python - Request Pooling Nginx-Gunicorn-Django -

i using nginx - gunicorn - django - mysql 1 of b2c applications..

the problem when number of users accessing app grows, mysql starts throwing many connections.. have following options -

1. increase number of mysql connections - done made 500
2. use mysql connection pooling - sub standard solutions using sqlalchemy - not sure
3. do http request connection pooling - throttle number of requests being served @ time

i need 2 , 3 above.. need throttling incoming requests not run out of mysql connections or other resources..