Description
NAD⁺ (β-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) | 200 mg/mL
BioChain USA · Research use only
⚠For research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. This compound is sold exclusively for in vitro research, laboratory, and analytical purposes by BioChain USA. It is not a drug, supplement, or therapeutic product of any kind.
What Is NAD⁺?
β-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is an endogenous dinucleotide coenzyme central to cellular metabolism. Structurally, it consists of two ribonucleotides, one bearing an adenine base, the other bearing a nicotinamide base, connected through their 5′-phosphate groups by a pyrophosphate linkage. NAD⁺ is the oxidized form of the coenzyme; its reduced form is NADH.
In published research literature, NAD⁺ is examined in two principal domains: as the canonical hydride acceptor / electron carrier in cellular redox reactions, and as the obligate substrate for a family of NAD⁺-consuming enzymes, including the sirtuin protein deacylases (SIRT1-7), poly-ADP-ribose polymerases (PARPs), and the ectoenzymes CD38 and CD157.
This second role places NAD⁺ at the center of a large body of published research literature on aging biology, mitochondrial function, DNA damage response, and metabolic regulation.
Note: NAD⁺ is a dinucleotide coenzyme, not a peptide or peptide derivative.
NAD+ in Plain Language
A non-technical overview of what NAD+ is, what researchers have studied it for, what the evidence suggests, and what cannot be claimed about it. For research and educational purposes only.
Research-Use Disclaimer. BioChain USA sells NAD+ strictly as a research-use-only chemical. It is not a drug, dietary supplement, or medical product. It is not intended for human consumption, medical treatment, veterinary treatment, diagnosis, prevention, or cure of any condition. No statements on this page have been evaluated by the FDA.
At a glance
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a natural molecule found in every cell. It powers energy production in mitochondria, helps repair DNA, and supports many of the systems involved in healthy aging. Levels in the body drop measurably as we get older.
In research, scientists are exploring whether restoring NAD+, directly or through related precursor molecules, supports mitochondrial health, neurological function, and recovery from things like post-viral fatigue and long COVID. The compound sold here is a research chemical, not a supplement, drug, or therapeutic product, and is not for human or animal use.
What it is
NAD+ (β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a small molecule that every living cell uses every second. It is a coenzyme, not a peptide. Structurally it is a dinucleotide, two ribonucleotide subunits, one carrying an adenine base and the other carrying a nicotinamide base, linked by a pyrophosphate bridge. NAD+ is the “oxidized” form; its partner NADH is the “reduced” form.
Researchers commonly study NAD+ in two distinct ways: as the canonical hydride / electron carrier in cellular respiration and metabolism, and as the obligate substrate consumed by a family of enzymes that includes the sirtuins (SIRT1-7), the PARPs (poly-ADP-ribose polymerases involved in DNA damage response), and the surface enzymes CD38 and CD157.
This second role places NAD+ at the center of a large body of published research on aging biology, mitochondrial function, DNA repair, and metabolic regulation.
This product is supplied as a 200 mg/mL aqueous solution intended for in vitro laboratory use.
Research areas being investigated
- Cellular respiration and metabolism research: Studied as the cofactor that hundreds of dehydrogenase enzymes use across glycolysis, the TCA cycle, fatty-acid oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation.
- Sirtuin research: Examined as the obligate substrate for SIRT1-7 protein deacylases, which remove acetyl, succinyl, malonyl, and other modifications from target proteins.
- DNA damage response research: Investigated as the substrate consumed by PARP enzymes during ADP-ribosylation at sites of DNA damage.
- CD38 / immune-aging research: Studied as the substrate consumed by CD38 / CD157 ectoenzymes, which become more active in aging and chronic inflammation.
- Mitochondrial biology research: Examined for its role in the SIRT1 / PGC-1α axis, mitochondrial biogenesis, and the mitochondrial unfolded-protein response.
- Aging biology research: Investigated in rodent models of age-related decline in tissue NAD+ levels and downstream effects on sirtuin activity.
- Stem-cell biology research: Studied as a regulator of stem-cell function in tissue regeneration models.
What the research suggests so far
Animal / preclinical findings. Published rodent research has reported age-related declines in tissue NAD+ concentrations across many tissues, with downstream reductions in sirtuin activity and impairments in mitochondrial function. NAD+ precursor administration (most commonly NMN or NR, not NAD+ itself) has been examined in rodent aging studies for effects on tissue NAD+ pools, sirtuin activity, mitochondrial biogenesis markers, and a range of age-related metabolic phenotypes.
Outcomes vary by precursor, tissue, dose, and model system.
Cell / lab findings. The biochemistry of NAD+ is among the best-characterized in published enzymology. Cell-culture and biochemistry research has mapped the NAD+ binding pocket in hundreds of dehydrogenase enzymes, characterized the deacylation reactions of SIRT1-7, and described the ADP-ribosylation chemistry of the PARP family. NAD+ is also a routine substrate in published in-vitro biochemistry assay systems.
Human findings. Human evidence specific to direct NAD+ administration is limited. Most human research on increasing tissue NAD+ pools has used the precursors nicotinamide riboside (NR) or nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) in oral-supplement form, with reports of increased blood NAD+ levels in small short-term human studies.
There are no large, published Phase III randomized controlled trials demonstrating clinical benefit of NAD+ infusions or oral NAD+ for any specific condition. NAD+ is not approved by the FDA, EMA, or other major regulators as a drug for any use.
Limitations of the evidence. Much of the human-relevance discussion around NAD+ relies on extrapolation from rodent studies and from precursor-supplement research, not from direct NAD+ administration in randomized human trials. Long-term human safety data, large-scale human efficacy trials, and standardized dosing comparisons across NAD+ versus NMN versus NR remain incomplete.
Reviewers continue to call for additional rigorous human research before broad therapeutic conclusions can be drawn.
Research relevance
NAD+ is most often discussed in research involving cellular redox biochemistry, sirtuin enzymology, PARP-mediated DNA-damage response, CD38 ectoenzyme biology, mitochondrial biogenesis and the SIRT1 / PGC-1α axis, aging biology and the age-associated decline of tissue NAD+, and stem-cell regulation. It is a foundational research reagent in cell metabolism and aging-biology laboratories.
It should not be presented as a proven treatment for any condition.
What cannot be claimed about NAD+
- It cannot be claimed to treat, cure, heal, or prevent any human or animal condition.
- It cannot be claimed to reverse aging, extend life, or treat age-related diseases.
- It cannot be claimed to treat fatigue, depression, addiction, neurodegeneration, or any specific disease.
- It cannot be claimed to be safe or effective for human or veterinary administration.
- It cannot be claimed to be approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority as a drug.
- It cannot be represented as a dietary supplement.
Summary
NAD+ (β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a fundamental cellular coenzyme used as a hydride / electron carrier in cellular respiration and as the obligate substrate for sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38/CD157 ectoenzymes. It is studied in laboratory and animal research related to cellular metabolism, mitochondrial biology, aging, DNA-damage response, and stem-cell regulation. Most human research targeting tissue NAD+ pools has used the precursors NR or NMN rather than NAD+ itself, and results are early.
NAD+ is not approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority as a drug. BioChain USA’s NAD+ is sold strictly as a 200 mg/mL aqueous research-use-only solution for laboratory investigation. It is not intended for human consumption, medical use, or veterinary use.
Short version
NAD+ is a fundamental cellular coenzyme central to metabolism, sirtuin biology, and DNA-damage response. It is studied in laboratory and animal research on aging, mitochondria, and metabolism. Direct human evidence for NAD+ infusion is limited and it is not approved as a drug. Sold for research and laboratory use only.
Source notes
- Imai S, Guarente L. NAD+ and sirtuins in aging and disease. Trends Cell Biol, 2014, review article. (PMC4112140.)
- Verdin E. NAD+ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science, 2015, review article.
- Cantó C, et al. NAD+ metabolism and the control of energy homeostasis, a balancing act between mitochondria and the nucleus. Cell Metab, 2015, review article. (PMC3858599.)
- Mouchiroud L, et al. The NAD+/sirtuin pathway modulates longevity via mitochondrial UPR and FOXO. Cell, 2013, mechanistic / animal study. (PMC3753670.)
- Sirtuins and NAD+ in metabolic and cardiovascular disease, Circulation Research review.
- Regulation of stem-cell function by NAD+, published review article. (PMC12167693.)
- Trammell SAJ, et al. Nicotinamide riboside is uniquely and orally bioavailable in mice and humans. Nat Commun, 2016, small short-term human pharmacokinetic study of an NAD+ precursor.
Source types: entries 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 are review articles; entry 4 is a mechanistic / animal study; entry 7 is a small human pharmacokinetic study of the NAD+ precursor NR (not NAD+ itself).
SEO meta description
NAD+ is a fundamental cellular coenzyme studied in research on metabolism, sirtuin biology, mitochondrial function, and aging. Research-use only.
Reminder. BioChain USA sells NAD+ strictly as a research-use-only chemical for qualified laboratory and educational use. It is not intended for human consumption, medical treatment, veterinary treatment, diagnosis, prevention, or cure of disease.
Chemical Reference Data
β-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD⁺)
| Molecular Formula | C₂₁H₂₇N₇O₁₄P₂ (free acid form) |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | ~663.43 g/mol |
| Structural Class | Dinucleotide coenzyme, adenine nucleotide + nicotinamide nucleotide joined via pyrophosphate linkage |
| CAS Number | 53-84-9 |
| Synonyms | β-NAD⁺ · Nadide · Coenzyme I · DPN⁺ (diphosphopyridine nucleotide) |
Structural Architecture
NAD⁺ is a small-molecule dinucleotide coenzyme, not a peptide or peptide derivative. Its structural architecture comprises:
- Adenine ribonucleotide moiety, adenine base + ribose + 5′-phosphate, as found in adenosine monophosphate
- Nicotinamide ribonucleotide moiety, nicotinamide base + ribose + 5′-phosphate
- Pyrophosphate linker, joining the two 5′-phosphates
The β-glycosidic bond between the nicotinamide base and its ribose is the chemically labile site involved in nicotinamide release during NAD⁺-consuming enzyme reactions. Published literature describes the +1 formal charge on the pyridinium nitrogen of the nicotinamide ring as the electron-accepting site that converts NAD⁺ to NADH upon reduction.
This product is supplied as a sterile-filtered aqueous solution at 200 mg/mL. Solutions of NAD⁺ are described in published literature as light- and heat-sensitive and as undergoing slow non-enzymatic hydrolysis at neutral pH; refrigerated storage with protection from light is standard.
BioChain USA does not make medical claims. Research context does not equal clinical outcome data.
Research Applications
This compound is used as a research tool to investigate:
- Redox cofactor research, NAD⁺/NADH ratios in cellular respiration, glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle research
- Sirtuin family research, NAD⁺ as obligate substrate for SIRT1-7 deacetylase / deacylase activity, including mitochondrial sirtuins (SIRT3-5)
- PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase) research, NAD⁺ consumption during DNA damage response and ADP-ribosylation cascades
- CD38 / CD157 ectoenzyme research, NAD⁺ glycohydrolase activity and the inflammation-associated decline in cellular NAD⁺ pools with age
- Mitochondrial biology research, SIRT1/PGC-1α axis, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRᵐᵗ)
- Aging biology research, published age-associated decline in tissue NAD⁺ levels and downstream effects on sirtuin activity
- Stem cell biology research, NAD⁺ regulation of stem cell function and tissue regeneration in published model systems
- Metabolic enzymology, assay-system substrate for over 200 published NAD⁺-dependent dehydrogenase reactions
Specific applications depend on the researcher’s study design, cell model, and assay framework.
Key Research Themes in the Literature
1. NAD⁺ as Redox Cofactor in Cellular Metabolism
The classical research role for NAD⁺ in published biochemistry literature is as the canonical hydride acceptor in dehydrogenase-catalyzed reactions across glycolysis, the TCA cycle, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Published research frames the cellular NAD⁺/NADH ratio as a sensitive indicator of metabolic state, with downstream effects on flux through energy-producing pathways.
NAD⁺ is a substrate cofactor for hundreds of characterized dehydrogenase enzymes documented in the published enzymology literature.
2. Sirtuin Substrate Biology
A widely studied research theme over the last two decades is NAD⁺’s role as the obligate substrate for the sirtuin family of protein deacylases (SIRT1-7 in mammals). Published research describes sirtuins as NAD⁺-dependent enzymes that deacetylate (and in some cases desuccinylate, demalonylate, or de-fatty-acylate) target proteins, releasing nicotinamide and 2′-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose.
SIRT1 has received the broadest research attention, including studies on PGC-1α deacetylation and downstream mitochondrial biogenesis. SIRT3-5 are localized to mitochondria and are examined in published research on mitochondrial protein acylation status.
3. PARP and CD38, Competition for the Cellular NAD⁺ Pool
Published research describes a tightly regulated competition between three major NAD⁺-consuming enzyme classes, sirtuins, PARPs (poly-ADP-ribose polymerases), and the CD38/CD157 ectoenzyme family, for a shared pool of cellular NAD⁺. PARP is examined in published DNA-damage-response research as consuming substantial quantities of NAD⁺ during ADP-ribosylation of damaged-DNA-associated proteins.
CD38 is examined in published immunology and aging literature as both a marker of activated immune cells and a major NAD⁺ consumer that increases with age. The reciprocal effects of inhibiting PARP or CD38 on sirtuin activity are an active published research theme.
4. NAD⁺ Decline, Aging, and Mitochondrial Function
A heavily cited research theme is the published age-associated decline in tissue NAD⁺ concentrations and its downstream effects on sirtuin-dependent mitochondrial homeostasis. Published research describes NAD⁺ precursor administration (NMN and NR are the most studied) as restoring tissue NAD⁺ pools, increasing sirtuin activity, and ameliorating age-related metabolic and mitochondrial phenotypes in rodent model systems.
Published research on stem cell biology has examined NAD⁺ as a regulator of stem cell function in regenerative model systems. BioChain USA does not represent these findings as consumer outcomes.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- COA provided where available for the specific batch shipped.
- The batch COA is the authoritative reference for analytical methods, purity data, and lot-specific testing for that shipment.
- COA information is batch-specific and is not interchangeable between lots.
Storage and Handling
General handling guidance for research use of NAD⁺ aqueous solution:
- Store under refrigeration (2 to 8 °C) protected from light. Keep tightly capped.
- For extended storage, freezing aliquots is consistent with standard practice for nucleotide cofactors.
- Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles; aliquot before first thaw if extended use is anticipated.
- Discard if the solution becomes discolored or develops particulate matter.
- NAD⁺ is described in published literature as light- and heat-sensitive; minimize exposure to ambient light during laboratory use.
BioChain USA does not provide instructions for human or animal administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this product for human use?
No. This compound is not approved or intended for human or veterinary use. It is sold exclusively for in vitro research, laboratory, and analytical purposes. It is not a drug, supplement, or therapeutic product of any kind.
What is NAD⁺ used for in research?
NAD⁺ is studied as the canonical hydride-accepting cofactor for hundreds of characterized dehydrogenase enzymes across cellular metabolism, as the obligate substrate for the sirtuin (SIRT1-7) family of NAD⁺-dependent deacylases, and as the substrate consumed by PARP and CD38 enzymes. Published research themes include mitochondrial biology and biogenesis, DNA damage response, aging biology and the age-associated decline of NAD⁺ tissue levels, and stem cell regulation.
Specific applications depend on the researcher’s study design and objectives.
Do you provide dosing instructions or administration protocols?
No. BioChain USA does not provide dosing guidance, administration instructions, or protocols for human or animal use. Researchers are responsible for designing in vitro study protocols appropriate to their applications and institutional requirements.
Do you provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
Yes, where available. COAs are batch-specific documents reflecting the analytical testing and purity data for that particular lot. The COA included with your order is the authoritative reference for that batch. Availability may vary by lot.
Compliance and Disclaimers
- Sold for research, laboratory, or analytical purposes only.
- Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition.
- Not for human or animal consumption.
- Purchaser assumes full responsibility for compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations governing the purchase and use of research compounds.
References & additional NAD+ resources
NAD+ Overview at BioChain USA
This NAD+ product page lists the 200 mg / 200 mg/mL lyophilized vial of the BioChain USA research-grade NAD+ compound.
Every NAD+ lot is independently third-party tested, with a COA available per batch.
NAD+ is supplied strictly for in vitro research use and is not approved for human or animal consumption.
NAD+ Product Imagery
Related BioChain Research Peptides
NAD+ is part of a broader catalog of research-grade peptides at BioChain USA. Each related product is third-party tested.
- MOTS-c research-grade peptide
- GHK-Cu research-grade peptide
- BPC-157 research-grade peptide
- TB-500 research-grade peptide
External Peer-Reviewed Research Literature
Investigators studying the NAD+ compound class may consult external research databases for published literature.
- PubMed: NAD+ published research literature
- NCBI PMC: NAD+ open access articles
- PubMed: peptide research literature
NAD+ FAQ
What is NAD+? NAD+ is a research-grade compound supplied by BioChain USA as a lyophilized vial for in vitro laboratory research only.
What vial size does BioChain USA offer? This product page lists the 200 mg / 200 mg/mL vial size.
Is NAD+ tested? Yes. Every NAD+ lot is independently third-party tested and ships with a COA reference when available.
Can NAD+ be used on humans or animals? No. NAD+ is supplied strictly for in vitro research use. It is not approved for human or animal consumption.
How does NAD+ ship? BioChain USA ships NAD+ as a lyophilized powder in a sealed research vial.
Where can researchers find NAD+ published literature? PubMed and NCBI PMC list peer-reviewed studies on the NAD+ compound class.