What Is Inosine? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

Inosine, also known as hypoxanthine ribonucleoside, is a nucleoside formed by connecting hypoxanthine and D-ribose via a β-N9-glycosidic bond. It is an important category of purine nucleosides, with wide application value in the global pharmaceutical industry, food additive industry, feed additive industry, and sports nutrition health product sector. Its molecular formula is C10H12N4O5, molecular weight is 268.23, CAS number is 58–63–9, and EINECS number is 200–390–4. Inosine is a naturally occurring endogenous purine nucleoside in living organisms and plays a central role as a key intermediate in the purine metabolism pathway and as a precursor for ATP synthesis. It is derived from the deamination of adenosine via adenosine deaminase (ADA). Inosine appears as a white crystalline powder, odorless, with a special sweet taste. Its solubility in water is approximately 2.1 g/100 mL at 20°C, with a weakly acidic pH of 4.8–5.8 (1% solution). Its melting point ranges from 212°C to 226°C (decomposes). It is stable at room temperature but must be stored protected from light and moisture.

Inosine is recognized as the core nucleoside of cellular energy metabolism, holding an irreplaceable position in the modern pharmaceutical, food, and feed industries. Its most outstanding core advantages lie in the multiple physiological functions endowed by its unique nucleoside structure, high safety from its natural origin, and wide application adaptability.

Unique Role as a Core Energy Metabolism Participant: Inosine is a key intermediate in the purine metabolism pathway and an important precursor for ATP synthesis. This unique energy metabolism regulation function makes it an important regulator of cellular energy balance.