Cartalax

Overview

Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp / AED) from the Khavinson bioregulator series, studied in Russian preclinical models on fibroblast and chondrocyte cultures. Not FDA-approved; no Western clinical trials exist, and all published evidence originates from a single research group.

Mechanism of Action

Proposed mechanism per the Khavinson model: the tripeptide crosses cell and nuclear membranes and modulates gene expression, with reported in-vitro effects including inhibition of MMP-9, suppression of caspase-dependent apoptosis, and increased proliferation markers in fibroblasts and chondrocytes. Specific transcription-factor targets (e.g., SOX9) are hypothetical.

Research Summary

Evidence is limited to preclinical cell-culture studies from the Khavinson group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Khavinson et al. (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2016; PMID 27259496) showed that AED and related short peptides, applied to skin fibroblasts during replicative aging in vitro, inhibited MMP-9 and suppressed caspase-dependent apoptosis. Separate Khavinson-group reports describe AED effects on rat chondrocytes, but these have not been independently replicated. No human randomized controlled trials and no peer-reviewed evidence of clinical efficacy in osteoarthritis.

Dosing Information

Reported Side Effects

• Limited human safety data
• Injection site irritation (preclinical)
• No significant adverse effects in published preclinical studies
• Theoretical MMP-9 suppression may affect normal tissue remodeling

Research References

• Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro (2016)