Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors with cardiovascular therapeutic potential

Abstract

The recent patent literature concerning inhibitors of the various nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and their therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disorders is reviewed. Though the preponderance of data points to the intimate involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and the NOS isoforms in multiple cardiovascular disease states, it is not completely clear if and how NOS inhibitors with varied selectivity profiles will be beneficial. However, patents and patent applications encompassing a wide variety of structural types claim therapeutic use in cardiovascular diseases. This patent literature is examined and structural comparisons between the inhibitors and the endogenous ligands and co-factors are discussed.

• amidines
• amino acid
• aminoguanidine
• arginine
• cardiovascular
• endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF)
• eNOS
• guanidines
• heart failure
• hypotension
• inflammation
• iNOS
• nitric oxide (NO)
• nitric oxide synthase (NOS)
• nNOS
• NOS expression
• septic shock
• stroke
• tetrahydrobiopterin