Diazeniumdiolates comprise a diverse class of NO-releasing compounds and materials that are known to exhibit sufficient stability to be useful as therapeutics. Diazeniumdiolated compounds have been attached to polymers, substrates, and medical devices for the treatment and management of a variety of diseases including cancer, inflammation, heart disease, and hypertension.  Despite the extensive literature available on NO and nitric oxide-releasing compounds, there remains a need for stable nitric oxide-releasing polymers, such as polysaccharides, or small molecules, such as monosaccharides and disaccharides, that exhibit a sustained release of nitric oxide for the treatment of disease.

This invention discloses novel materials and a method for producing nitric oxide (NO)-releasing derivatives of any material containing a reducing sugar component. It may be used to produce NO-releasing cotton bandages or surgical fabrics, cellulose filters or dialysis membranes, and drug formulating/compounding agents to prevent stomach irritation. The method involves incorporation of a diazeniumdiolate (-N2O2) group at one or more carbons via the base-catalyzed replacement of acidic hydrogens and is thus compatible with traditional polysaccharide processing techniques. Monosaccharides such as glucose may also be derivatized.

Competitive Advantages:

• Advanced wound healing compared to conventional bandages due to the incorporation of nitric oxide to facilitate healing and inhibit the formation of biofilms 

Commercial Applications:

• Delivery of nitric oxide to a desired area by incorporation of the nitric oxide-releasing polysaccharides into bandages, surgical dressings, or other cotton or saccharide based medical material.