Study of Nicotinamide Riboside's Properties and Degradation Kinetics: Preclinical Findings

Synopsis

Nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3 and a precursor to NAD+, shows promise as a therapeutic compound for aging. However, little is known about its physical and chemical properties and how these affect formulation and processing. This study reports key properties of NR, including pKa, solubility, melting point, and stability under heat and physiological conditions. Using HPLC, the research confirms that NR chloride (NRCl) breaks down through base-catalyzed hydrolysis into nicotinamide and sugar in simulated digestive fluids. Since nicotinamide can counteract NR’s effects, controlling NRCl stability during formulation and storage is critical to prevent its breakdown. Techniques like 1H NMR and Differential Scanning Calorimetry revealed that NRCl degrades when melted and hydrolyzes in solution and intestinal-like environments. These findings highlight the importance of careful formulation to protect NRCl from degradation and support further clinical research and development.

Journal

Food & Nutrition Research