title: Ruthenium-based nitric oxide-donating and carbon monoxide-donating molecules.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Over the past few years, the use of metallocomplexes for medical purposes has considerably grown. Because of its favourable characteristics, ruthenium has taken a significant place in this expanding field of research. Several ruthenium-containing metal compounds have been developed as delivery agents of physiological important molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO).
  
  
  RESULTS
  This review focuses on the (vaso)relaxant capacity of ruthenium-based NO-donating and CO-donating molecules in view of their potential usefulness in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ruthenium seems to be a valuable candidate for the design of NO-donating and CO-donating molecules. To date, ruthenium remains of interest in drug research as the search for new alternatives is still necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pauwels
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boydens
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanden Daele
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van de Voorde
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D056831:Coordination Complexes / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D056831:Coordination Complexes; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D012428:Ruthenium
keywords: carbon monoxide; cardiovascular; erectile dysfunction; nitric oxide; ruthenium