What is AICAR 50MG?

AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide), also known as AICA ribonucleotide, is a small-molecule research compound widely used in laboratory studies to investigate cellular energy sensing and metabolic regulation.

AICAR functions as an AMP analog, meaning it mimics adenosine monophosphate (AMP) inside cells. This allows it to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a central metabolic regulator that controls energy balance at both the cellular and whole-organism level.

Because of this mechanism, AICAR is extensively studied in research areas such as:

Cellular energy homeostasis

Metabolic signaling pathways

Mitochondrial biogenesis

Glucose and lipid metabolism

Stress-response signaling

AICAR is supplied strictly for laboratory and preclinical research and is not intended for human or veterinary use.

Chemical Structure of AICAR 50MG

AICAR is a nucleoside monophosphate structurally related to endogenous purine metabolism intermediates.

Chemical name:
5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide

Molecular formula:
C₉H₁₅N₄O₈P

Molecular weight:
338.21 g/mol

CAS number:
3031-94-5

PubChem CID:
65110

Synonyms:

AICA ribonucleotide

Z-nucleotide

Within cells, AICAR is phosphorylated to ZMP, which closely resembles AMP and directly activates AMPK without requiring changes in cellular ATP levels.

What Are the Effects of AICAR 50MG?

(Preclinical & Laboratory Research Findings Only)

AMPK Activation & Energy Sensing

AICAR is best known for its ability to activate AMPK, a master regulator of cellular energy balance. Activation of AMPK shifts cellular metabolism toward energy-producing processes while reducing energy-consuming pathways, making AICAR a foundational tool for studying metabolic regulation.

Mitochondrial Biogenesis Research

In experimental models, AICAR has been shown to activate AMPK–PGC-1α signaling, a pathway involved in mitochondrial formation and function. This makes it valuable in studies exploring mitochondrial density, oxidative capacity, and cellular endurance mechanisms.

Glucose & Lipid Metabolism Studies

AICAR is frequently used in laboratory systems to examine:

Glucose uptake and transport

Fatty acid oxidation pathways

Insulin-independent metabolic signaling

These properties make it useful in metabolic research involving muscle cells, liver cells, and other energy-demanding tissues.

Inflammation & Stress-Response Research

AMPK signaling intersects with inflammatory and stress-response pathways. In preclinical studies, AICAR is used to explore how energy-sensing mechanisms influence cytokine signaling, oxidative stress responses, and cellular survival under metabolic strain.