AICAR is a metabolic & longevity research compound currently in stock directly from a verified Chinese manufacturer. Every batch is HPLC-verified and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Sourcing is direct — no intermediaries. Minimum order value is $600 USD. International shipping available.
AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide), also known as Acadesine or AICA riboside, is a cell-permeable nucleoside analogue and pharmacological activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). After cellular uptake, AICAR is phosphorylated to ZMP (AICA ribonucleotide) — a structural analogue of AMP — which allosterically activates AMPK by mimicking the energy-depleted state (high AMP/ATP ratio). AMPK is the master sensor of cellular energy status, regulating metabolic switching, mitochondrial biogenesis, glucose uptake, and fatty acid oxidation across virtually all tissues.
Preclinical research using AICAR as a pharmacological AMPK activator spans metabolic research, exercise physiology, cardiac protection, and cancer biology. In rodent models, AICAR administration produces effects resembling endurance exercise: increased skeletal muscle GLUT4 expression, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis (via PGC-1α), and improved insulin sensitivity. In cardiac ischemia-reperfusion models, AMPK activation by AICAR has been studied for protective effects on cardiomyocyte survival and energy restoration. In oncology research, AICAR's AMPK-activating and adenosine kinase-inhibiting properties have been studied in cancer cell line and xenograft models.
PeptidesFromChina.co supplies AICAR as a lyophilized powder at 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC. Certificate of Analysis accompanies every batch. All products are for laboratory research use only and are not for human consumption.
| Chemical Class | Nucleoside analogue / AMPK activator |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Acadesine, AICA riboside, AICA ribonucleoside, 5-Amino-1-β-D-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide |
| Molecular Formula | C₉H₁₄N₄O₅ |
| Molecular Weight | 338.2 Da |
| CAS Number | 2627-69-2 |
| PubChem CID | 11665 |
| Primary Mechanism | AMPK activation via ZMP (intracellular phosphorylate), AMP mimicry |
| Research Areas | AMPK biology, metabolic research, exercise mimetic studies, cardiac protection, oncology research |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Storage | −20°C long-term; 2-8°C aqueous (use within 1 week) |
| Sequence | N/A — nucleoside analogue (not a peptide) |
| Name | Strength | Pack Size | Purity | Availability | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AICAR | 50 mg | 10 vials | ≥98% | In Stock | $82.00 |
Testing method: HPLC / LC-MS (["LC-MS","HPLC","Water Content"]). Every batch is tested before shipment. Purity ≥99% confirmed per batch.
Certificate of Analysis: Manufacturer COA. Documentation is available for every batch sold.
AICAR is the most widely used pharmacological tool for AMPK activation in cell culture and in vivo research. Its intracellular conversion to ZMP — an AMP analogue — activates AMPK's CBS regulatory domains, mimicking the high-AMP signal of cellular energy depletion. Research has used AICAR to study AMPK's downstream effects on glucose uptake (GLUT4 translocation), fatty acid oxidation (CPT-1 regulation), and protein synthesis inhibition (mTORC1 suppression) in metabolic research contexts.
Rodent studies have examined AICAR as a pharmacological exercise mimetic — capable of producing skeletal muscle adaptations resembling endurance training without physical activity. Studies have documented AICAR-induced increases in oxidative enzyme expression, mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1α, and shift toward fatigue-resistant fiber type markers. These studies established AICAR as the reference 'exercise in a bottle' compound in exercise physiology research, while clarifying mechanistic differences from actual exercise adaptation.
In cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) models, AICAR-mediated AMPK activation has been studied for cardioprotective effects including improved myocardial energetics, reduced infarct size, and preservation of mitochondrial function. AMPK's role in activating glycolysis and inhibiting fatty acid oxidation (paradoxically, in the ischemic context) during ischemia makes AMPK a pharmacological target in cardiac research, with AICAR as a primary tool compound.
AICAR enters cells and is phosphorylated by adenosine kinase to ZMP (AICA ribonucleotide), which structurally resembles AMP. ZMP allosterically binds to the CBS regulatory domains of the AMPK β and γ subunits, mimicking the high-AMP state of energy-depleted cells. This activates AMPK's kinase domain — the same mechanism by which elevated cellular AMP activates AMPK during exercise or caloric restriction.
Metformin activates AMPK indirectly via mitochondrial Complex I inhibition, which raises the AMP/ATP ratio and secondarily activates AMPK. AICAR activates AMPK directly via ZMP accumulation without affecting mitochondrial function. AICAR is preferred in research when direct AMPK activation without mitochondrial confounds is required.
AICAR is supplied at 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC. Certificate of Analysis from the manufacturing facility is included with every batch.
Lyophilized AICAR should be stored at −20°C. Aqueous solutions should be kept at 2-8°C and used within 1 week. AICAR is stable in neutral to slightly acidic aqueous solutions.
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. PeptidesFromChina.co is a B2B wholesale supplier operating under strict research-use-only terms. All products are sold exclusively for in vitro and preclinical research purposes.