Abstract

Objective: The most used techniques to evaluate the inhibitor activity of different compounds on Nitric Oxide Synthases are presented.

Method: Griess assay, oxy-hemoglobin capture assay, Radio citrulline assay, and RP-HPLC assay.

Result: Griess assay, and oxy-hemoglobin capture assay detect the nitric oxide produced by NOS; while radio citrulline assay, and RP-HPLC assay take into consideration the concentration of Lcitrulline as stoichiometric to nitric oxide.

Conclusion: Griess assay and oxy-hemoglobin capture assay are suitable for a first screening of NOS activity, while the others could be used for a more precise activity determination.

Keywords: Nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, L-arginine, L-citrulline, griess assay, hemoglobin assay, citrulline assay, RPHPLC assay.

Graphical Abstract