Toward hydrogen sulfide based therapeutics: Critical drug delivery and developability issues

Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), together with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), belongs to the gasotransmitter family and plays important roles in mammals as a signaling molecule. Many studies have also shown the various therapeutic effects of H 2 S, which include protection against myocardial ischemia injury, cytoprotection against oxidative stress, mediation of neurotransmission, inhibition of insulin signaling, regulation of inflammation, inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible pathway, and dilation of blood vessels. One major challenge in the development of H 2 S-based therapeutics is its delivery. In this manuscript, we assess the various drug delivery strategies in the context of being used research tools and eventual developability as therapeutic agents. 2018.