It has been reported that nitric oxide raises c-GMP in the vascular muscle
to cause vasodilation and to improve blood flow in the retina. Consequently
, a diverse group of potential nitric oxide (NO) donors were synthesized an
d evaluated for their effectiveness in improving the retinal function after
ischemic insult. These compounds include an NO carrier, N-acetyl-S-nitroso
glutathione (RVC-593), several NO donors such as N-nitropyrazole derivative
s (RVC-595, RVC-596, RVC-597, RVC-598, and RVC-599) and two fused N-heteroc
ycles, 4H-[1,2,5]oxadiazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-5,7-dione 1-oxides, (RVC-600 a
nd RVC-601). Most of the compounds demonstrated the pharmacological activit
y in the ophthalmic model, except the pyrazole derivatives RVC-595, RVC-596
and RVC-599) that bear bulky aromatic substituents at the R-2-position.