Acetylcysteine (N-Acetylcysteine) is a mucolytic agent which reduces the thickness of the mucus. Acetylcysteine is a ROS inhibitor. Acetylcysteine is a cysteine precursor, prevents hemin-induced ferroptosis by neutralizing toxic lipids generated by arachidonate-dependent activity of 5-lipoxygenases. Acetylcysteine induces cell apoptosis. Acetylcysteine also has anti-influenza virus activities. In addition, Acetylcysteine ​​is the most stable form of cysteine ​​during drug delivery and can be used in disulfidptosis studies^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}.

Acetylcysteine prevents apoptotic DNA fragmentation and maintains long-term survival in the absence of other trophic support in serum-deprived PC12 cells. Acetylcysteine also prevents death of PC12 cells and sympathetic neurons^[2].
Acetylcysteine causes dose-dependent reductions in viability in rat and human aortic smooth muscle cells^[3].
Acetylcysteine activates the Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in PC12 cells. Acetylcysteine protects neuronal cells from death evoked by withdrawal of trophic support. Acetylcysteine increases nitric oxide (NO) release from protein-bound stores in vascular tissue. Acetylcysteine pretreatment of PC12 cells interferes with NGF-dependent signaling and neurite outgrowth, and it is suggested that Acetylcysteine interferes with redox-sensitive steps in the NGF mechanism^[4].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

* Note: If you choose water as the stock solution, please dilute it to the working solution, then filter and sterilize it with a 0.22 μm filter before use.

• [1]. Halasi M, et al. ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine antagonizes the activity of proteasome inhibitors. Biochem J. 2013 Sep 1;454(2):201-8.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Ferrari G, et al. N-acetylcysteine (D- and L-stereoisomers) prevents apoptotic death of neuronal cells. J Neurosci. 1995 Apr;15(4):2857-66.  [Content Brief]

  [3]. Tsai JC, et al. Induction of apoptosis by pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and N-acetylcysteine in vascular smooth muscle cells. J Biol Chem. 1996 Feb 16;271(7):3667-70.  [Content Brief]

  [4]. Yan CY, et al. Prevention of PC12 cell death by N-acetylcysteine requires activation of the Ras pathway. J Neurosci. 1998 Jun 1;18(11):4042-9.  [Content Brief]

  [5]. Farr SA, et al. The antioxidants alpha-lipoic acid and N-acetylcysteine reverse memory impairment and brain oxidative stress in aged SAMP8 mice. J Neurochem. 2003 Mar;84(5):1173-83.  [Content Brief]

  [6]. Kalimeris K, et al. N-acetylcysteine ameliorates liver injury in a rat model of intestinal ischemia reperfusion. J Surg Res. 2016 Dec;206(2):263-272.  [Content Brief]

  [7]. Garigliany MM, et al. N-acetylcysteine lacks universal inhibitory activity against influenza A viruses. J Negat Results Biomed. 2011 May 9;10:5.  [Content Brief]

  [8]. Gu Q, et al. Disulfidptosis, a novel cell death pathway: molecular landscape and therapeutic implications[J]. Aging Dis, 2024, 10.  [Content Brief]