A series of aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Inhibitory potency of the unsubstituted aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones (i.e., benzonaphthyridones) was dependent on the position of the nitrogen atom within the core structure. The A ring nitrogen analogues (7-, 8-, and 10-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones) were an order of magnitude less potent than C ring nitrogen analogues (1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones). Preliminary stroke results from 1- and 2-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-one prompted structure-activity relationships to be established for several 2- and 3-substituted 1-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones. The 2-substituted 1-aza-5[H]-phenanthridin-6-ones were designed to improve the solubility and pharmacokinetic profiles for this series of PARP-1 inhibitors. Most importantly, three compounds from this series demonstrated statistically significant protective effects in rat models of stroke and heart ischemia.