An antioxidant and glutathione precursor
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N-acetyl-L-Cysteine

Item No. 20261

Product Insert (PDF)Safety Data Sheet (SDS) (PDF)
Technical Information
Formal Name
N-acetyl-L-cysteine
CAS Number
616-91-1
Synonyms
  • Acetylcysteine
  • NSC 111180
  • NAC
Molecular Formula
C5H9NO3S
Formula Weight
163.2
Purity
≥95%
Formulation (Request formulation change)
A crystalline solid
Solubility(Learn about Variance in Solubility)
DMF: 50 mg/mlDMSO: 50 mg/mlEthanol: 50 mg/mlPBS (pH 7.2): 30 mg/ml
SMILES
SC[C@H](NC(C)=O)C(O)=O
InChi Code
InChI=1S/C5H9NO3S/c1-3(7)6-4(2-10)5(8)9/h4,10H,2H2,1H3,(H,6,7)(H,8,9)/t4-/m0/s1
InChi Key
PWKSKIMOESPYIA-BYPYZUCNSA-N
Shipping & Storage Information
Storage
-20°C
Shipping
Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere
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    10 g

    $43

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    25 g

    $86

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    50 g

    $161

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    100 g

    $237

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    Product Description

    N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant and precursor of glutathione that has multiple effects in cells and animals. As an antioxidant, NAC scavenges hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and hypochlorous acid.1,2 NAC may be deacetylated to cysteine, which can be combined with glutamate and glycine to produce reduced glutathione (Item No. 10007461), which serves to reduce hydroperoxides and detoxify xenobiotics.1,2 The free sulfhydryl group of NAC can also hydrolyze disulfide bonds of mucins and other proteins, thus facilitating clearance of mucus.3 Through these actions, NAC inhibits DNA adduct formation, limits hepatotoxic effects of acetaminophen, and provides diverse cytoprotective effects in vivo.4,1,5,2,3,6

    WARNING This product is not for human or veterinary use.

    References & Product Citations
    Product Description References

    1. Gillissen, A., and Nowak, D. Characterization of N-acetylcysteine and ambroxol in anti-oxidant therapy. Respir. Res. 92(4), 609-623 (1998).

    2. Kelly, G.S. Clinical applications of N-acetylcysteine. Altern. Med. Rev. 3(2), 114-127 (1998).

    3. Rubin, B.K. Aerosol medications for treatment of mucus clearance disorders. Respir. Care 60(6), 825-829 (2015).

    4. Cavalieri, E.L., and Rogan, E.G. Depurinating estrogen-DNA adducts, generators of cancer initiation: Their minimization leads to cancer prevention. Clin. Transl. Med. 5(1), (2016).

    5. Izzotti, A., D'Agostini, F., Bagnasco, M., et al. Chemoprevention of carcinogen-DNA adducts and chronic degenerative diseases. Cancer Res. 54(7 suppl), 1994s-1998s (1994).

    6. Yoon, E., Babar, A., Choudhary, M., et al. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity: A comprehensive update. J. Clin. Transl. Hepatol. 4(2), 131-142 (2016).