For NMN to be approved by the FDA as a therapeutic agent, this NAD+ precursor must be shown to be both safe and effective in treating medical conditions in humans. These studies typically are informed and guided by preclinical studies — a stage of research that begins before clinical trials and during which important feasibility, iterative testing, and drug safety data are collected, typically in laboratory animals or cultured human cells.
A growing list of studies has shown that NMN can compensate for age- and disease-related deficiencies in NAD+ in rodents. These preclinical studies, which are necessary to establish a foundation in clinical value before human investigation, have shown that NMN can boost NAD+ levels and affect the course of rodent healthspan and longevity.
The results of these preclinical studies have paved the way for testing whether the benefits of NMN translate into humans. Several clinical trials have been launched to investigate the safety and benefits of NMN on human physiology and health. To date, two human clinical trials have been completed showing the safety and benefit of NMN in people.
Several clinical trials have been or are being conducted at research institutions or universities and by biotechnology companies.
For example, two clinical trials are being conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine:
On June 30, 2021, the clinical trial NCT03151239, titled Effect of “Nicotinamide Mononucleotide” (NMN) on Cardiometabolic Function, was completed. This study looks at the safety and effect of 500 mg of NMN for at least eight weeks on essential cardiovascular and metabolic functions, specifically important risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, the investigators evaluate NMN’s effect on how well the hormone insulin works to control blood sugar. The investigators will also look at the effects of NMN on blood lipids, body and liver fat, and other blood, fat tissue, and muscle tissue markers of cardiovascular (heart) and metabolic health.
The Washington University School of Medicine is also conducting another clinical trial, NCT04571008, titled Effect of NMN Supplementation on Organ System Biology (VAN), which began in October 2020 and has a target completion date of September 2025. This study is complementary to the clinical trial NCT03151239, with similar measures of muscle insulin sensitivity. The main difference is that this trial evaluates a lower dose of NMN (300 mg) over a more extended period (16 weeks).
In addition, there are various clinical trials on NMN being conducted by the Swiss biotechnology company Seneque SA, with one completed and two currently ongoing:
The completed clinical trial NCT04685096, titled Anti-ageing Efficacy of a Cosmetic Formulation Containing NMN (2%) Versus Placebo, was completed on April 16, 2021. This trial aims to evaluate skin wrinkling, puffiness, and fatigue dark circle appearance on Asian and African-American healthy volunteer cohorts receiving a cosmetic formulation containing NMN (2%). The product was evaluated after 28 and 56 days of twice-daily application compared to a reference cosmetic formulation using clinical scoring under dermatological control.
The ongoing clinical trial NCT04862338, titled Pharmacodynamics and Tolerance of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN, 400mg/Day) in Healthy Adults, has a targeted completion date of October 1, 2021. In this trial, Senesque SA is evaluating the physiological and biological actions of their proprietary NMN supplement (NMN-C) in healthy adults receiving a repeated dose over 28 days by studying the tolerance and pharmacodynamics of this product. The clinical trial will measure the change in blood NAD+ levels at days 14 and 28 after taking NMN and evaluate the study participants for adverse physiological events, such as high blood pressure or heart rate fluctuations. This clinical trial has completed recruiting and is actively being conducted.
Senesque SA’s second ongoing clinical trial, NCT04664361, titled Effect of NMN on Muscle Recovery and Physical Capacity in Healthy Volunteers With Moderate Physical Activity, has been recruiting participants since March 9, 2021. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of NMN supplementation (250 and 500 mg/day over 38 days) compared to placebo in healthy volunteers with moderate physical activity on muscle recovery, physical capacity, cardiorespiratory recovery, and the perception of the arduousness of the effort. The study will also look at blood lactate levels before and after physical exercise, the perception of the intensity of post-exercise muscle pain (cramps), body composition, and NAD+ level in blood. Details of these clinical trials and others that are ongoing or have recently concluded are summarized in the table below.
| Status | Sponsors and Collaborators | Study Title | Conditions | Overview |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recruiting | Seneque SACEN BiotechLGD | Pharmacodynamics and Tolerance of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN, 400 mg/Day) in Healthy Adults | Healthy Volunteers | Study the tolerance to NMN with 28 days of repeated doses |
| Completed, No Results Posted | EffePharm LTDProRelix Services LLP | Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Uthever NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, a Form of Vitamin B3) | Aging | Evaluate the safety and efficacy of NMN |
| Active, not recruiting | Washington UniversitySchool of Medicine | Effect of “Nicotinamide Mononucleotide” (NMN) on Cardiometabolic Function | Glucose Metabolism Disorders | Determine NMN’s effect on metabolic health |
| Not yet recruiting | Abinopharm, IncProRelix Services LLP | To Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of NMN as an Anti-Agieing Supplement in Middle Aged and Older (40-65 Years) Adults | Aging | Measure NMN’s effects on aging markers like walking endurnace and telomere length |
| Recruiting | Washington UniversitySchool of Medicine | Effect of NMN Supplementation on Organ System Biology | Glucose Metabolism Disorders | Find out whether NMN’s beneficial metabolic effects in rodents applies to people |
| Recruiting | Seneque SACEN NutrimentCentre d’Expertise de la PerformanceLGD | Effect of NMN on Muscle Recovery and Physical Capacity in Healthy Volunteers With Moderate Physical Activity | Physical Activity Muscle Recovery | Study NMN’s effects on muscle recovery after moderate exercise |
| Completed, No Results Posted | Seneque SAEurofinsLGD | Anti-ageing Efficacy of a Cosmetic Formuation Containing NMN (2%) Versus Placebo | Wrinkle Fatigue Puffiness Around the Eyes | Evaluate skin wrinkling, puffiness, and dark circle appearance around the eyes after NMN-containing cosmetic formula application |
| Not yet recruiting | First Affiliated HospitalSun Yat-Sen University | Nicotinamide Mononucleotide in Hypertensive Patients | Hypertension | Evaluate effects of NMN supplementation on vascular function and blood pressure |
| Completed, No Results Posted | Pharma Foods International Co., Ltd. | Safety evaluation of excess ingestion of NMN-containing foods in humans | Healthy Adults | The assessment of physical examinations, urinalysis, and blood tests after NMN consumption |
| Completed, No Results Posted | Japan Clinical Trial Association | Anti-wrinkle effect of beauty essence containing human stem cell components and NMN | Healthy Adult Female | Evaluate the effect on wrinkles of an adult female |
| Completed, No Results Posted | Healthcare Systems Co., Ltd. | Exploratory study on the health promotion effect of intake NMN-containing supplement | Healthy Male Adults | Measure oxidative stress level (urinary 8-OHdg, urinary creatine) and 8-OHdg in semen after NMN supplementation |
| Completed, No Results Posted | Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, The University of Tokyo Hospital | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group comparative study to evaluate the effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on the body composition in elderly persons | Healthy Subjects | Evaluate effect of NMN oral administration on skeletal muscle index |
| Open public recruiting | Keio University School of Medicine | Assessment of the safety of long-term nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) in healthy subjects; phase II study. The clinical trial to evaluate metabolic-syndrome-related parameters to develop NMN as Foods with Function Claims. | Healthy Subjects | Assessment of the safety of long-term NMN in healthy subjects and to examine kinetics of metabolites of nicotinamde and the effect of daily administration of NMN on glucose metabolism. |
| Completed, Not Posted | Hiroshima University | Effect of long-term oral administration of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) on human health | Healthy Volunteers | Evaluate the effect of long-term oral administration of NMN on various hormonal levels as an exploratory trial |
| Completed, Not Posted | Keio University School of Medicine | Assessment of the safety of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) in healthy subjects; phase I study. The clinical trial to evaluate metabolic-syndrome-related parameters to develop NMN as Foods with Function Claims. | Healthy Subjects | Assessment of the safety and kinetics of NMN in healthy subjects |
| Completed | Guangzhou Sport University | Exercise-nutrition intervention for health promotion in China: a multicenter study | Healthy amateur runners | Examine the effects of NMN supplementation with exercise on cardiopulmonary endurance |