NAD+ is the odd one out in this series. It is not a peptide at all, it is a coenzyme, and it sits at the center of how cells manage energy. It shows up in research catalogs alongside peptides because it is a defined molecule that laboratories study in the same careful, batch-verified way. Here is what it actually is.
What is NAD+?
NAD+ stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. It is a coenzyme present in every living cell, built from two nucleotides joined together. Its CAS number is 53-84-9 and its molecular formula is C21H27N7O14P2. The "plus" refers to its oxidized form, which pairs with a reduced form called NADH. That pairing is the whole point of the molecule, since it lets NAD+ shuttle electrons during metabolism.
What does NAD+ do?
In basic biochemistry, NAD+ acts as an electron carrier. Cells constantly cycle it between its oxidized form (NAD+) and its reduced form (NADH) to move energy around during processes like glycolysis and cellular respiration. Beyond that classic role, NAD+ is also a substrate for a group of enzymes called sirtuins, which is a big part of why it draws interest in aging research.
How is NAD+ studied?
Laboratory research involving NAD+ commonly looks at:
- Cellular metabolism: its role as an electron carrier in energy pathways.
- Mitochondrial function: how NAD+ availability relates to the machinery that produces cellular energy.
- Sirtuin signaling: NAD+ as a substrate for enzymes tied to aging and stress response in model systems.
These are laboratory and preclinical contexts. NAD+ is supplied strictly as a research compound, and this article does not describe use in people or animals. If you are comparing it with the small peptide MOTS-c, both come up in mitochondrial research but they are very different molecules.
Handling and verification
NAD+ is sensitive to moisture and light, so how it is stored matters. It is verified by HPLC, ships lyophilized, and comes with its certificate of analysis. Any Codex Research vial can be confirmed by its batch number.
Research use only
All products sold by Codex Research, including NAD+, are strictly for laboratory research and development. They are not for human or animal consumption and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The compound at Codex Research
NAD+, 1000 mg per vial — batch-verified, with its certificate of analysis.
Frequently asked questions
Is NAD+ a peptide?
No. NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme built from two nucleotides, not a peptide. It appears in research catalogs alongside peptides because it is a defined, batch-verified compound studied in metabolism research.
What is the difference between NAD+ and NADH?
They are two forms of the same coenzyme. NAD+ is the oxidized form and NADH is the reduced form. Cells cycle between them to carry electrons during energy metabolism.
Why is NAD+ studied in aging research?
Beyond its role as an electron carrier, NAD+ is a substrate for enzymes called sirtuins that are associated with stress response and aging in laboratory models, which is a major reason it appears in that research.