What it is
AICAR (50mg) is supplied as a lyophilized reference compound for investigators in metabolic & mitochondrial peptides research. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide. AMPK-activating small molecule investigated as an exercise-mimetic and in mitochondrial-biogenesis research.
Within published references, the compound is most often interrogated alongside controls that match its delivery vehicle and reconstitution buffer, with attention to lot-to-lot purity and identity verification before use in any quantitative assay.
Research applications
Documented research applications for AICAR span several preclinical domains. The bullets below summarize commonly cited research questions; they do not constitute claims regarding human use, therapeutic effect, or any clinical outcome.
- Ampk signaling — preclinical assay endpoints and pathway-specific readouts.
- Exercise-mimetic pharmacology — preclinical assay endpoints and pathway-specific readouts.
- Mitochondrial biogenesis — preclinical assay endpoints and pathway-specific readouts.
- Comparative pharmacology versus the related research compounds listed below, in matched-vehicle preclinical models.
- Lot-to-lot reproducibility evaluations using HPLC, ESI-MS, and orthogonal functional assays.
Common research focus areas include AMPK signaling; exercise-mimetic pharmacology; mitochondrial biogenesis. Investigators routinely use AICAR as a probe for these pathways and as a reference compound in comparative pharmacology against the related research summaries linked at the bottom of this page.
Quality specifications
Reference-grade AICAR is characterized at minimum by reverse-phase HPLC purity (≥98% by HPLC), electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry confirming the expected monoisotopic mass, and quantitative amino-acid analysis where applicable. Cell-culture-grade lots additionally include endotoxin testing by Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay and bioburden screening. Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis itemizing purity, identity, residual solvents, water content (Karl Fischer), and counter-ion content where relevant.
Investigators working with new lots should request raw chromatograms and mass spectra prior to incorporating material into published work, and should validate ELISA or activity-assay readouts against orthogonal mass-spectrometric or functional methods.
Stability & handling
Lyophilized; reconstitute with bacteriostatic water; refrigerate after reconstitution; protect from light. Working aliquots in active use are typically held at 2–8 °C for no more than 14 days, and freeze–thaw cycles should be minimized and documented in published methods. Storage history materially affects published phenotype magnitude and should be reported alongside dose and vehicle in any paper using this material.
Compliance & regulatory framing
This material is provided strictly for research and educational reference. The compound is supplied for in vitro investigation and laboratory characterization only and is not intended for human ingestion, injection, topical use, or any clinical application. Federal and state law treats research peptides and small molecules as non-therapeutic chemicals; recipients are responsible for compliance with all applicable institutional, state, and federal regulations governing handling, storage, and disposal. Order requests are reviewed by the research team and quoted privately; pricing, availability, and supply specifications are subject to change without notice.
For Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary consumption, diagnostic procedures, or therapeutic use. Material is supplied to qualified investigators for laboratory and in vitro work. Recipients are responsible for compliance with all applicable institutional, state, and federal regulations.
Order & Certificate of Analysis
To submit a research-quantity order request or to ask for HPLC chromatograms, mass-spectrometry verification, or lot-specific COA, use the above. A team member will follow up within one business day to confirm pricing, shipping, and any documentation required.
