Preferred Label : Acetylcysteine;
NCIt synonyms : N-acetyl-L-cysteine; N-acetyl-3-mercaptoalanine; N-Acetyl Cysteine; NAC; L-Alpha-acetamido-beta-mercaptopropionic Acid;
NCIt related terms : N-Acetylcysteine; Airbron; Mucosolvin; Fluimucetin; Fluimucil; Mucomyst; Parvolex; Broncholysin; Respaire;
NCIt definition : A synthetic N-acetyl derivative and prodrug of the endogenous amino acid L-cysteine,
a precursor of the antioxidant glutathione (GSH), with mucolytic, antioxidant, and
potential cytoprotective, cancer-preventive, and anti-inflammatory activities. Upon
administration, acetylcysteine exerts its mucolytic activity by reducing disulfide
bonds in mucoproteins, resulting in liquification of mucus and reducing its viscosity.
It is also used for the treatment of acetaminophen overdose as it can restore the
depleted GSH reserves in the hepatocytes during the process of detoxification. The
antioxidant activity is attributed to the ability of GSH to scavenge reactive oxygen
species (ROS), thereby preventing ROS-mediated cell damage, decreasing oxidative stress,
protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals and preventing apoptosis
in these cells. In addition, this may inhibit tumor cell proliferation, progression
and survival, in susceptible tumor cells that rely on ROS-mediated signaling for their
proliferation and malignant behavior. Under certain circumstances, acetylcysteine
is able to induce apoptosis in susceptible cells, including certain tumor cells, via
the intrinsic mitochondria-dependent pathway but not involving endoplasmic reticulum
stress. Also, acetylcysteine may also be able to degrade Notch2, thereby preventing
proliferation, migration, and invasion in Notch2-overexpressing glioblastoma cells.
In addition, acetylcysteine may inhibit viral stimulation by reactive oxygen intermediates,
thereby producing antiviral activity in HIV patients. Acetylcysteine also possesses
anti-inflammatory activity through modulation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB)
pathway and the modulation of cytokine synthesis.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A drug usually used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal.
It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen.;
UNII : WYQ7N0BPYC;
InChIKey : PWKSKIMOESPYIA-BYPYZUCNSA-N;
CAS number : 616-91-1;
Drug name : Mucomyst; Parvolex; Fluprowit; Broncholysin; Mucocedyl; Fluimucetin; Neo-Fluimucil; Acetadote; Airbron; Mucolator; Tixair; Mucolyticum; Mucret; Brunac; Respaire; Fabrol; Fluatox; Mucosolvin; Fluimucil; Muco Sanigen;
Chemical formula : C5H9NO3S;
NSC code : 111180;
ChEBI ID : CHEBI:28939;
Codes from synonyms : CDR0000520253; CDR0000045797; NSC0111180; 01008; CDR0000045166;
Origin ID : C200;
UMLS CUI : C0001047;
Semantic type(s)
- UMLS correspondences (same concept)
- Validated automatic mappings to BTNT
- concept_is_in_subset
- is_component_of_chemotherapy_regimen
