Cartalax: A Synthetic Tripeptide (AED) for Cartilage Protection
Cartalax is a synthetic tripeptide with the amino acid sequence Alanine-Glutamic Acid-Aspartic Acid (AED) that has demonstrated chondroprotective effects in osteoarthritis by regulating the aging-associated secretory phenotype of chondrocytes. 1
Molecular Composition and Classification
Cartalax is a tripeptide consisting of three amino acids in the sequence AED (Alanine-Glutamic Acid-Aspartic Acid), making it a very short peptide chain well below the 50 amino acid threshold that defines peptides versus proteins 2
This compound should not be confused with "Cartalax" branded polyethylene glycol 3350 laxative products, which are completely unrelated pharmaceutical preparations 3
Mechanism of Action in Cartilage
Cartalax regulates the synthesis of proapoptotic and proliferotropic molecules that form the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis 1
The peptide modulates the pool of signaling molecules in aging chondrocytes, including effects on sirtuin synthesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cytokine production 1
As a chondroinductive peptide, it demonstrates superior reproducibility, stability, modifiability, and yield efficiency compared to natural biomaterials used in cartilage regeneration 4
Clinical Evidence and Applications
Cartalax has shown high efficacy in animal models of osteoarthritis and in oral administration studies in older patients with osteoarthritis 1
The peptide is used alongside other peptide substances like Sigumir (a polypeptide complex from cartilage and bone tissues) for peptide chondroprotection strategies 1
Therapeutic peptides like Cartalax typically have limited oral bioavailability due to proteolytic degradation and low permeability, though the cited research indicates oral administration has been studied 2, 1
Pharmacokinetic Considerations
As a tripeptide, Cartalax would be expected to undergo extensive proteolytic cleavage with a short plasma half-life, typical of unmodified peptides 2
Distribution would primarily occur through diffusion with a volume of distribution likely not exceeding extracellular body fluid volume 2
Glomerular filtration and renal metabolism through proteolysis would contribute to elimination 2
Important Caveats
No FDA-approved formulation of Cartalax tripeptide exists for osteoarthritis treatment in the United States - the only FDA-registered "Cartalax" products are polyethylene glycol laxatives 3
The clinical evidence base consists primarily of animal models and limited human studies in older populations, without large-scale randomized controlled trials establishing definitive efficacy and safety profiles 1
Peptide-based cartilage therapies remain investigational, with current research focused on delivery systems and molecular mechanisms rather than established clinical protocols 4