Peptide Profile
AICAR
Acadesine · AICA ribonucleotide · 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide; acadesine) is a non-peptide, cell-permeable nucleoside analog and prodrug that is phosphorylated intracellularly to its monophosphate form (ZMP), which mimics AMP to activate…
- Routes
- subcutaneous, intravenous
Educational research information — not medical advice. Review primary sources and consult a qualified professional before any decision.
Educational research tools — not medical advice.
What AICAR is
About AICAR
Converted intracellularly to ZMP, a potent AMPK activator. AMPK activation increases fatty acid oxidation, glucose uptake, and mitochondrial biogenesis — the same metabolic pathways activated by sustained aerobic exercise.
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide; acadesine) is a non-peptide, cell-permeable nucleoside analog and prodrug that is phosphorylated intracellularly to its monophosphate form (ZMP), which mimics AMP to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — the primary cellular energy sensor — producing metabolic effects that partially phenocopy those of exercise and caloric restriction. AMPK activation by AICAR upregulates GLUT4 expression and glucose uptake, stimulates fatty acid oxidation, increases mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1alpha, and suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis; a landmark 2008 preclinical study demonstrated that AICAR administration in sedentary mice increased running endurance and activated exercise-related gene expression programs without physical training, generating significant research interest in its potential as an exercise mimetic. The only published human clinical trial involved intravenous AICAR administration in patients with type 2 diabetes, where it reduced hepatic glucose output and inhibited whole-body lipolysis via AMPK, validating the pathway pharmacology in humans; the exercise-mimetic effects observed in rodents have not been replicated or evaluated in any human study, and no oral or injectable form has been assessed for human performance use in published research. AICAR is not a peptide and has no FDA approval; it is prohibited in sport by WADA, available only as a research chemical, and all performance-related interest derives from preclinical rodent data that has not been translated to human investigation; the IV metabolic effects in diabetic patients should not be extrapolated to an athletic or performance context.
AICAR Benefits & Research Areas
What the evidence says about AICAR
Research Evidence
based on 6 studies · most recent 2026
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
- FDA Status
- Investigational
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
6 sources cited · 6 weak
1 Review · 5 Animals
MiR-27b-3p suppresses proliferation and testosterone synthesis in goat Leydig cells by activating the AMPK pathway through PPARG targeting.
Anim Reprod Sci · 2026
Research found that miR-27b-3p suppresses Leydig cell proliferation and testosterone synthesis by targeting PPARG, which in turn regulates AMPK signaling. This study demonstrated that activating AMPK through this regulatory pathway can partially restore cellular functions impaired by PPARG suppression, revealing a molecular mechanism relevant to testicular development and reproductive function in male goats.
The AMPK-PGC-1α-SIRT3 axis mediates mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction and neuronal senescence induced by Al(mal)(3) exposure in HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells.
Free Radic Biol Med · 2026
Berberine Regulates Hepatic Fatty Acid Metabolism via AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α Pathway.
Chin J Integr Med · 2026
Research found that berberine regulates hepatic fatty acid metabolism and reduces liver lipid accumulation through activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway. This study demonstrated that berberine's effects involve modulating the expression of proteins involved in fatty acid transport, synthesis, and breakdown, with results suggesting potential therapeutic relevance for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease concurrent with type 2 diabetes.
Show 3 more sources ↓
Pharmacological inhibition of TRPM4 channel stabilizes atherosclerotic plaque via inhibiting AMPK-Beclin1-mediated autophagy.
Eur J Pharmacol · 2026
Research found that AICAR, an AMPK agonist, reversed the protective effects of TRPM4 inhibition against excessive autophagy and apoptosis in endothelial cells exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein. This study demonstrated that AICAR's activation of the AMPK signaling pathway could counteract the beneficial cellular responses achieved through TRPM4 channel inhibition in the atherosclerotic disease model.
Spatially resolved in vivo ratiometric imaging of mitochondrial quality control using co-registered confocal-OCT.
Biomed Opt Express · 2026
Targeting AMPK Networks for Male Reproductive Health: Mechanisms and Emerging Therapies.
Cells · 2026
Research found that AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) functions as a key regulator connecting metabolic health to male reproductive processes, including sperm production and testosterone synthesis, with dysfunction linked to reduced sperm quality and fertility issues. This study demonstrated that pharmacological agents targeting AMPK signaling pathways, including AICAR among other approaches, show promise as potential therapeutic strategies for improving male reproductive outcomes in the context of metabolic dysfunction.
AICAR Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Research-use compound with limited human data. Evidence strength varies — see the Evidence section.
No established clinical contraindications. This is an investigational compound with limited human data and has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety in this context. Consult a qualified clinician.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Certificates of Analysis
- Checkable — no result recordedRUO
AICAR · Lot AI002 · May 6, 2026
- Checkable — no result recordedPeptide Tech
AICAR 50mg · Lot AIC-2130 · Jan 16, 2026 · View source COA
99.9%
Purity
PeptideBase reports these lab-published figures and does not itself test, endorse, or certify any product. Confirmed by lab results were matched against the issuing laboratory's own records — either the lab served the document, or its own hosted copy matches ours byte for byte. For every other result the badge states what is known about the lab: that it can be checked and no result is recorded yet, that it can't be checked, or that we have not reviewed it.
PeptideBase provides educational research tools and provider discovery. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing guidance, or dosing instructions. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions — AICAR
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide; acadesine) is a non-peptide, cell-permeable nucleoside analog and prodrug that is phosphorylated intracellularly to its monophosphate form (ZMP), which mimics AMP to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — the primary cellular energy sensor — producing metabolic effects that partially phenocopy those of exercise and caloric restriction. AMPK activation by AICAR upregulates GLUT4 expression and glucose uptake, stimulates fatty acid oxidation, increases mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1alpha, and suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis; a landmark 2008 preclinical study demonstrated that AICAR administration in sedentary mice increased running endurance and activated exercise-related gene expression programs without physical training, generating significant research interest in its potential as an exercise mimetic.
endurance, fat oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, AMPK activation.
Research on AICAR primarily documents effects related to endurance and fat oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis and AMPK activation. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
For AICAR, its FDA status is investigational (not FDA-approved), and it is designated for research use only. Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
5 providers in the directory currently offer AICAR.
Across 13 research vendors tracked on PeptideBase, AICAR has a median price of about $1.09 per mg, typically ranging $0.94–$1.12 per mg. This reflects research-use vendor pricing, not clinical or prescription costs.
How to get AICAR
Market Pricing
13 vendorsPrice per mg varies by quantity, vendor type, and formulation. Research use only.
Data verified September 2026 · AICAR price intelligence
Where to buy AICAR
5 providersCoverage expanding
No providers currently list AICAR. Get notified when one does, or explore providers carrying similar peptides in the Performance category.
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Cite this page
Data last updated September 28, 2026
Free to reference and republish with attribution to PeptideBase. Choose a format:
PeptideBase. (2026). AICAR — Per-mg Price Benchmark. Retrieved October 1, 2026, from https://peptidebase.io/peptides/aicar