Hydrogen Sulfide in Pharmacotherapy, Beyond the Hydrogen Sulfide-Donors

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the important biological mediators involved in physiological and pathological processes in mammals. Recently developed H2S donors show promising effects against several pathological processes in preclinical and early clinical studies. For example, H2S donors have been found to be effective in the prevention of gastrointestinal ulcers during anti-inflammatory treatment. Notably, there are well-established medicines used for the treatment of a variety of diseases, whose chemical structure contains sulfur moieties and may release H2S. Hence, the therapeutic effect of these drugs may be partly the result of the release of H2S occurring during drug metabolism and/or the effect of these drugs on the production of endogenous hydrogen sulfide. In this work, we review data regarding sulfur drugs commonly used in clinical practice that can support the hypothesis about H2S-dependent pharmacotherapeutic effects of these drugs.

H2S- and NO-releasing gasotransmitter platform: A crosstalk signaling pathway in the treatment of acute kidney injury

“…The development of different classes of H 2 S and NO donors represented an important pharmacological progress that has enabled the broad use of these gasotransmitters, in comparison to the direct applications in their gas form, which presents clinical limitations. In addition, there are different classes of H 2 S and NO donors that have short and long-lasting half-life [ 90 , 104 ]. An overview of potential applications of both gasotransmitters (H 2 S and NO) is schematically represented in Fig.…”

Diabetic Retinopathy: Mitochondria Caught in a Muddle of Homocysteine

“…In addition, there are many drugs available in the market containing sulfur moieties that release H 2 S ex vivo. These drugs may release H 2 S in vivo, and the sulfur moieties could function as an H 2 S donor affecting endogenous H 2 S metabolism; however, further research is needed to clarify the pharmacotherapeutic profile of parent drugs [ 87 ]. Efforts are being made in many laboratories to develop better H 2 S-releasing/-stimulating compounds [ 88 , 89 ].…”

A comprehensive review of therapeutic approaches available for the treatment of cholera

“…That led to the development of H 2 S donor molecules (which seek to reach acceptable levels of this molecule) against various pathological processes, some in preclinical and initial clinical studies. [137,138] Besides that, gaseous mediators quickly diffuse through tissues, presenting immediate effects, a fact that suggests that they could be used in cholera outbreaks.…”