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Therapeutic application of hydrogen sulfide donors: the potential and challenges

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Abstract

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a colorless gas smelling of rotten egg, has long been considered a toxic gas and environment hazard. However, evidences show that H2S plays a great role in many physiological and pathological activities, and it exhibits different effects when applied at various doses. In this review, we summarize the chemistry and biomedical applications of H2S-releasing compounds, including inorganic salts, phosphorodithioate derivatives, derivatives of Allium sativum extracts, derivatives of thioaminoacids, and derivatives of antiinflammatory drugs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China

    Dan Wu, Qingxun Hu & Yizhun Zhu

  2. Department of Pharmacy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065, China

    Dan Wu

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  1. Dan Wu
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Correspondence to Yizhun Zhu.

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Wu, D., Hu, Q. & Zhu, Y. Therapeutic application of hydrogen sulfide donors: the potential and challenges. Front. Med. 10, 18–27 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-015-0427-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-015-0427-6

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