Therapeutic potential of new hydrogen sulfide-releasing hybrids

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.