A simple, biocompatible
system and procedure for generating
nitric oxide (NO) is described. A mixture of powdered
sodium nitrite,
ascorbic acid, and
maleic acid (or another
organic acid of adequate strength) immediately generates
nitric oxide (NO) on treatment with water. To slow down the NO generation, one may prepare an ointment from a nonaqueous medium (petrolatum,
Vaseline™) and the three powdered ingredients, which on being applied topically on the
skin will release NO as water permeates through this medium; alternatively, one may convert the aqueous
sodium nitrite solution into a gel with hydroxyethylcellulose (or other gel-forming compound) and combine this gel with another gel obtained from aqueous ascorbic and maleic acids with hydroxyethylcellulose for topical application (on
intact skin, burns intra-cavity, burns, intra-cavity, etc.). The two gels may be admixed immediately before use (possibly from a single container with separate chambers and dual
nozzle, via pushing or squeezing the two gels through the
nozzle), or may be applied in sandwich-like fashion (possibly as a
transdermal patch) for further slowing down the delivery of NO.