Evaluation of the potential efficacy of the nitric oxide donor molsidomine for the treatment of schizophrenia

Nikolaos Pitsikas

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic devastating psychiatric disease characterized by a high recurrence rate. Pharmacological management of this disorder appears disappointing since it is associated with a lack of efficacy for negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, typical features of schizophrenia, and the presence of severe undesired side effects. Thus, novel molecules with high efficacy and low toxicity for the treatment of schizophrenia are urgently needed. The involvement of the gaseous molecule nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is well documented since low concentrations of nitric oxide are associated with this psychiatric disease. Therefore, chemicals able to normalize nitric oxide levels, such as nitric oxide donors, might be useful for the management of this type of schizophrenia. Molsidomine is a nitric oxide donor and is under investigation as a novel antischizophrenia agent. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate the potential efficacy of this molecule for the treatment of schizophrenia.

摘要：精神分裂症是一种复发率高的慢性破坏性精神疾病。这种疾病的药理学治疗似乎令人失望，因为它与阴性症状和认知缺陷（精神分裂症的典型特征）缺乏疗效以及存在严重的不良副作用有关。因此，迫切需要高效、低毒的新型精神分裂症治疗分子。气态分子一氧化氮在精神分裂症发病机制中的作用已得到充分证明，因为低浓度的一氧化氮与这种精神疾病有关。因此，能够使一氧化氮水平正常化的化学物质，如一氧化氮供体，可能对治疗这种类型的精神分裂症有用。莫西多明是一种一氧化氮供体，作为一种新型抗精神分裂症药物正在研究中。本综述的目的是批判性地评估该分子治疗精神分裂症的潜在疗效。精神分裂症是一种复发率高的慢性破坏性精神疾病。这种疾病的药理学治疗似乎令人失望，因为它与阴性症状和认知缺陷（精神分裂症的典型特征）缺乏疗效以及存在严重的不良副作用有关。因此，迫切需要高效、低毒的新型精神分裂症治疗分子。气态分子一氧化氮在精神分裂症发病机制中的作用已得到充分证明，因为低浓度的一氧化氮与这种精神疾病有关。因此，能够使一氧化氮水平正常化的化学物质，如一氧化氮供体，可能对治疗这种类型的精神分裂症有用。莫西多明是一种一氧化氮供体，作为一种新型抗精神分裂症药物正在研究中。本综述的目的是批判性地评估该分子治疗精神分裂症的潜在疗效。