The present invention provides a new class of compounds presenting a high compatibility
with tissues and organic fluids. Such new compounds are polysaccharides essentially
formed of units of uronic acid and/or hexosamine, containing nitro groups —ONO2
covalently bonded to the saccharide structure. Preferably, the polysaccharides
according to the invention are prevalently formed of disaccharide repeating units
formed of uronic acid and hexosamine. These compounds, in psychological conditions,
selectively release NO, allowing a reduction in the amount of NO needed to achieve
a determined therapeutical effect. This result has been achieved by functionalizing
polysaccharides essentially formed of units of uronic acid and/or hexosamine, with
subsituents containing a ONO
##CHR1##
2 ? group.