Using hydrogen sulfide to design and develop drugs

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter, involved in the regulation of several biological functions. Conversely, impaired biosynthesis of H₂S is associated with important diseases. This paves the way for exciting pharmacological perspectives for drugs acting on the ‘H₂S system’.

Areas covered: At the beginning of this manuscript, the authors present the biological roles and mechanisms of action of hydrogen sulfide. The authors then discuss the developments in the modulation of the H₂S system via heterogeneous molecules, which behave as sources of exogenous H₂S, and are promising drugs for a number of diseases.

Expert opinion: The rate of H₂S generation, the physicochemical characteristics and the bioavailability greatly affect the overall pharmacological profile of each H₂S-releasing compound. Therefore, the development of broad collections of original moieties endowed with heterogeneous rates/mechanisms of H₂S release and a variety of physicochemical, biological and pharmacological features is the most timely and compelling issue in the field of H₂S-based drug discovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Gasotransmitters
• H₂S donors
• H₂S-releasing drug discovery
• Hydrogen sulfide

ORCID

Vincenzo Calderone http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1441-5421

Alma Martelli http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2090-7107

Lara Testai http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2431-6248

Valentina Citi http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9261-8497

Maria Breschi http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1618-0603