H2S Donors in creation of innovative drugs

Fundamental studies have identified a new group of gaseous signaling molecules – the so-called gasotransmitters – NO, CO, and H2S, which are involved in the regulation of a large number of metabolic processes. The results of these studies allowed determining a new direction in medicinal/pharmaceutical chemistry – creation of hydrogen sulfide donor compounds as potential drugs. The article presents the main achievements in the search for new H2S donors: the main stages of H2S metabolism and its biological effects; the classes of compounds that can release hydrogen sulfide based on the nature of sulfur-containing functional groups as well as the mechanism of H2S releasing. Additionally, the characteristic of the most successful direction – creation of the so-called hybrid molecules is given. The latter are compounds bearing fragments of the well known drugs covalently bounded with groups being capable to release H2S.