Nicotinic acid pharmacological properties

The substantial interest in the pharmacological properties of nonsteroidal antiinflammatories prompted the development of a number of pyridine derivatives with analgesic activity. Thus, treatment of the N-oxide of nicotinic acid with phosphorus trichloride followed by hydrolysis of the resulting acid chloride gives (75), a precursor to nifluminic acid (76a) (66BSF2316), flunixin (76b) (B-80MI20903) and clonixin (76c) (67NEP6603357). 

Pyrrole and furan derivatives are important classes of five-membered heterocycles found in many natural products. Pyrrole nucleus takes part of proline (amino acid), nicotine (tobacco alkaloid), bile pigments, vitamin B12, and, especially, hemoglobin and chlorophyll (group of porphyrins). Additionally, they exhibit a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. Pyrroles and substituted pyrroles are important heterocyclic compounds having different biological activities, which are related to their pharmacological properties such as antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antitumoral, and antioxidant activities, as well as treatment of hyperlipidemias [44],... 

In recent years, both nicotinamide and nicotinic acid have been proposed and tested for possibly useful pharmacological properties at high intake levels. This new phase of interest in the vitamin has, in turn, raised concerns about the possible side effects of high intakes, and the definition of maximum safe intakes. 

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