N-Nitroso-N-methylurea

Name: N-Nitroso-N-methylurea
Brand: MedChemExpress
SKU: HY-34758
Rating: 5.0 (19 reviews)

Cat. No.: HY-34758 Purity: 99.74%: Data Sheet
COA

SDS
Handling Instructions
FAQs
Technical Support

N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU;MNU;NMH) is a potent carcinogen, mutagen and teratogenand. N-Nitroso-N-methylurea is a direct-acting alkylating agent that interacts with DNA. N-Nitroso-N-methylurea targets multiple animal organs to cause various cancer and/or degenerative disease. N-Nitroso-N-methylurea is also a precursor in the synthesis of diazomethane.

For research use only. We do not sell to patients.

CAS No. : 684-93-5

Size	Stock	Quantity
Free Sample (0.1 - 0.2 mg)	Apply Now
100 mg	In-stock	Estimated Time of Arrival: December 31
250 mg	In-stock	Estimated Time of Arrival: December 31
500 mg	In-stock	Estimated Time of Arrival: December 31
1 g	In-stock	Estimated Time of Arrival: December 31
2 g	In-stock	Estimated Time of Arrival: December 31
5 g	In-stock	Estimated Time of Arrival: December 31
10 g	Get quote
50 g	Get quote

or Bulk Inquiry

* Please select Quantity before adding items.

This product is a controlled substance and not for sale in your territory.

Customer Review

Based on 19 publication(s) in Google Scholar

Other Forms of N-Nitroso-N-methylurea:

N-Nitroso-N-methylurea-d₅ Get quote

19 Publications Citing Use of MCE N-Nitroso-N-methylurea

RT-PCR

IHC

: N-Nitroso-N-methylurea purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Nov 25;122(47):e2509312122. [Abstract]; Quantification of GSH-DNA adducts in WT HEK293A, HEK293A TDP1 KO,and HEK293A APE1 KO cells under 1 mM N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (MNU) treatment for 8 h or 0.1% DMSO vehicle control (VC).

: N-Nitroso-N-methylurea purchased from MedChemExpress. Usage Cited in: Cell Commun Signal. 2025 Jun 4;23(1):267. [Abstract]; Representative images of TUNEL and IBA1 co-staining in Vehicle+IgG control, Tamoxifen+IgG control and Tamoxifen+ IFN-I blockade group with (1 day and 3 days after MNU administration, 60 mg/kg, BW, ip) and without MNU treatment.

Featured Recommendations

•Related Screening Libraries:

•Related Small Molecules:

•Related Proteins:

Biological Activity
Purity & Documentation
References
Customer Review

Description

Cellular Effect

Cell Line	Type	Value	Description	References
HeLa S3	IC₅₀	> 100 μM Compound: MNU	Cytotoxicity against human HeLaS3 cells assessed as cell viability after 24 to 72 hrs by MTT assay Cytotoxicity against human HeLaS3 cells assessed as cell viability after 24 to 72 hrs by MTT assay	[PMID: 24863982]

In Vitro

N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU; 5 μM) treatment increases the cellular NF-κB activity in human malignant keratinocytes. N-Nitroso-N-methylurea also increases the amount of I-κBα phosphorylation^[5].

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

In Vivo

Note:
Please do not refer to only one article to determine the experimental conditions. It is recommended to determine the optimal experimental conditions (animal strain, age, dosage, frequency and cycle, detection time and indicators, etc.) through preliminary experiments before the formal experiment.

N-Nitroso-N-methylurea can be used in animal modeling to construct rat tumor models.

N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) gives intravenously to rats at age 50 days induced mammary carcinomas in 89% of BUF/N, 73% of Sprague-Dawley, and 89% of F344 females. Latent periods are, respectively, 77, 86, and 94 days. Doubling times of NMU-induced primary and transplanted carcinomas are similar to 7 days. Cachexia ensues at the 5th week from the onset of the first tumor. When the tumor is larger than 15 g, hypercalcemia is usually observed^[1].

N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) can be used to create models of gastric cancer and breast cancer^[6]^[7].

Induction of Gastric Cancer^[6]

Background

N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) is a direct-acting alkylating agent that interacts with DNA. Accumulation of mutations may enhance cancer risk in target organs or cause cell death in susceptible tissues or cells when excessive DNA damage is not repaired. MNU targets various organs in a variety of animal species^[2].

Specific Mmodeling Methods

Rat: albino Wistar • male • 5-6-week-old; 110-140 g
Administration: 100 mg/kg • ig • thrice in a week for 16 weeks

Note

(1) Dissolved in citrate buffer and 5% saline thrice in a week via intragastric route for 16 weeks.
(2) The level of cancer induction was identified by specific biochemical markers such as serum gastrin level, TBARS, and glutathione followed by histopathological analysis at two-time periods for 8 and 16 week.

Modeling Indicators

Individual phenotypic changes: showed a significant decrease in body weight, water intake, and feed intake.
Molecular changes: increased the mean serum gastrin level, increased level of lipid peroxidation and decreased reduced glutathione level in gastric tissues.
Tissue changes: MNU-induced rats disclosed that the non-glandular stomach epithelium was hypertrophic with vacuolations and orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis after 16 wk of MNU induction but vacuolations and hyperkeartosis were not that much observed at 8 wk of MNU induction.

Induction of Breast Cancer^[7]

Background

DNA Damage: After entering the body, MNU can be metabolically activated to form active nitrosyl compounds. These compounds react with DNA molecules, causing DNA strand breaks or base modifications, particularly alkylations such as O6-methylguanine. If not repaired, this type of damage can lead to mutations during cell division.
Gene Mutations: Due to the aforementioned DNA damage not being effectively repaired, errors may occur when cells replicate DNA, resulting in gene mutations. These mutations can affect key processes such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis signaling pathways, and DNA repair mechanisms, thereby promoting tumor initiation and progression.
Uncontrolled Cell Proliferation: Gene mutations induced by MNU can activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressor genes, disrupting normal cell growth control mechanisms. This results in cells losing their responsiveness to external growth inhibitory signals, leading to abnormal proliferation.
Pro-inflammatory Environment: Research has shown that MNU may also promote tumor development by altering the local microenvironment, such as increasing the expression of inflammatory factors. A chronic inflammatory state is considered an important factor in tumor development, as it can promote angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and other processes that favor cancer progression.

Specific Modeling Methods

Rat: Albino Wistar • female • 35-day-old; 110-140 g
Administration: 50 mg/kg • ip • at 50, 65, and 80 days of age

Note

Modeling Indicators

Molecular changes: increased cyclin D1 expression, and showed p21^Cip1 overexpression.
Tissue changes: observed breast tumors, and increased the mean volumes of tumors.

MedChemExpress (MCE) has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

Molecular Weight

103.08

Formula

C₂H₅N₃O₂

CAS No.

684-93-5

Appearance

Solid

Color

White to yellow

SMILES

O=C(N)N(C)N=O

Shipping

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

Storage

-20°C, protect from light, stored under nitrogen

*In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light, stored under nitrogen)

Solvent & Solubility

In Vitro:

DMSO : 125 mg/mL (1212.65 mM; Need ultrasonic; Hygroscopic DMSO has a significant impact on the solubility of product, please use newly opened DMSO)

Preparing
Stock Solutions

Concentration Solvent Mass	1 mg	5 mg	10 mg

1 mM	9.7012 mL	48.5060 mL	97.0120 mL
5 mM	1.9402 mL	9.7012 mL	19.4024 mL
10 mM	0.9701 mL	4.8506 mL	9.7012 mL

View the Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

* Please refer to the solubility information to select the appropriate solvent. Once prepared, please aliquot and store the solution to prevent product inactivation from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Storage method and period of stock solution: -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light, stored under nitrogen). When stored at -80°C, please use it within 6 months. When stored at -20°C, please use it within 1 month.

Molarity Calculator
Dilution Calculator

Mass (g) = Concentration (mol/L) × Volume (L) × Molecular Weight (g/mol)

Concentration _(start) × Volume _(start) = Concentration _(final) × Volume _(final)

This equation is commonly abbreviated as: C₁V₁ = C₂V₂

Concentration _(start)

Volume _(start)

Concentration _(final)

Volume _(final)

In Vivo:

Select the appropriate dissolution method based on your experimental animal and administration route.

For the following dissolution methods, please ensure to first prepare a clear stock solution using an In Vitro approach and then sequentially add co-solvents:
To ensure reliable experimental results, the clarified stock solution can be appropriately stored based on storage conditions. As for the working solution for in vivo experiments, it is recommended to prepare freshly and use it on the same day.
The percentages shown for the solvents indicate their volumetric ratio in the final prepared solution. If precipitation or phase separation occurs during preparation, heat and/or sonication can be used to aid dissolution.

Protocol 1

Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 40% PEG300 5% Tween-80 45% Saline
Solubility: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (20.18 mM); Clear solution

This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (saturation unknown).
Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (20.8 mg/mL) to 400 μL PEG300, and mix evenly; then add 50 μL Tween-80 and mix evenly; then add 450 μL Saline to adjust the volume to 1 mL.
Preparation of Saline: Dissolve 0.9 g sodium chloride in ddH₂O and dilute to 100 mL to obtain a clear Saline solution.
Protocol 2

Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 90% (20% SBE-β-CD in Saline)
Solubility: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (20.18 mM); Clear solution

This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (saturation unknown).
Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (20.8 mg/mL) to 900 μL 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline, and mix evenly.
Preparation of 20% SBE-β-CD in Saline (4°C, storage for one week): 2 g SBE-β-CD powder is dissolved in 10 mL Saline, completely dissolve until clear.
Protocol 3

Add each solvent one by one: 10% DMSO 90% Corn Oil
Solubility: ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (20.18 mM); Clear solution

This protocol yields a clear solution of ≥ 2.08 mg/mL (saturation unknown). If the continuous dosing period exceeds half a month, please choose this protocol carefully.
Taking 1 mL working solution as an example, add 100 μL DMSO stock solution (20.8 mg/mL) to 900 μL Corn oil, and mix evenly.

In Vivo Dissolution Calculator

Please enter the basic information of animal experiments:

Dosage

mg/kg

Animal weight
(per animal)

Dosing volume
(per animal)

μL

Number of animals

Recommended: Prepare an additional quantity of animals to account for potential losses during experiments.

Please enter your animal formula composition:

DMSO +

Tween-80 +

Saline

Recommended: Keep the proportion of DMSO in working solution below 2% if your animal is weak.

The co-solvents required include: DMSO, . All of co-solvents are available by MedChemExpress (MCE). , Tween 80. All of co-solvents are available by MedChemExpress (MCE).

Calculation results:

Working solution concentration: mg/mL

Method for preparing stock solution: mg drug dissolved in μL DMSO (Stock solution concentration: mg/mL).

*In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (protect from light, stored under nitrogen)

The concentration of the stock solution you require exceeds the measured solubility. The following solution is for reference only. If necessary, please contact MedChemExpress (MCE).

Method for preparing in vivo working solution for animal experiments: Take μL DMSO stock solution, add μL . μL , mix evenly, next add μL Tween 80, mix evenly, then add μL Saline.

If the continuous dosing period exceeds half a month, please choose this protocol carefully.

Please ensure that the stock solution in the first step is dissolved to a clear state, and add co-solvents in sequence. You can use ultrasonic heating (ultrasonic cleaner, recommended frequency 20-40 kHz), vortexing, etc. to assist dissolution.

Purity & Documentation

Purity: 99.74%

Select Batch:

Data Sheet (283 KB) SDS (796 KB)

COA (244 KB) HNMR (236 KB) RP-HPLC (229 KB)

Handling Instructions (2659 KB)

References

[1]. Gullino PM, et al. N-nitrosomethylurea as mammary gland carcinogen in rats. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1975 Feb;54(2):401-14. [Content Brief]

[2]. Tsubura A, et al. Review: Animal models of N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary cancer and retinal degeneration with special emphasis on therapeutic trials. In Vivo. 2011 Jan-Feb;25(1):11-22. [Content Brief]

[3]. Johnson EM, et al. Effects of N-nitroso-N-methylurea on enzymatic ontogeny associated with teratogenesis. Teratology. 1968 May;1(2):179-91. [Content Brief]

[4]. Silvia Garbarino, et al. One-pot synthesis of α-haloketones employing a membrane-based semibatch diazomethane generator. Journal of Flow Chemistry volume 6, pages211-217(2016).

[5]. Moon KY. N-nitroso-N-methylurea and N-nitroso-N-ethylurea induce upregulation of cellular NF-kappa B activity through protein kinase C-dependent pathway in human malignant keratinocytes. Arch Pharm Res. 2010 Jan;33(1):133-9. [Content Brief]

[6]. Mansingh DP, et al. Palliative Role of Aqueous Ginger Extract on N-Nitroso-N-Methylurea-Induced Gastric Cancer. Nutr Cancer. 2020;72(1):157-169. [Content Brief]

[7]. Ashrafi M, et al. Effect of Crocin on Cell Cycle Regulators in N-Nitroso-N-Methylurea-Induced Breast Cancer in Rats. DNA Cell Biol. 2015 Nov;34(11):684-91. [Content Brief]

Complete Stock Solution Preparation Table

Optional Solvent	Concentration Solvent Mass	1 mg	5 mg	10 mg	25 mg

DMSO	1 mM	9.7012 mL	48.5060 mL	97.0120 mL	242.5301 mL
	5 mM	1.9402 mL	9.7012 mL	19.4024 mL	48.5060 mL
	10 mM	0.9701 mL	4.8506 mL	9.7012 mL	24.2530 mL
	15 mM	0.6467 mL	3.2337 mL	6.4675 mL	16.1687 mL
	20 mM	0.4851 mL	2.4253 mL	4.8506 mL	12.1265 mL
	25 mM	0.3880 mL	1.9402 mL	3.8805 mL	9.7012 mL
	30 mM	0.3234 mL	1.6169 mL	3.2337 mL	8.0843 mL
	40 mM	0.2425 mL	1.2127 mL	2.4253 mL	6.0633 mL
	50 mM	0.1940 mL	0.9701 mL	1.9402 mL	4.8506 mL
	60 mM	0.1617 mL	0.8084 mL	1.6169 mL	4.0422 mL
	80 mM	0.1213 mL	0.6063 mL	1.2127 mL	3.0316 mL
	100 mM	0.0970 mL	0.4851 mL	0.9701 mL	2.4253 mL