Used primarily in biochemical research, the NADP⁺/NADPH system plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism, particularly in anabolic reactions such as lipid and nucleic acid synthesis. The reduced form, NADPH, serves as a reducing agent in photosynthesis, aiding in the conversion of carbon dioxide to glucose. Additionally, NADP⁺ is essential in the pentose phosphate pathway, where it is reduced to NADPH and helps generate ribose-5-phosphate for nucleotide synthesis. In pharmaceutical studies, it is utilized to understand oxidative stress and antioxidant mechanisms involving NADPH. It also finds application in enzyme assays and studies involving redox reactions, providing insights into cellular energy production and detoxification processes.