Hydrogen Sulfide: A New Tool to Design and Develop Drugs

Hydrogen sulfide (H2) is a gaseous molecule that is produced by the body. Elevated levels of H2 can result in a number of physiological responses. The specific mechanisms in which H2 directly facilitates these responses have not yet been well characterized, however, it has recently been established that sulfhydration of proteins is integral to the effects of H2. A growing field of research is the development of new drugs which suppress endogenous hydrogen sulfide synthesis, as well as novel H2 donors. Evidence suggests that modulation of the H2 signaling system may be an excellent therapeutic approach for a range of clinical conditions including heart failure, inflammatory diseases, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. In this review, we describe an overview of the physiological and pathophysiological roles of H2. We further discuss the current research of H2 modulating drugs and suggest potential approaches for the continued development of novel drugs.