Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is an endogenous signaling molecule that greatly influences several important (patho)physiological processes related to cardiovascular health and disease, including vasodilation, angiogenesis, inflammation, and cellular redox homeostasis. Consequently, H(2)S supplementation is an emerging area of interest, especially for the treatment of cardiovascular-related diseases. To fully unlock the medicinal properties of hydrogen sulfide, however, the development and refinement of H(2)S releasing compounds (or donors) are required to augment its bioavailability and to better mimic its natural enzymatic production. Categorizing donors by the biological stimulus that triggers their H(2)S release, this review highlights the fundamental chemistry and releasing mechanisms of a range of H(2)S donors that have exhibited promising protective effects in models of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury and cancer chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, specifically. Thus, in addition to serving as important investigative tools that further advance our knowledge and understanding of H(2)S chemical biology, the compounds highlighted in this review have the potential to serve as vital therapeutic agents for the treatment (or prevention) of various cardiomyopathies.