Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase by 7-methoxyindazole and related substituted indazoles

The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of methoxyindazoles as new inh ibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase are presented. The 7-methoxyindaz ole, although less potent than 7-NI, is the most active compound of the ser ies in Lin in vitro enzymatic assay of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activ ity. This result shows that the nitro-substitution is not indispensable to the biological activity of the indazole ring. 7-Methoxyindazole possesses i n vivo NOS inhibitory as well and related antinociceptive properties, (C) 2 001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.