Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor researched for fat cell metabolism, NAD+ salvage pathway regulation, and metabolic health.
Last Updated: May 2026
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small-molecule selective inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), researched for fat cell metabolism, NAD+ salvage pathway regulation, and metabolic health. Despite frequent grouping with peptides in research-chemical catalogs, 5-Amino-1MQ is not a peptide — it is a small-molecule quinolinium compound. It is not approved for any medical indication and is sold as a research-use-only material.
5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule selective inhibitor of NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase), the enzyme that methylates and inactivates nicotinamide — a precursor in the NAD+ salvage pathway. By inhibiting NNMT, 5-Amino-1MQ is hypothesized to preserve cellular nicotinamide pools, support NAD+ levels, and reduce the methylation flux that contributes to adipocyte fat storage. The compound was identified through structure-based drug design at the University of Texas Southwestern. Evidence level: Preclinical (mouse adipocyte and obesity models); no published human trials.
In preclinical mouse studies of diet-induced obesity, 5-Amino-1MQ produced reductions in fat mass, improved insulin sensitivity, and protected against weight gain on high-fat diets without affecting food intake. The mechanism appears to act on adipocyte energy expenditure and NAD+ pool preservation rather than appetite. Human clinical data is essentially absent as of May 2026 — no published Phase 1 or later trials specific to 5-Amino-1MQ for obesity or metabolic indications. Evidence level: Preclinical (mouse) only; no human RCT data.
5-Amino-1MQ targets a completely different pathway than GLP-1 receptor agonists — NNMT inhibition and NAD+ salvage rather than appetite suppression and incretin signaling. It is also a small molecule, not a peptide, despite being sold in the same research-chemical catalogs. Direct efficacy comparisons to GLP-1 compounds are inappropriate given the absence of human data for 5-Amino-1MQ.
| Compound | Mechanism | Evidence stage | Compound class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon | Phase 3 human RCT | Peptide |
| MOTS-c | Mitochondrial-derived, AMPK | Preclinical + Phase 1 PK | Peptide |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | NNMT inhibition, NAD+ salvage | Preclinical (mouse) only | Small molecule (not peptide) |
Human safety data for 5-Amino-1MQ is absent as of May 2026 — no published Phase 1 or later trials. Preclinical mouse studies have not surfaced significant toxicity signals at researched doses, but rodent-to-human translation is unestablished. Long-term safety in humans is completely unknown. Community-reported research use suggests mild side effects, but this is anecdotal not clinical evidence. Evidence level: Preclinical mouse safety only; no human safety data.
5-Amino-1MQ is not approved for any medical indication anywhere in the world as of May 2026. It is sold strictly as a research-use-only material by third-party laboratories. No clinical trial program has been registered for the compound in any indication. Buyers should treat 5-Amino-1MQ as an extremely early-stage research compound with promising preclinical signals but no human data. Regulatory context in are peptides legal regulatory status by country.
Because 5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule synthesized by chemical processes different from peptide synthesis, the identity verification stack differs — HPLC and mass spectrometry remain relevant, but the specific purity thresholds and impurity profiles are different from peptide standards. Some vendors substitute related quinolinium compounds. Independent third-party testing is essential. Guidance in how-to-test-peptides hub — note that some peptide-specific guidance does not directly apply.
Peptigrity purchases 5-Amino-1MQ vials anonymously at standard customer pricing, sends them to ISO-accredited third-party labs for HPLC and mass spectrometry analysis, and publishes the unedited certificate of analysis. The lab test table above this section shows the cross-shop dataset. Methodology in how we calculate trust scores.
No. 5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule quinolinium compound, not a peptide. It is grouped with peptides in research-chemical catalogs because of overlapping buyer audience and metabolic research interest, but it is structurally and pharmacologically distinct from peptides.
No human clinical trials of 5-Amino-1MQ have been published for any indication, including weight loss. The preclinical mouse data is promising for metabolic effects, but human translation is unestablished. Anyone seeking evidence-based weight-loss compounds should reference the FDA-approved GLP-1 options like semaglutide or tirzepatide.
5-Amino-1MQ is legal to purchase as a research chemical for laboratory use in most jurisdictions, but it is not approved for human consumption. Country breakdown in peptide legal status guide.
Unknown. No registered clinical trial program for 5-Amino-1MQ exists as of May 2026. The compound's development pathway is unclear; it remains in the preclinical research stage.
Independent third-party HPLC certificate of analysis from a lab the vendor does not own or pay, with mass spectrometry identity confirmation appropriate to a small-molecule quinolinium compound. Mislabeling and substitution with related quinolinium structures occurs in the research-chemical market.
No. 5-Amino-1MQ is not approved for human consumption and Peptigrity is an independent review platform, not a medical authority. Community research-use protocols vary widely; the absence of human data makes dosing translation from rodent studies particularly uncertain.
This section is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. 5-Amino-1MQ is not approved by the FDA or any other regulator for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any peptide or research compound. Peptigrity is an independent review platform and does not sell, endorse, or recommend specific products or vendors.
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