Buy AICAR Research Nucleotide

What is AICAR?

AICAR is a research compound that switches on AMPK, an enzyme cells use to sense and manage their energy. It is widely used in laboratory and animal research as a standard tool for turning this pathway on. AICAR is a nucleoside compound, not a peptide.

• Switches on AMPK, an enzyme involved in how cells sense and manage energy
• Used in laboratory and rodent research as a standard tool for activating the AMPK pathway
• Studied in cell and animal research for its effects on how cells use energy
• A nucleoside compound (not a peptide) used as a reference tool in metabolism research

For research use only. Not approved for human therapeutic use.

AICAR (CAS 2627-69-2), formally designated 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranoside and also known as Acadesine, is a cell-permeable nucleoside analogue with the molecular formula C9H14N4O8 and a molecular weight of 258.23 g/mol. Unlike the peptide compounds in this catalogue, AICAR is a purine biosynthesis intermediate whose mechanism of action centres on its intracellular phosphorylation to ZMP (AICA ribotide), which acts as an allosteric activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Acadesine is produced via chemical synthesis and is widely used as a pharmacological tool compound in metabolic and cellular energy sensing research.

AICAR has been extensively investigated in preclinical metabolic research as one of the most frequently referenced AMPK activators. Its conversion to ZMP has been characterised in published studies as mimicking the intracellular accumulation of AMP, with downstream AMPK activation and phosphorylation cascades documented in intact cell preparations examining cellular energy homeostasis-related signalling. In vitro studies in rat hepatocyte preparations have examined AICAR-mediated AMPK activation kinetics and downstream metabolic signalling, characterising intracellular ZMP accumulation as the primary basis of AMPK engagement in intact cells and documenting downstream effects on fatty acid oxidation and related metabolic pathways as readouts of pharmacological AMPK activation [1]. In vivo rodent studies in rat skeletal muscle tissue have investigated AICAR-mediated AMPK activation, with published research documenting increases in mitochondrial enzyme expression as markers of pharmacological AMPK engagement and characterising downstream mitochondrial biogenesis-related adaptations under controlled experimental conditions [2], making Acadesine a key reference compound in AMPK activation research across metabolic and cellular energy sensing models.

AICAR is produced to research-grade standards and independently verified by third-party HPLC and MS-UPLC analysis before dispatch. Vials are vacuum sealed and stored in a temperature controlled, monitored cold storage system. Certificates of Analysis are available on request.

Sold strictly for in vitro research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Intended for use by qualified researchers in laboratory settings only.

References

1Corton JM, Gillespie JG, Hawley SA, Hardie DG. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside. A specific method for activating AMP-activated protein kinase in intact cells? Eur J Biochem. 1995 Apr 15;229(2):558–65. .PubMed PMID: 77440802Winder WW, Holmes BF, Rubink DS, Jensen EB, Chen M, Holloszy JO. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase increases mitochondrial enzymes in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000 Jun;88(6):2219–26. .PubMed PMID: 10846039

Scientific Review

Dr. Martina Rossi, PhD

Scientific Contributor and Reviewer

Reviewed for scientific accuracy, 14 June 2026

View credentials →

AICAR (CAS 2627-69-2), formally designated 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranoside and also known as Acadesine, is a cell-permeable nucleoside analogue with the molecular formula C9H14N4O8 and a molecular weight of 258.23 g/mol. Unlike the peptide compounds in this catalogue, AICAR is a purine biosynthesis intermediate whose mechanism of action centres on its intracellular phosphorylation to ZMP (AICA ribotide), which acts as an allosteric activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Acadesine is produced via chemical synthesis and is widely used as a pharmacological tool compound in metabolic and cellular energy sensing research.

AICAR has been extensively investigated in preclinical metabolic research as one of the most frequently referenced AMPK activators. Its conversion to ZMP has been characterised in published studies as mimicking the intracellular accumulation of AMP, with downstream AMPK activation and phosphorylation cascades documented in intact cell preparations examining cellular energy homeostasis-related signalling. In vitro studies in rat hepatocyte preparations have examined AICAR-mediated AMPK activation kinetics and downstream metabolic signalling, characterising intracellular ZMP accumulation as the primary basis of AMPK engagement in intact cells and documenting downstream effects on fatty acid oxidation and related metabolic pathways as readouts of pharmacological AMPK activation [1]. In vivo rodent studies in rat skeletal muscle tissue have investigated AICAR-mediated AMPK activation, with published research documenting increases in mitochondrial enzyme expression as markers of pharmacological AMPK engagement and characterising downstream mitochondrial biogenesis-related adaptations under controlled experimental conditions [2], making Acadesine a key reference compound in AMPK activation research across metabolic and cellular energy sensing models.

AICAR is produced to research-grade standards and independently verified by third-party HPLC and MS-UPLC analysis before dispatch. Vials are vacuum sealed and stored in a temperature controlled, monitored cold storage system. Certificates of Analysis are available on request.

Sold strictly for in vitro research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Intended for use by qualified researchers in laboratory settings only.

References

1Corton JM, Gillespie JG, Hawley SA, Hardie DG. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside. A specific method for activating AMP-activated protein kinase in intact cells? Eur J Biochem. 1995 Apr 15;229(2):558–65. .PubMed PMID: 77440802Winder WW, Holmes BF, Rubink DS, Jensen EB, Chen M, Holloszy JO. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase increases mitochondrial enzymes in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000 Jun;88(6):2219–26. .PubMed PMID: 10846039

Scientific Review

Dr. Martina Rossi, PhD

Scientific Contributor and Reviewer

Reviewed for scientific accuracy, 14 June 2026

View credentials →CAS Number2627-69-2Molecular Weight258.23 g/molPurity≥98%Physical FormLyophilised PowderManufacturingManufactured in an ISO9001 Certified LaboratoryTestingHPLC + MS-UPLCSKUAICAR50

Lyophilised powder: store at -20 °C or below, away from light and moisture. Once reconstituted in an appropriate laboratory diluent (e.g. sterile water, PBS, or assay buffer), store at 2–8 °C and use within the validated period for your protocol. Do not refreeze.

AICAR (CAS 2627-69-2), formally designated 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranoside and also known as Acadesine, is a cell-permeable nucleoside analogue with the molecular formula C9H14N4O8 and a molecular weight of 258.23 g/mol. Unlike the peptide compounds in this catalogue, AICAR is a purine biosynthesis intermediate whose mechanism of action centres on its intracellular phosphorylation to ZMP (AICA ribotide), which acts as an allosteric activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Acadesine is produced via chemical synthesis and is widely used as a pharmacological tool compound in metabolic and cellular energy sensing research.

AICAR has been extensively investigated in preclinical metabolic research as one of the most frequently referenced AMPK activators. Its conversion to ZMP has been characterised in published studies as mimicking the intracellular accumulation of AMP, with downstream AMPK activation and phosphorylation cascades documented in intact cell preparations examining cellular energy homeostasis-related signalling. In vitro studies in rat hepatocyte preparations have examined AICAR-mediated AMPK activation kinetics and downstream metabolic signalling, characterising intracellular ZMP accumulation as the primary basis of AMPK engagement in intact cells and documenting downstream effects on fatty acid oxidation and related metabolic pathways as readouts of pharmacological AMPK activation [1]. In vivo rodent studies in rat skeletal muscle tissue have investigated AICAR-mediated AMPK activation, with published research documenting increases in mitochondrial enzyme expression as markers of pharmacological AMPK engagement and characterising downstream mitochondrial biogenesis-related adaptations under controlled experimental conditions [2], making Acadesine a key reference compound in AMPK activation research across metabolic and cellular energy sensing models.

AICAR is produced to research-grade standards and independently verified by third-party HPLC and MS-UPLC analysis before dispatch. Vials are vacuum sealed and stored in a temperature controlled, monitored cold storage system. Certificates of Analysis are available on request.

Sold strictly for in vitro research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Intended for use by qualified researchers in laboratory settings only.

References

1Corton JM, Gillespie JG, Hawley SA, Hardie DG. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside. A specific method for activating AMP-activated protein kinase in intact cells? Eur J Biochem. 1995 Apr 15;229(2):558–65. .PubMed PMID: 77440802Winder WW, Holmes BF, Rubink DS, Jensen EB, Chen M, Holloszy JO. Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase increases mitochondrial enzymes in skeletal muscle. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2000 Jun;88(6):2219–26. .PubMed PMID: 10846039

Scientific Review

Dr. Martina Rossi, PhD

Scientific Contributor and Reviewer

Reviewed for scientific accuracy, 14 June 2026

View credentials →CAS Number2627-69-2Molecular Weight258.23 g/molPurity≥98%Physical FormLyophilised PowderManufacturingManufactured in an ISO9001 Certified LaboratoryTestingHPLC + MS-UPLCSKUAICAR50

Lyophilised powder: store at -20 °C or below, away from light and moisture. Once reconstituted in an appropriate laboratory diluent (e.g. sterile water, PBS, or assay buffer), store at 2–8 °C and use within the validated period for your protocol. Do not refreeze.