BAM15 increases mitochondrial respiration rate and is also found to be less cytotoxic compared to other protonophore uncouplers such as carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. Hindered oncogenic MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase ) signaling leads to BAM15 induced mitochondrial apoptotic pathway activation.
BAM15 is a cell penetrant and potent uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria that that does not depolarizes the plasma membrane. BAM15 protects mice from acute renal ischemic-reperfusion injury.