Methods and compositions for mitigating pain

Abstract

Methods and therapeutic compounds for treating pain, mitigating inflammation, effecting analgesia and/or effecting sedation in a subject are described. A subject is administered an effective amount of a therapeutic compound which is a nitrate ester. Novel pharmaceutical compositions are also described.

1 . A method for treating pain in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a therapeutic compound, wherein said therapeutic compound is of the formula (Ia):  
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       F 2  is a nitrate group or an organic radical which may be joined in a cyclic ring system with  
       G 2 , and which may contain inorganic counterions;  
       E is a methylene group;  
       G 1  is a methylene group or does not exist;  
       F 1  is H; and  
       G 2  is joined with F 2  to form a cyclic system or is R N -Z N ; wherein R N  is an organic radical possessing a heteroaryl group containing a P or S atom, where said P or S is positioned β, γ, or δ to a nitrate group; and Z N  is W N   nwn -X N   nn -Y N   oo ; wherein  
       mm, nn, oo are 0 or 1 and W N , X N , Y N  are NH, NR NN , CO, O, or CH 2 ; wherein  
       R NN  is a C 1 -C 12  alkyl group.