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AICAR is supplied in the product format and quantity shown for the selected variant. Please inspect the sealed package when it arrives and contact support promptly if the package or labeling appears damaged.
AICAR Research Material
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AICAR research material, an AMP-activated protein kinase activator supplied as a research chemical. Assayed for purity and identity, COA published.
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Product details
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside, also known as acadesine) is a synthetic cell-permeable nucleoside analog investigated for its role as an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator in preclinical models of cellular energy regulation and metabolic signaling.
Molecular Composition and Mechanistic Profile
Compound identity: AICAR is a synthetic analog of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and an intermediate in purine biosynthesis pathways.
Origin: Cell-permeable ribonucleoside that is phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP (AICA ribotide).
Mechanistically, AICAR has been associated with:
Conversion to ZMP, which mimics AMP and allosterically activates AMPK, a central regulator of cellular energy homeostasis.
Downstream effects on metabolic pathways including glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and inhibition of energy-consuming biosynthetic processes.
Modulation of cellular stress responses and metabolic adaptation in experimental systems.
These properties make AICAR a widely used tool for probing AMPK-dependent and independent signaling in laboratory research.
Integrated Research Applications
AICAR is studied across metabolic and cellular energy systems. Representative domains include:
Metabolic and energy homeostasis models: Investigation of AMPK activation, substrate utilization, and adaptive responses to energy stress in cultured cells and animal tissues.
Muscle and exercise physiology models: Examination of endurance-related molecular markers, mitochondrial biogenesis signals, and metabolic flexibility in rodent skeletal muscle preparations.
Cellular stress and survival pathways: Studies of adaptive responses under nutrient restriction, hypoxia, or metabolic challenge conditions.
Comparative AMPK research: Use as a pharmacological probe alongside other AMPK modulators to isolate pathway specific effects in controlled experimental settings.
Overall, AICAR serves as a research tool for exploring coordinated energy sensing and metabolic regulation at the cellular and tissue levels.
Analytical Validation, Formulation, and Storage
NextGenPeps supplies AICAR as a high-purity research compound. Typical quality and handling features include:
Purity: ≥99% verified by HPLC.
Formulation: White lyophilized powder in sealed glass vials, intended for reconstitution with appropriate research-grade solvent for experimental use only. No dosing guidance is provided for any organism.
Storage: Keep lyophilized material in a cool, dark, dry environment; long term storage at or below −20 °C. Store reconstituted solutions refrigerated, minimize freeze thaw cycles, and use within laboratory-defined stability windows.
These conditions support structural integrity and reproducible experimental outcomes.
NextGenPeps supplies AICAR as a high-purity research compound intended strictly for controlled laboratory use in vitro or in established animal models, such as murine systems. This compound is not approved as a drug, diagnostic, or dietary ingredient, and is not manufactured, packaged, or marketed for human consumption, self-experimentation, clinical application, or any use outside properly designed and ethically approved research protocols.
Compound information
- Molecular Formula
- C₉H₁₄N₄O₈P
- Molecular Weight
- 338.21
- Monoisotopic Mass
- 338.0627
- Heavy Atom Count
- 22
Frequently asked questions
How is AICAR shipped?
Orders are shipped within the United States via USPS. Transit times are typically 3–7 business days, depending on destination and carrier conditions. Tracking information is provided when available.
How should AICAR be stored?
Storage requirements are product-specific. Keep AICAR in its original labeled container and follow the product documentation or manufacturer instructions supplied with the order. Contact support if the applicable storage guidance is not available.
What is the refund policy for AICAR?
Due to the nature of research materials, NextGenPeps orders are final and are not eligible for refunds, returns, or exchanges. Review the shipping and reship policies before ordering.
Is AICAR intended for human use?
No. NextGenPeps materials are supplied strictly for laboratory research and development use and are not intended for human or animal consumption, clinical use, diagnostic use, cosmetic use, or dietary use.
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Common research questions
What is AICAR?
AICAR (short for 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a synthetic small molecule, not a chain of amino acids, that's used almost exclusively as a laboratory research tool. It's an adenosine analog, meaning it's built to resemble a natural molecule the body already uses, and it gets taken into cells through the same transporters that normally handle adenosine.
What does AICAR do?
AICAR's main claim to fame is activating a cellular energy sensor called AMPK. Once converted to ZMP inside the cell, it mimics AMP, a molecule the cell normally uses to signal that its energy reserves are running low, and this tricks AMPK into switching on even when the cell isn't actually low on energy. That single switch has wide-reaching effects, since AMPK plays a central role in how muscle manages energy, and once it's activated, it triggers downstream effects tied to mitochondrial health and cellular repair. In diabetic mouse studies, that translated into a real protective effect on nerves. AICAR both prevented and reversed diabetic nerve damage in mice, significantly increasing nerve fiber density compared to untreated diabetic mice.
What is a similar compound to AICAR?
A-769662 is the most common comparison, and it's considered an improvement in one specific way. Unlike AICAR, A-769662 is highly specific to AMPK and works through a distinct binding mechanism that doesn't require the same activation step AICAR relies on, which avoids some of AICAR's messier, AMPK-independent side effects. Compound 991 is another related molecule, described as 5 to 10 times more potent than A-769662 at activating AMPK while working through a similar allosteric mechanism.
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