N G-Nitro-L-arginine displays potent inhibitory activity against nitric oxide synthase with selectivity of NOS1 and NOS3 over NOS2. It has been observed to inhibit endothelial nitric oxide biosynthesis and decrease radical generation of peroxynitrite ions. Other inhibitory effects demonstrated in experiments include blocking brady-kinin-induced relaxation in dog coronary artery strips and suppressing morphine tolerance in mice. N G-Nitro-L-arginine causes significant vasoconstriction and is utilized in studying nitric oxide as a neuronal messenger.
