NITRIC OXIDE: A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC TARGET

Nitric oxide (NO), the most potent natural vasorelaxant, has close relation to cardiovascular physiology, inspite of its complex chemistry; it is a signaltransducing radical. Aspects of NO biology critical to gastrointestinal health and, consequently, nutritional status are increasingly being recognized. Cross- talk between NO and micronutrients within and outside the gastrointestinal system affects the establishment or progression of several diseases with pressing medical needs. Some studies imply that NO has cytotoxic properties and is the genesis of numerous diseases and degenerative states, whereas other reports suggest that NO prevents injurious conditions from developing and promotes events which return tissue to homeostasis. NO or related species have been implicated in the regulation of many genes that participate in many diverse biological functions including programmed cell death or apoptosis. Along with cell apoptotic function, it also plays several roles in others parts of the body. In this review we are describing a gestalt on NO, which includes the various synthetic approaches, isoforms of NOS & its related aspects, multifactorial biological applications, its therapeutic applications in various diseases.