The identification of a nitrosated prodrug of the PDE-5 inhibitor aildenafil in a dietary supplement: A Viagra with a pop
2011
Venhuis, B.J. | Zomer, G. | Hamzink, M. | Meiring, H.D. | Aubin, Y. | de Kaste, D.
A new unapproved analogue of sildenafil was detected in capsules of a herbal dietary supplement promoted as a libido enhancing product. Using LC–DAD–MS, MS–MS, HRMS, IR and NMR the analogue was shown to be a derivative of the PDE-5 inhibitor aildenafil with a nitrosamine moiety. A hydrolysis experiment showed that the new analogue was a prodrug of aildenafil and was therefore named nitroso-prodenafil. A capsule contained 108mg of nitroso-prodenafil which is equivalent to 84mg of aildenafil and 5.1mg of nitrogen monoxide (NO). Although it is unknown how much NO can be usefully generated there is 3-fold more NO present than in a 10mg isorbide nitrate tablet. Both PDE-5 inhibitors and nitrosamines cause vasodilatation by increasing levels of NO. To their coincidental use is warned against because it may cause a fatal drop in blood pressure. In addition, nitrosamines are known carcinogens. This is the first time a PDE-5 inhibitor and a potential NO donor were identified in one molecule. The findings indicate the dangerous level of advancement in medicinal chemistry by producers of unapproved drugs.
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