N-Acetylcysteine amide is a thiol antioxidant and neuro-protective (neuro-protection) agent that can penetrate cell membranes and the BBB (blood-brain barrier), reducing ROS production.

Physicochemical Properties

Molecular Formula	C5H10N2O2S
Molecular Weight	162.2101
Exact Mass	162.046
CAS #	38520-57-9
PubChem CID	10176265
Appearance	White to off-white solid powder
LogP	0.896
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count	3
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count	3
Rotatable Bond Count	3
Heavy Atom Count	10
Complexity	149
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count	1
SMILES	CC(N[C@@H](CS)C(N)=O)=O
InChi Key	UJCHIZDEQZMODR-BYPYZUCNSA-N
InChi Code	InChI=1S/C5H10N2O2S/c1-3(8)7-4(2-10)5(6)9/h4,10H,2H2,1H3,(H2,6,9)(H,7,8)/t4-/m0/s1
Chemical Name	(2R)-2-acetamido-3-sulfanylpropanamide
Synonyms	NACANac amide
HS Tariff Code	2934.99.9001
Storage	Powder-20°C 3 years 4°C 2 years In solvent -80°C 6 months -20°C 1 month
Shipping Condition	Room temperature (This product is stable at ambient temperature for a few days during ordinary shipping and time spent in Customs)

Biological Activity

ln Vitro	N-acetylcysteine amide exhibited considerable cytotoxicity at 10–20 mM, although it had no discernible influence on the viability of H9c2 cells treated with <1 mM doxorubicin (DOX). N-acetyl cysteine amide (750 μM) decreases ROS levels and lipid peroxidation caused by DOX, and it also restores the GSH/GSSG ratio and antioxidant enzyme activity, including catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) [1]. Methamphetamine (METH)-induced cell death is prevented in human brain microvascular endothelium (HBMVEC) by N-acetylcysteine amide (1 mM) [3].
ln Vivo	The central nervous system is more bioavailable when N-acetylcysteine amide is present. In rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI), N-acetylcysteine amide (150 mg/kg, i.p.) increases mitochondrial bioenergetics, decreases oxidative stress, preserves mitochondrial trough, and enhances cortical protection and functional outcomes[2].
References	[1]. N-acetylcysteine amide decreases oxidative stress but not cell death induced by doxorubicin in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. BMC Pharmacol. 2009 Apr 15;9:7. [2]. N-acetylcysteine amide confers neuroprotection, improves bioenergetics and behavioral outcome following TBI. Exp Neurol. 2014 Jul;257:106-13. [3]. N-Acetylcysteine amide protects against methamphetamine-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in immortalized human brain endothelial cells. Brain Res. 2009 Jun 12;1275:87-95.
Additional Infomation	N-Acetylcysteine Amide is the amide form of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a synthetic N-acetyl derivative and prodrug of the endogenous amino acid and antioxidant glutathione (GSH) precursor L-cysteine, with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Upon administration, N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) increases GSH levels. GSH scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduces oxidative stress and prevents ROS-mediated cell damage and apoptosis. NACA has enhanced lipophilicity and membrane permeability compared with NAC.

Solubility Data

Solubility (In Vitro)

H2O : ~200 mg/mL (~1232.97 mM) DMSO : ≥ 100 mg/mL (~616.48 mM)

Solubility (In Vivo)

Solubility in Formulation 1: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (15.41 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 40% PEG300 + 5% Tween80 + 45% Saline (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution. For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 25.0 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 400 μL PEG300 and mix evenly; then add 50 μL Tween-80 to the above solution and mix evenly; then add 450 μL normal saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL. Preparation of saline: Dissolve 0.9 g of sodium chloride in 100 mL ddH₂ O to obtain a clear solution. Solubility in Formulation 2: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (15.41 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline) (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution. For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 25.0 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of 20% SBE-β-CD physiological saline solution and mix evenly. Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C，1 week): Dissolve 2 g SBE-β-CD in 10 mL saline to obtain a clear solution. Solubility in Formulation 3: ≥ 2.5 mg/mL (15.41 mM) (saturation unknown) in 10% DMSO + 90% Corn Oil (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution. For example, if 1 mL of working solution is to be prepared, you can add 100 μL of 25.0 mg/mL clear DMSO stock solution to 900 μL of corn oil and mix evenly. Solubility in Formulation 4: 100 mg/mL (616.48 mM) in PBS (add these co-solvents sequentially from left to right, and one by one), clear solution; with ultrasonication.  (Please use freshly prepared in vivo formulations for optimal results.)

Preparing Stock Solutions		1 mg	5 mg	10 mg
	1 mM	6.1648 mL	30.8242 mL	61.6485 mL
	5 mM	1.2330 mL	6.1648 mL	12.3297 mL
	10 mM	0.6165 mL	3.0824 mL	6.1648 mL

*Note: Please select an appropriate solvent for the preparation of stock solution based on your experiment needs. For most products, DMSO can be used for preparing stock solutions (e.g. 5 mM, 10 mM, or 20 mM concentration); some products with high aqueous solubility may be dissolved in water directly. Solubility information is available at the above Solubility Data section. Once the stock solution is prepared, aliquot it to routine usage volumes and store at -20°C or -80°C. Avoid repeated freeze and thaw cycles.