Product Name
Acetyl-L-cysteine
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
IUPAC Name
(2R)-2-acetamido-3-sulfanylpropanoic acid
InChI Key
PWKSKIMOESPYIA-BYPYZUCNSA-N
SMILES
CC(=O)NC@@H(CS)C(=O)O
Product Introduction
N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is an acetylated derivative of L-cysteine and a widely used biochemical reagent known for its antioxidant, mucolytic, and redox-regulating properties. As a precursor to glutathione (GSH), NAC plays a critical role in cellular oxidative stress regulation and detoxification pathways.
NAC is widely cited in life science literature and is considered a standard reagent for oxidative stress modulation experiments.
Mechanism of Action
1. Glutathione Precursor Function
- NAC supplies cysteine, the rate-limiting amino acid in glutathione synthesis
- Enhances intracellular GSH levels
- Supports cellular redox balance
2. Direct Antioxidant Activity
- Contains a free thiol (-SH) group
- Directly scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Neutralizes free radicals
3. Disulfide Bond Reduction
- Breaks disulfide bonds in mucus glycoproteins
- Reduces viscosity in mucolytic research applications
4. Redox Signaling Regulation
- Modulates redox-sensitive signaling pathways
- Influences NF-κB, MAPK, and apoptosis-related pathways
Typical Applications
1. Antioxidant & Oxidative Stress Research
Widely used for:
- ROS inhibition studies
- Oxidative injury models
- Mitochondrial dysfunction research
- Lipid peroxidation analysis
- Cellular stress response evaluation
Suitable for in vitro cell culture systems and biochemical assays.
2. Cell Culture Applications
- Redox environment modulation
- Protective agent in stress-induced apoptosis models
- Cytotoxicity rescue experiments
- Hypoxia and inflammation research
Common working concentrations range from 0.5–10 mM depending on experimental design.
3. Inflammation & Signal Pathway Studies
- NF-κB pathway inhibition research
- Cytokine expression modulation
- Immune response mechanism investigation
- Redox-sensitive transcription factor studies
4. Toxicology & Drug Screening
- Protective agent in hepatotoxicity models
- Acetaminophen toxicity mechanism research
- Antioxidant control in compound screening
- Evaluation of oxidative side effects in drug candidates
5. Pharmaceutical & Clinical Research
- Mucolytic formulation development
- Liver function research
- Detoxification pathway investigation
- Raw material for pharmaceutical R&D
Advantages in Enzyme Assays
- Maintains redox-sensitive enzyme stability
- Protects catalytic thiol (-SH) groups from oxidation
- Reduces ROS-related background interference
- Supports glutathione-dependent enzyme systems
- Compatible with standard buffer and microplate assays
- Suitable as antioxidant control or rescue reagent
- Water-soluble and easy to prepare
- Cost-effective and widely validated in literature
Key Features
- High purity, suitable for research use
- Excellent water solubility
- Strong antioxidant capacity
- Stable acetylated cysteine form
- Well-documented in peer-reviewed literature
- Compatible with standard cell culture media and buffer systems
Recommended Experimental Conditions
| Parameter |
Typical Condition |
| Detection wavelength |
205–210 nm (direct UV), 412 nm (DTNB method) |
| Buffer systems |
PBS, Tris-HCl, HEPES, Phosphate |
| Optimal pH |
6.5–7.5 |
| Temperature |
RT or 37°C |
| Assay format |
Spectrophotometric, Colorimetric, Microplate, Cell-based |
Related Research Areas
Researchers working in the following fields may benefit from N-Acetyl-L-cysteine:
- Oxidative stress biology
- Antioxidant screening platforms
- Redox signaling pathways
- Inflammation and immune modulation
- Toxicology and pharmacology research
- Cell survival and apoptosis studies
What is Acetyl-L-cysteine used for in research?
It is used as an antioxidant, reducing agent, and glutathione precursor in various biological studies.
How does NAC work in cells?
It helps maintain redox balance, scavenges ROS, and supports glutathione synthesis.
Is NAC suitable for cell culture experiments?
Yes, it is widely used in cell-based assays to protect against oxidative stress.
