All products are sold for Research Use Only. They are not drugs, foods, supplements, or cosmetics, are not approved by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or for human or veterinary consumption. To continue you confirm that you are a qualified research professional aged 21 or older.
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. Not a drug, supplement, or food.
AICAR, also known as acadesine or AICA riboside, is a cell-permeable nucleoside analog that is one of the most widely used tool compounds for studying AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. Synex Bio Labs supplies AICAR for in-vitro and laboratory use, with documentation so that researchers can verify identity and purity before starting work. This page explains what AICAR is, how it is used in research, what quality documentation to expect, and how to handle the material.
AICAR is the common name for 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside. Its molecular formula is C9H14N4O5, and its molecular weight is approximately 258.2 g/mol [confirm from your COA]. It is a small molecule made of an imidazole ring attached to a ribose sugar, and it is not a peptide.
Inside cells, AICAR is taken up and phosphorylated by adenosine kinase to form ZMP (AICA ribotide), a compound that mimics adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Because ZMP resembles AMP, it can activate AMPK, the cellular energy sensor, without the cell actually changing its energy state. That property is why AICAR became a standard research tool. Published literature is searchable on PubMed, and compound data is available on PubChem.
The AICAR offered by Synex Bio Labs is sold strictly as a laboratory research material. It is not an approved medicine or a supplement, and nothing on this page is a claim about effects in people.
AMPK sits at the center of cellular energy regulation, and researchers use AICAR to explore it in several ways:
Researchers should also know that AICAR can act through AMPK-independent mechanisms, which the literature has documented. Careful controls, such as using AMPK-deficient cells or an AMPK inhibitor, help separate the two effects.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product name | AICAR (acadesine, AICA riboside) |
| Chemical name | 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside |
| Class | Nucleoside analog, AMPK-activating tool compound |
| Molecular formula | C9H14N4O5 [confirm from your COA] |
| Molecular weight | ~258.2 g/mol [confirm from your COA] |
| Appearance | White to off-white crystalline powder [confirm] |
| Format | [Crystalline powder / lyophilized, confirm] |
| Package size | [e.g., 100 mg / 500 mg, confirm] |
| Purity (HPLC) | [state only your real figure from the COA] |
| Identity confirmation | [NMR and/or mass spectrometry, confirm] |
| Storage | Store cold, dry, and protected from light [confirm against your COA] |
| Intended use | In-vitro and laboratory research only |
AICAR has quality concerns that differ from those of a typical peptide. It is a nucleoside, so related nucleosides and ribose-containing impurities can be present. The ribose sugar carries a specific stereochemistry, and the compound can degrade with moisture or heat. It is also easy for a supplier to substitute a cheaper, related imidazole compound, so identity confirmation matters as much as a purity figure.
Synex Bio Labs supplies each lot of AICAR with [a certificate of analysis. Describe your real process here, e.g., each lot is tested by an independent laboratory and the report is linked on this page]. A credible AICAR COA should include:
HPLC tells you how pure the sample is, and an identity test tells you whether it is the right compound. You need both. Our guide on how to read a certificate of analysis (replace URL) explains what to look for, and you can use it to audit any AICAR report you receive, from us or from any other supplier.
A purity percentage from HPLC reflects relative peak area at a single detection wavelength. It does not equal the share of the container’s mass that is AICAR, because water and other non-detected material make up part of the powder. If your experiment depends on exact concentrations, as most cell-based assays do, ask for the assay value and base your calculations on it rather than on the stated weight alone. This applies to AICAR as it does to any analytical standard.
Careful handling protects the integrity of a nucleoside compound.
Treating handling as part of quality control protects the material you paid to have tested.
Researchers choosing a supplier for AICAR should compare documentation, not marketing. At Synex Bio Labs we aim to provide:
If you are comparing suppliers, our research supplier vetting guidewalks through a complete process.
AICAR is not an approved medicine. It has been investigated in clinical studies under the name acadesine, which are listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, but that research does not make this product a medicine. AICAR also appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. This product is sold for in-vitro and laboratory research only. It is not intended for human or veterinary use, or for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any condition, and it must not be used as a drug, food, or supplement. By purchasing, you confirm that you are a qualified researcher or represent a research institution and that you will handle the material in line with applicable laws and your institution’s policies. Regulations vary by country and change over time, so confirm current requirements for your region before ordering.
What is AICAR? AICAR, also called acadesine or AICA riboside, is a nucleoside analog that cells convert into an AMP-mimicking compound. It is widely used in the laboratory to study AMPK signaling.
Is AICAR a peptide? No. It is a small molecule made of an imidazole ring and a ribose sugar, not a chain of amino acids.
Is AICAR approved for human use? No. Synex Bio Labs sells AICAR for laboratory research only. It is not an approved medicine, supplement, or food.
What is the molecular weight of AICAR? It is approximately 258.2 g/mol. [Confirm against your COA.]
What is the difference between AICAR and ZMP? AICAR is the nucleoside that enters cells. ZMP (AICA ribotide) is the phosphorylated form that cells make from it. They are different molecules with different molecular weights.
Does AICAR come with a certificate of analysis? [Yes, each lot ships with / links to a COA. State your real process.] The report should include HPLC purity and identity data matched to your lot number.
How should I store AICAR? Keep the sealed container cold, dry, and protected from light, and follow the storage instructions on your label and COA. [Confirm against your COA.]
External references: PubMed: AICAR, PubChem: acadesine, ClinicalTrials.gov: acadesine, WADA Prohibited List
All products are sold for in-vitro and laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary use.
Yes. Every lot is independently third-party tested for identity and purity — ≥99% by HPLC and mass spectrometry — with a lot-matched Certificate of Analysis available to download on this page.
Yes. A lot-matched COA is available on this product page and in our COA library before purchase, documenting identity, purity, and full analytical results.
This product is supplied strictly for laboratory and research use only (RUO). It is not a drug, food, supplement, or cosmetic, is not approved by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or for human or veterinary consumption.
Orders placed before 12pm CT typically ship the same business day from our U.S. facility with tracking. Store the lyophilized material at -20°C, protected from light and moisture.
