
| Study | Model | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Zamorskii et al. 2017 [5] | Rats, gentamicin nephropathy and kidney ischaemia-reperfusion | EDL prevented oliguria and azotaemia, reduced proteinuria and lipid peroxidation |
| Zamorskii et al. 2015 [6] | Rats, cisplatin acute kidney failure | EDL normalised diuresis, creatinine clearance and sodium reabsorption |
| Chalisova et al. 2015 [2] | Rat kidney tissue cultures | More proliferation, less apoptosis |
| Khavinson et al. 2014 [3][4] | Aging kidney cell cultures | Lower senescence markers, higher SIRT6; MMP-14 as target |
If anything, the data suggest a kidney-protective peptide in rodents. That hypothesis has never been tested in people either.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard course | 1–2 capsules (0.1–0.2 mg peptide) | Oral, during meals | Twice daily | 1 month, repeat after 3–6 months | Label (NPCRIZ Europe Ovagen page; same directions on ipept.eu) |
| “Corrective” course | 2 capsules | Oral, with meals | Two to three times daily | 30 days | Label (supplement directions, ipept.eu) |
| Cytogen-then-Cytomax sequence | Ovagen 1 month, then the liver extract Svetinorm | Oral | As labelled | 1 + 2–3 months | Practice protocol (vendor advice on both sites above) |
| Higher-dose vendor protocols | 2–5 mg a day (MyPeptideMatch) or 10–20 mg a day (Peptide-DB) | Oral | Once or twice daily | 4–12 weeks (MyPeptideMatch) or 10–20 days, 2–3 cycles a year (Peptide-DB) | Practice protocol, vendor sites only; inconsistent with the manufacturer’s label |
| Injectable vial, low dose | 100–500 µg | SC injection | Once daily | 4–12 weeks | Practice protocol (MyPeptideMatch; 100–200 µg guide figure on ZyraTrack) |
| Injectable vial, class standard | 1–2 mg | SC injection | Once daily | 10–20 days | Practice protocol for the class (r/peptidebioregulators, ZyraTrack forum) |
The manufacturer’s own label works out to 0.2–0.4 mg of peptide a day; some vendor sites recommend 10–20 mg, roughly 50 times more. For injection technique: peptide injection guide.
What people report: what works and what doesn’t
Ovagen has very few specific community reports.
Reported to work
- No consistent, specific benefit for Ovagen appears in community threads. Liver-focused bioregulator users mostly discuss Livagen or the extract Svetinorm.
Mixed or unclear
- The basic question of oral absorption is unresolved and argued both ways (r/NooTopics). The Khavinson group’s modelling suggests short peptides could use the PEPT1 transporter [7], but no blood levels have been measured.
Reported not to work / disappointing
- General bioregulator threads include many users who felt nothing from oral courses (Steroidsgrabber forum).
A meaningful trial would test Ovagen against placebo on liver fat or enzymes, or, given the actual data, on kidney injury markers.
Safety and side effects
- No human safety data.
- Digestive or liver symptoms need diagnosis (coeliac disease, reflux, gallstones, fatty liver, hepatitis), not a supplement.
- Mislabelling risk: buyers looking for ovarian support are buying the wrong product.
- Pregnancy: no data; avoid.
Legal and regulatory status
- US: not FDA-approved; imported as a supplement or “research” product without efficacy review.
- EU / Germany: not authorised as a medicine; supplement-style capsules need no proof of efficacy.
- Sport: not named on the WADA 2026 list; falls under S0.
How it fits
Livagen is the injectable liver bioregulator, and Bronchogen shares Ovagen’s predicted DNA binding site. Neither changes the conclusion: there is no human evidence for liver benefit from any bioregulator.
Related Articles
- Peptide Bioregulators: The Khavinson Protocol and What the Evidence Shows
- KPV: The Anti-Inflammatory Tripeptide for Gut Health
- Rapamycin and Liver Metabolic Health
- Peptide Safety: What You Need to Know
Frequently asked questions
Is Ovagen for the ovaries?
No. Ovagen is sold for the liver and gastrointestinal tract. The product for female reproductive health in the Khavinson range is a natural extract called Zhenoluten.
What is Ovagen made of?
Ovagen is the synthetic tripeptide Glu-Asp-Leu (EDL). The manufacturer lists it as peptide complex AC-3 with leucine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid.
Is there research on Ovagen for the liver?
Not on PubMed. The studies of the EDL tripeptide are in rat kidney injury and kidney cell cultures. Liver claims rest on marketing, not published data.
How do you take Ovagen?
The manufacturer's directions are 1–2 capsules twice daily with meals for one month, repeated after 3–6 months. Two to four capsules contain 0.2–0.4 mg of peptide.
What is the difference between Ovagen and Livagen?
Ovagen is the oral tripeptide EDL; Livagen is the tetrapeptide KEDA, usually injected. Both are marketed for the liver, and neither has human data.
References
- Khavinson VK, Lin’kova NS, Tarnovskaya SI, et al. Short Peptides Regulate Gene Expression. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2016. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27909961/
- Chalisova NI, Lin’kova NS, Nichik TE, et al. Peptide Regulation of Cells Renewal Processes in Kidney Tissue Cultures from Young and Old Animals. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2015. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26033601/
- Khavinson VKh, Tarnovskaia SI, Lin’kova NS, et al. Tripeptides slow down aging process in renal cell culture (in Russian). Adv Gerontol. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25946838/
- Khavinson VKh, Lin’kova NS, Polyakova VO, et al. Peptides regulate expression of signaling molecules in kidney cell cultures during in vitro aging. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2014. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24958378/
- Zamorskii II, Shchudrova TS, Lin’kova NS, et al. Nephroprotective Effect of EDL Peptide at Acute Injury of Kidneys of Different Genesis. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28744634/
- 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/
- Khavinson VK, Linkova NS, Rudskoy AI, et al. Feasibility of Transport of 26 Biologically Active Ultrashort Peptides via LAT and PEPT Family Transporters. Biomolecules. 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36979488/
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a prescription or individual medical advice. Ovagen is not approved by the FDA or the EMA.
