Bicyclic amidine inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase: discovery of perhydro-iminopyrindine and perhydro-iminoquinoline as potent, orally active inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase

The synthesis and nitric oxide synthase inhibitory activity of bicyclic amidines are described. The 6,6 and 5,6 fused amidines 8a and 10a are potent, selective, and orally active iNOS inhibitors.