Studies on the Compounds of d4T Combined with Nitric Oxide Donors and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitors and their Anti-HIV and AIDS Activity

Stavudine, a potent anti HIV and AIDS related complex, is one of the Nucleoside Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NARTIs). It is phosphorylated intracellularly and then inhibits the viral reverse transcriptase by acting as a false substrate. Modifications made on the hydrogen labile at the 5’ position on the sugar is an interesting template for the elaboration of new potent anti HIV and AIDS drugs. The expected advantages of the modified stavudine prodrugs can be multiple: synergistic drug activities, enhancement of stavudine intracellular uptake, increase of stavudine brain delivery, and bypass of the first stavudine phosphorylation step into the cells. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors of stavudine and nitric oxide donors of stavudine may hold significant promise for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.