Novel liver-specific nitric oxide (NO) releasing drugs with bile acid as both NO carrier and targeting ligand

Abstract Novel liver-specific nitric oxide (NO) releasing drugs with bile acid as both the NO carrier and targeting ligand were designed and synthesized by direct nitration of the hydroxyl group in bile acids or the 3- O -hydroxyl alkyl derivatives, with the intact 24-COOH being preserved for hepatocyte specific recognition. Preliminary biological evaluation revealed that oral administrated targeted conjugates could protect mice against acute liver damage induced by acetaminophen or carbon tetrachloride. The nitrate level in the liver significantly increased after oral administration of 1e while nitrate level in the blood did not significantly change. Co-administration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) significantly antagonized the increase of nitrate in the liver resulted by administration of 1e .