Therapeutic potential of new hydrogen sulfide-releasing hybrids

Abstract

A new class of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-donating hybrids combined with pharmacologically active compounds is presented in this article. The pharmacological profiles of some hybrid lead compounds in the areas of inflammation, H₂S-donating diclofenac (ACS 15); cardiovascular, H₂S-donating aspirin (ACS 14); urology, H₂S-donating sildenafil (ACS 6); and neurodegenerative, H₂S-donating latanoprost (ACS 67) for glaucoma treatment and H₂S-donating levodopa (ACS 84) for Parkinson’s disease, are described. The new H₂S-releasing hybrids demonstrate remarkable improvement in activity and tolerability as compared with the related parent compounds, suggesting an active pharmacological role for H₂S. Finally the mechanism(s) of action of glutathione-dependent and independent, and of gas (H₂S) release (spontaneous or enzymatic) and its implications for clinical pharmacology perspectives will be also discussed.

Keywords::

• biomarker
• dithiolethione
• gaseous transmitter
• glutathione
• H₂S-donating hybrids
• hydrogen sulfide

Financial & competing interest disclosure

Piero Del Soldato and Giancarlo Santus are shareholders of CTG Pharma Milano, Italy. The company has patent on some compounds reported in this article. Anna Sparatore received a grant from CTG Pharma. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.