Nitrosoprodenafil

Nitrosoprodenafil
Clinical data
Routes of
administration		oral
ATC code
  • None
Identifiers
  • 2-[(5-[5-(3,5-Dimethylpiperazine-1-sulfonyl)-2-ethoxyphenyl]-1-methyl-3-propyl-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)oxy]-N-methyl-N-nitroso-1,3-thiazol-5-amine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC28H38N8O5S2
Molar mass630.78 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • CCCc1c2c(c(nc(n2)c3cc(ccc3OCC)S(=O)(=O)N4C[C@H](N[C@H](C4)C)C)Oc5ncc(s5)N(C)N=O)n(n1)C
  • InChI=1S/C27H35N9O5S2/c1-7-9-20-23-24(35(6)32-20)26(41-27-28-13-22(42-27)34(5)33-37)31-25(30-23)19-12-18(10-11-21(19)40-8-2)43(38,39)36-14-16(3)29-17(4)15-36/h10-13,16-17,29H,7-9,14-15H2,1-6H3/t16-,17+
  • Key:DTAKXJYYAUWRND-CALCHBBNSA-N

Nitrosoprodenafil is a synthetic designer drug found in "herbal" aphrodisiac products, which is a novel nitrosated analogue of sildenafil (Viagra). It has an innovative structure which acts as a prodrug, breaking down in the body to release both the PDE5 inhibitor aildenafil as well as free nitric oxide, which have powerfully synergistic effects. This dual mechanism of action has never been exploited by conventional pharmaceutical companies because of the risks involved; usually combining PDE5 inhibitors with nitric oxide releasers like amyl nitrite is contraindicated as it can cause a precipitous drop in blood pressure that can potentially result in death. Nitrosamines are also generally avoided in drug development as they can often be hepatotoxic and carcinogenic, so while the combined mechanisms of action are likely to be effective, this drug also has severe risks of toxicity.[1]

Shortly after Venhuis et al. published the suggested structure for nitrosoprodenafil, it was contested by Demizu et al. who suggested the structure was an azathioprine/aildenafil hybrid.[2] This newly suggested structure was dubbed 'mutaprodenafil' because of the structural similarity with the mutagenic immunosuppressive drug azathioprine.

The final confirmation of the azathioprine/aildenafil hybrid was provided by Sakamoto et al. who prepared crystals for X-ray analysis.[3] Although Sakamoto et al. support the name 'mutaprodenafil', they prefer to use 'nitrosoprodenafil' instead.

  1. ^ Venhuis BJ, Zomer G, Hamzink M, Meiring HD, Aubin Y, de Kaste D (March 2011). "The identification of a nitrosated prodrug of the PDE-5 inhibitor aildenafil in a dietary supplement: a Viagra with a pop". Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 54 (4): 735–41. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2010.11.020. PMID 21145686.
  2. ^ Demizu Y, Wakana D, Kamakura H, Kurihara M, Okuda H, Goda Y (2011). "Identification of mutaprodenafil in a dietary supplement and its subsequent synthesis". Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 59 (10): 1314–6. doi:10.1248/cpb.59.1314. PMID 21963647.
  3. ^ Sakamoto M, Moriyasu T, Minowa K, Kishimoto K, Kadoi H, Hamano T, Fukaya H (2012). "Structure elucidation of a novel analog of sildenafil detected as an adulterant in a dietary supplement using LC-UV and LC/MS". Journal of AOAC International. 95 (4): 1048–52. doi:10.5740/jaoacint.11-235. PMID 22970570.