Front Cover: Synthesis and Vasorelaxant Activity of Nitrate−Coumarin Derivatives (ChemMedChem 21/2022)

The Front Cover shows the most active molecule of a series of nitrate coumarins, coumarin-7-yl-methyl nitrate, that “magically” releases nitric oxide into the bloodstream, leading to a vasodilatory effect. Synthesized nitrate−coumarins show potent vasodilator activity on isolated rat aortic rings deprived of endothelium, with a higher effect on those rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine than potassium chloride. This suggests that the opening of potassium channels may be involved in their vasorelaxant mechanism of action. Cover design by Maria João Matos with graphic components reused with permission: Red blood cells flowing background by ′Macrovector—Freepik.com′ available at Freepik; Tale composition with magic wand and magician hat by ′Starline—Freepik.com′ available at Freepik. More information can be found in the Research Article by Maria João Matos et al.