5-Amino-1MQ: research, side effects and dosage in studies
In short
5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule that inhibits the NNMT enzyme, and it is not a peptide [12]. It has been studied only in mice, rats and cells [2, 8]C, and it has no marketing authorisation [13]regulator.
- In obese mice 5-amino-1MQ reduced body weight and fat tissue [2]C and improved glucose metabolism and fatty liver [7]C.
- In old mice it improved muscle recovery after injury [3]C and increased grip strength [6]C.
- We found no human studies, and there is no study of it on the ClinicalTrials.gov registry. Nearly all animal studies come from one research group, and some of its authors work for the company Ridgeline Therapeutics [5, 6, 7]C.
- There is no medicine containing 5-amino-1MQ in the EU [13]regulator. The WADA Prohibited List does not name it [15]regulator.
What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
5-Amino-1MQ, or 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium, is a small, positively charged quinoline compound. Its molecular formula is C10H11N2+ and its molecular weight is about 159 [12]. So it is not a peptide, although it is often sold alongside peptides.
The substance inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, NNMT. A US research group found NNMT inhibitors among quinolinium compounds in 2017 [1]D and published the first mouse studies of 5-amino-1MQ in 2018 [2]C.
Basics: What are peptides?. All substances: Peptides A-Z.
Evidence at a glance
Each cell gives the kind of study and its source. The letter is the evidence level, not the result.
| Claimed effect | Humans | Animals | Cells |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight loss and fat tissue | No studies | In obese mice body weight and white fat tissue fell [2]C; with a low-fat diet body composition returned to normal [4]C | Reduced fat formation in fat cells [2]D |
| Blood sugar and liver | - | In obese mice better glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, less fatty liver [7]C | - |
| Muscle with ageing | - | In old mice larger muscle fibres and a stronger muscle after injury [3]C; grip strength about 40% higher [6]C | Promoted muscle cell differentiation [3]D |
| Cellular NAD+ | - | - | Raised NAD+ in fat cells [2]D |
| Cancer cells | - | - | Slowed the growth of cervical cancer cells [9]D |
| Safety | No data | No observed harms in short mouse studies [2, 3]C | NNMT inhibition reduced the survival of blood vessel lining cells under oxidative stress [10]D |
"-" = no such study is known.
What is 5-Amino-1MQ studied for?
5-Amino-1MQ is studied for obesity and for the weakening of ageing muscle, but only in animal and cell studies. No use is approved [13]regulator.
- Obesity and metabolism: mouse studies [2, 4, 5, 7]C.
- Muscle recovery and strength with ageing: mouse studies [3, 6]C.
- Cancer cells: one cell study [9]D.
According to a review, no clinical trials targeting NNMT had been reported by 2024 [11].
How does 5-Amino-1MQ work?
5-Amino-1MQ inhibits the NNMT enzyme. NNMT transfers a methyl group to nicotinamide, and the reaction uses up nicotinamide, which the cell needs to make NAD+ [11].
In fat cells, NNMT inhibitors lowered the reaction product 1-methylnicotinamide, raised cellular NAD+ and S-adenosylmethionine and reduced fat formation [2]D. In the same study the quinolinium compounds did not inhibit related enzymes [2]D.
The mode of action has not been studied in humans.
Has 5-Amino-1MQ been studied in humans?
No. We found no published human study, and there is no study of 5-amino-1MQ on the ClinicalTrials.gov registry (15 Oct 2026). PubMed has only three publications under the name "5-amino-1-methylquinolinium".
The literature consists of mouse, rat and cell studies [2, 3, 8, 9]. All effects described on this page concern animals or cells.
Promising, but only in animal and cell studies
These findings look good, but they have not been tested in humans. Results from animal studies and cell studies cannot be transferred directly to humans.
-
Obesity no human studies
In mice made obese with a high-fat diet, 5-amino-1MQ reduced body weight and white fat tissue, shrank fat cells and lowered blood cholesterol, although the mice ate the same amount [2]C. When the mice were moved to low-fat food, the substance sped up weight loss and brought body composition back to the level of lean mice [4, 5]C. In a four-week study it also improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity and reduced fatty liver [7]C.
If it held in humans: the substance could help in treating obesity and fatty liver.
Why it might not translate: the weight results come from mice made obese with diet [2, 5]C, and in at least one study the substance was injected under the skin once a day [5]C. In mice it was poorly absorbed by mouth [5]C. Nearly all studies came from the same group [2, 4, 5, 7]C, and we found no independent replication.
Evidence now: four mouse studies from the same group [2, 4, 5, 7]C. No human study is registered.
-
Ageing muscle no human studies
In 24-month-old mice, 5-amino-1MQ increased the division of muscle stem cells after injury, the new muscle fibres were about twice as large and peak muscle force about 70% higher than in controls [3]C. In another study, the grip strength of 22-24-month-old mice was about 40% higher than in sedentary controls, and the effect was larger together with exercise [6]C.
If it held in humans: the substance could slow the age-related loss of muscle strength or speed up recovery from muscle injury.
Why it might not translate: the results come from two mouse studies [3, 6]C, and the muscle injury was induced chemically [3]C. Some of the authors work for the company Ridgeline Therapeutics [6]C.
Evidence now: two mouse studies and one cell experiment [3]D. No human study is registered.
Who studies 5-Amino-1MQ?
Nearly all animal studies of 5-amino-1MQ come from a group at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston [1, 2, 3]. The corresponding author of the papers, S. J. Watowich, founded the company Ridgeline Therapeutics, and some of the authors are its employees. This is stated in the papers' conflict of interest statements [4, 5, 6, 7]C. The rat study was also done together with the same group [8]C.
Independent studies are a Turkish cell study in cancer cells [9]D and a Polish-Italian cell study in blood vessel lining cells [10]D.
Who wrote this page: the editorial team
This page was written by the Molecular Recovery editorial team. The draft was made with the help of AI, and the claims have been checked against the sources (AI policy). The page has not been medically reviewed. How we work: About us.
How long does 5-Amino-1MQ stay in the body?
In humans this is not known. In rats the half-life was about 4 hours given into a vein and about 7 hours given by mouth, and about 38% of the dose given by mouth reached the bloodstream [8]C.
In mice the substance was poorly absorbed by mouth, unlike in rats [5]C. Injected under the skin it was absorbed quickly in mice, with a half-life of about 7 hours [6]C, and it spread to fat tissue, muscle and liver [7]C. The difference between species shows that animal pharmacokinetics cannot be transferred to humans.
What are the side effects of 5-Amino-1MQ?
Not known: harms have not been studied in humans, because there are no human studies. More: Side effects and safety.
Findings from animal and cell studies
- In obese mice no harms and no change in eating were seen in an 11-day study [2]C.
- In old mice a broad blood chemistry panel, such as liver and kidney values, did not change during a week of treatment [3]C.
- In pre-fat cells high concentrations were mildly toxic to the cells [2]D.
- In blood vessel lining cells, blocking NNMT with 5-amino-1MQ or by other means reduced cell survival under oxidative stress [10]D.
Short mouse studies say nothing about long-term harms in humans.
Interactions and who has no data
There is no information on interactions with other medicines, because there are no human studies. For the same reason there is no information for pregnancy or breastfeeding, children or people with long-term illnesses.
Evidence against and what is unknown
The evidence is thin: no human studies, and nearly all animal studies come from one group with a financial tie to the substance [5, 6, 7]C.
Evidence against
- In an independent cell study, blocking NNMT reduced the survival of blood vessel lining cells under oxidative stress. According to the researchers, NNMT protects these cells [10]D.
- In mice the substance was not absorbed well by mouth [5]C, so in the mouse studies it was injected [2, 5]C.
- Weight loss in obese mice was largest when the substance was combined with a change of diet [4, 5]C.
We found no independent null or negative animal studies. We found no retracted publications.
What the evidence does not support
- "5-Amino-1MQ makes people lose weight": the results are from mice [2, 4, 7]C.
- "5-Amino-1MQ is a peptide": it is a small quinolinium compound [12].
- "A capsule works like an injection": absorption by mouth differed between species [5, 8]C, and there are no human data.
- "The dosage is known": no human dose has been studied.
5-Amino-1MQ dosage in studies
5-Amino-1MQ has no approved dosage and no dose studied in humans. The table shows doses from mouse studies. They are not recommendations.
| Study | Who | Dose and route | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neelakantan 2018, animal dose | mice made obese | 20 mg/kg under the skin three times a day | 11 days [2]C |
| Neelakantan 2019, animal dose | 24-month-old mice, muscle injury | 5 or 10 mg/kg under the skin twice a day | 1 or 3 weeks after the injury [3]C |
| Dimet-Wiley 2022, animal dose | mice made obese, low-fat food | 32 mg/kg under the skin | about 7 weeks [5]C |
| Dimet-Wiley 2024, animal dose | 22-month-old mice | 10 mg/kg under the skin once a day | 8 weeks [6]C |
What the numbers do not tell you. These are mouse doses. Animal doses cannot be converted to human doses by body weight, and absorption differed between species [5, 8]C. No doses have been studied in humans, so there is no dosage page. Doses of other substances: Dosage.
Is 5-Amino-1MQ legal in Finland?
5-Amino-1MQ has no marketing authorisation as a medicine in the EU [13]regulator, and it is not named in the Finnish medicines list [14]regulator.
- Marketing authorisation. The EMA data set of centrally authorised medicines (14 Oct 2026) has no product containing 5-amino-1MQ [13]regulator.
- Medicines list. Fimea's medicines list (230/2025) does not name the substance, also not in annex 1 A [14]regulator.
- Import. Ordering medicines from outside the EU is covered on Peptides and the law in Finland. Bringing them back from travel: Travelling with peptides.
This is not legal advice. Disclaimer.
Is 5-Amino-1MQ doping?
Not known for certain. The WADA 2026 Prohibited List does not name 5-amino-1MQ. Class S0 prohibits at all times pharmacological substances that no other class covers and that have no approval by any regulatory authority for human therapeutic use, including substances in preclinical development [15]regulator. 5-Amino-1MQ has no marketing authorisation in the EU [13]regulator. Athletes should check with the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (SUEK).
How to assess a 5-Amino-1MQ product
Studies give no certainty about what a product contains. We found no published analysis of products sold as 5-amino-1MQ, and the substance used in the studies was made by the researchers with their own method [3]C.
Because it is a small molecule, mass spectrometry suits its identification: in rat blood samples the substance was identified with an MS method [8]C. A seller's own certificate of analysis (COA) does not by itself show that a product is pure. More: How to read a COA and check a test result.
FAQ
What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
A small quinolinium compound that inhibits the NNMT enzyme [12] [2]D. It is not a peptide.
Has 5-Amino-1MQ been studied in humans?
No. No published human studies or registered trials were found. The data come from mice, rats and cells [2, 3, 8]C.
Does 5-Amino-1MQ cause weight loss?
Not known. In mice made obese it reduced body weight and fat tissue [2, 7]C. This has not been studied in humans.
What are the side effects of 5-Amino-1MQ?
Not known, because there are no human studies. No harms were seen in short mouse studies [2, 3]C, but in a cell study blocking NNMT reduced the survival of blood vessel lining cells [10]D.
5-Amino-1MQ vs NMN or NAD+: what is the difference?
They are different substances. 5-Amino-1MQ inhibits the NNMT enzyme, and in fat cells it raised the cell's own NAD+ [2]D. NMN and NAD+ are themselves part of NAD+ metabolism. No direct comparison has been made. See NMN and NAD+.
Have combinations of 5-Amino-1MQ with other substances been studied?
Not known. Combinations with other substances have not been studied. In mice the substance has been studied alone and together with a change of diet [4, 5]C or with exercise [6]C.
What happens when you stop 5-Amino-1MQ?
Not known. The effects of stopping have not been studied in humans or in the animal studies known to us.
Are human studies of 5-Amino-1MQ coming in the future?
There are no registered human studies (ClinicalTrials.gov, 15 Oct 2026). According to a review, no clinical trials targeting NNMT had been reported in 2024 [11].
Is 5-Amino-1MQ doping?
Not known for certain. The list does not name it, but class S0 prohibits substances with no regulatory approval for human therapeutic use [15]regulator.
5-Amino-1MQ experiences: what do studies say?
User accounts of 5-Amino-1MQ have not been compiled on this site: too few public accounts were found for a summary. Individual accounts are not research results, and there are no human studies of the substance.
Read the research yourself: sources
Every source opens the original publication or the regulator's page. The level shows what the source itself reports.
- Neelakantan H, Wang HY, Vance V, et al. Structure-Activity Relationship for Small Molecule Inhibitors of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase. J Med Chem. 2017;60(12):5015-5028. PMID 28548833 D
- Neelakantan H, Vance V, Wetzel MD, et al. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;147:141-152. PMID 29155147 C
- Neelakantan H, Brightwell CR, Graber TG, et al. Small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor activates senescent muscle stem cells and improves regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle. Biochem Pharmacol. 2019;163:481-492. PMID 30753815 C
- Sampson CM, Dimet AL, Neelakantan H, et al. Combined nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibition and reduced-calorie diet normalizes body composition and enhances metabolic benefits in obese mice. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):5637. PMID 33707534 C
- Dimet-Wiley A, Wu Q, Wiley JT, et al. Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):484. PMID 35013352 C
- Dimet-Wiley AL, Latham CM, Brightwell CR, et al. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibition mimics and boosts exercise-mediated improvements in muscle function in aged mice. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):15554. PMID 38969654 C
- Babula JJ, Bui D, Stevenson HL, Watowich SJ, Neelakantan H. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibition mitigates obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024;26(11):5272-5282. PMID 39161060 C
- Awosemo O, Neelakantan H, Watowich S, et al. Development & validation of LC-MS/MS assay for 5-amino-1-methyl quinolinium in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic and oral bioavailability studies. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2021;204:114255. PMID 34304009 C
- Akar S, Duran T, Azzawri AA, et al. Small molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase shows anti-proliferative activity in HeLa cells. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021;41(8):1240-1245. PMID 33645410 D
- Campagna R, Mateuszuk Ł, Wojnar-Lason K, et al. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in endothelium protects against oxidant stress-induced endothelial injury. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2021;1868(10):119082. PMID 34153425 D
- Sun WD, Zhu XJ, Li JJ, et al. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT): a novel therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome. Front Pharmacol. 2024;15:1410479. PMID 38919254 (review)
- PubChem. 5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium, CID 950107: molecular formula C10H11N2+, molecular weight 159.21. Database record, read 15 Oct 2026. PubChem
- European Medicines Agency. Medicine data (centrally authorised medicines, data set generated 14 Oct 2026): no product with 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium as active substance. EMA regulator
- Finland. Lääkeluettelo (Fimea medicines list), 230/2025, annexes 1 and 1 A: 5-amino-1MQ not named. Finlex regulator
- World Anti-Doping Agency. The 2026 Prohibited List, class S0 Non-approved substances (in effect from 1 Jan 2026). WADA regulator
Sources read on 15 Oct 2026: PubMed abstracts, PMC full texts (sources 2-6), the EMA medicine data, Fimea's medicines list and the WADA Prohibited List.
Evidence levels: A = randomised human trial or meta-analysis · B = observational human study or case series · C = animal study · D = cell or laboratory study · E = not peer-reviewed · regulator = a regulator's assessment or decision, not research evidence. The marker official means official product information (summary of product characteristics or label); it is not research evidence. For a review, the level shows what kind of research the statement rests on. No level: statements that something has not been studied, reviews' interpretations, named hypotheses and the general rules in our certificate-of-analysis guide.
Content is general information about research, not medical advice. If you have symptoms, contact a healthcare professional.