C20H26N4O2

C20H26N4O2 is the molecular formula for several chemical compounds. One notable compound with this formula is a xanthine derivative known as **pentoxifylline**. Pentoxifylline is a hemorheologic agent, meaning it improves blood flow. It is used medically to treat intermittent claudication, a condition causing leg pain during exercise due to poor circulation. Its mechanism of action involves increasing red blood cell flexibility, reducing blood viscosity, and inhibiting phosphodiesterase, which leads to increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This ultimately results in vasodilation and reduced platelet aggregation.

Another compound that can share the C20H26N4O2 formula is **theophylline**, a bronchodilator used to treat respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD. Theophylline is also a xanthine derivative and works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the airways, allowing for easier breathing. Its precise mechanism involves blocking adenosine receptors and inhibiting phosphodiesterase enzymes. While structurally related to caffeine and theobromine, theophylline has distinct pharmacological properties. The exact compound represented by C20H26N4O2 depends on the specific arrangement of atoms, known as its isomer.