The Potential of Hydrogen Sulfide Donors in Treating Cardiovascular Diseases

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has long been considered as a toxic gas, but as research progressed, the idea has been updated and it has now been shown to have potent protective effects at reasonable concentrations. H₂S is an endogenous gas signaling molecule in mammals and is produced by specific enzymes in different cell types. An increasing number of studies indicate that H₂S plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis, and in most cases, H₂S has been reported to be downregulated in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Similarly, in preclinical studies, H₂S has been shown to prevent CVDs and improve heart function after heart failure. Recently, many H₂S donors have been synthesized and tested in cellular and animal models. Moreover, numerous molecular mechanisms have been proposed to demonstrate the effects of these donors. In this review, we will provide an update on the role of H₂S in cardiovascular activities and its involvement in pathological states, with a special focus on the roles of exogenous H₂S in cardiac protection.