Nicotinamide

Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin, formally an amide derivative of nicotinic acid, belonging to the vitamin B3 family which includes niacin. It is a precursor to the essential coenzymes NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP⁺, which are crucial for redox reactions, energy metabolism, and DNA repair across all species from bacteria to humans. Medically, nicotinamide is used to treat pellagra (niacin deficiency) and has shown therapeutic benefit in dermatological conditions, such as acne and non-melanoma skin cancer prevention, due to its anti-inflammatory and cell-protective actions. It is generally safe, but excessive doses may cause liver toxicity. While it is not a pharmacological target per se, its function as a metabolic precursor, anti-inflammatory agent, and possible epigenetic modulator (histone deacetylase inhibitor) makes it an important molecule for nutrition, skin health, and investigational therapies, especially for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Other names

NiacinamideVitamin B3Pyridine-3-carboxamideNicotinic acid amideNicotinamid3-PyridinecarboxamideNICOTINIC ACID AMIDEDipigylNicotamide

Serves as a precursor for NAD⁺ and NADP⁺, supporting cellular metabolism and DNA repair; Competitive inhibitor of sirtuins and histone deacetylases (particularly relevant in neurodegenerative and aging mechanisms); Anti-inflammatory effect via toll-like receptor 2 modulation and cytokine suppression.