Furoxan derivatives as NO-donors

In this work the synthesis and the study of both the NO-donating properties and in vitro vasodilating activities of a series of water soluble furoxans are reported. Results obtained show that appropriate substitution on the furoxan ring allows modulation of NO-donating properties over a wide range as well as spontaneous NO-release in physiological conditions. Correlation between the initial rates of the NO-release and the in vitro vasodilating potencies of the water soluble furoxans analyzed is also discussed.