Novel, orally effective cyanide antidotes.

Herbert T Nagasawa, David J W Goon, Daune L Crankshaw, Robert Vince, Steven E Patterson

Index: J. Med. Chem. 50(26) , 6462-4, (2007)

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Abstract

A series of prodrugs of 3-mercaptopyruvate (3-MP), the substrate for the enzyme 3-mercaptopyruvate/cyanide sulfurtransferase (3-MPST) that converts cyanide to the nontoxic thiocyanate, which are highly effective cyanide antidotes, have been developed. These prodrugs of 3-MP are unique in being not only orally bioavailable, but may be administered up to an hour prior to cyanide as a prophylactic agent and are both rapid- or slow-acting when given parenterally.