, H 2 S - Releasing Molecule

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now recognized as the so called “third gasotransmitter” taking its place alongside nitric oxide and carbon monoxide. In recent years, H2S has been reported to exhibit a diverse range of pharmacological effects in biological systems. Much of this evidence is derived from a combination of conventional pharmacological and genetic approaches coupled with the use of chemical compounds such as sodium hydrosulfide, a rapid H2S releasing donor. Developments in the design of new drug entities which attempt to take into account physicochemical properties, targeting to specific cellular organelles, triggering of H2S release upon specific chemical reactions in the cell, and controlling the release of H2S over extended periods of time have been described. For most of these molecules, little or no work has been conducted to determine their biological activity or possible therapeutic effects. It is therefore not clear whether such molecules have therapeutic potential which highlights the need for further in vivo studies. One exception to the general rule is GYY4137 (morpholin-4-ium Methods in Enzymology, Volume 554 # 2015 Elsevier Inc. ISSN 0076-6879 All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/bs.mie.2014.11.014 143 Author's personal copy