title: H2S-releasing drugs: anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and chemopreventative potential.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide exerts a number of cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in many organ systems. In an effort to exploit these potent and beneficial effects, a number of hydrogen sulfide-releasing derivatives of existing drugs have been developed and extensively tested in pre-clinical models. In particular, efforts have been made by several groups to develop hydrogen sulfide-releasing derivatives of a number of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The main goal of this approach is to reduce the gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding caused by this class of drugs, particularly when used chronically such as in the treatment of arthritis. However, these drugs may also have utility for prevention of various types of cancer. This paper provides an overview of some of the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective actions of hydrogen sulfide. It also gives some examples of hydrogen sulfide-releasing anti-inflammatory drugs, and their actions in terms of reducing inflammation and attenuating the development of cancer in experimental models.
authors.affiliation: Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Burcu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gemici
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Wagdi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Elsheikh
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karla B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Feitosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Soraia K P
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Muscara
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: altapharm@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055808:Drug Discovery; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020011:Protective Agents; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Cytoprotection; Drug development; Gastrointestinal; Hydrogen sulfide; Inflammation