Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter able to exert a pivotal role in different organs and systems, strongly influencing cardiovascular health. It is an endowed antioxidant, a vasorelaxant, and has cardioprotective properties, thanks to the activation of different classes of potassium channels and the interaction with several pathways including those involving sirtuins, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and nitric oxide (NO) production. Alterations in the homeostasis of H2S represent an etiopathogenetic factor in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and vascular diabetic complications, highlighting the therapeutic potential of exogeneous H2S-donors in H2S-poor diseases. Several natural H2S-donor compounds, or their precursors, derive from plants belonging to the Alliaceae (e.g., garlic and onion), Brassicaceae (e.g., broccoli and rocket salad), or Moringaceae (e.g., moringa) families. Preclinical studies demonstrated the antioxidant, vasoprotective, and anti-hypertensive properties of both plant extracts and isolated polysulfides or isothiocyanates (ITCs). In fact, polysulfides and ITCs are able to exert vascular effects superimposable to those induced by H2S. Preclinical and clinical studies successfully demonstrated that garlic extracts decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure and contrast endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Similarly, preclinical studies highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and vasoprotective properties of ITCs. However, clinical studies only demonstrated the improvement of the lipid profile in healthy patients, with no effects on systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Taken together, these findings suggest that natural H2S-donors could restore H2S homeostasis, therefore preventing and/or contrasting cardiovascular diseases.

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Naturally Occurring H2S-Donors in Vascular Diseases

  • Lorenzo Flori,
  • Jacopo Spezzini,
  • Eugenia Piragine,
  • Valentina Citi,
  • Vincenzo Calderone,
  • Alma Martelli

摘要

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter able to exert a pivotal role in different organs and systems, strongly influencing cardiovascular health. It is an endowed antioxidant, a vasorelaxant, and has cardioprotective properties, thanks to the activation of different classes of potassium channels and the interaction with several pathways including those involving sirtuins, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and nitric oxide (NO) production. Alterations in the homeostasis of H2S represent an etiopathogenetic factor in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and vascular diabetic complications, highlighting the therapeutic potential of exogeneous H2S-donors in H2S-poor diseases. Several natural H2S-donor compounds, or their precursors, derive from plants belonging to the Alliaceae (e.g., garlic and onion), Brassicaceae (e.g., broccoli and rocket salad), or Moringaceae (e.g., moringa) families. Preclinical studies demonstrated the antioxidant, vasoprotective, and anti-hypertensive properties of both plant extracts and isolated polysulfides or isothiocyanates (ITCs). In fact, polysulfides and ITCs are able to exert vascular effects superimposable to those induced by H2S. Preclinical and clinical studies successfully demonstrated that garlic extracts decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure and contrast endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Similarly, preclinical studies highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and vasoprotective properties of ITCs. However, clinical studies only demonstrated the improvement of the lipid profile in healthy patients, with no effects on systolic or diastolic blood pressure. Taken together, these findings suggest that natural H2S-donors could restore H2S homeostasis, therefore preventing and/or contrasting cardiovascular diseases.