Hydrogen sulfide: From a toxic gas to a potential therapy for COVID-19 and inflammatory disorders

Abstract

COVID-19 has been shown to induce inflammatory disorders and CNS manifestations. Swift and efficient treatment strategies are urgently warranted for the management of COVID, inflammatory and neurological disorders. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) has been associated with several clinical disorders due to its potential to influence a broad range of biological signalling pathways. According to recent clinical studies, COVID patients with lower physiological H₂S had higher fatality rates. These findings clearly demonstrate an inverse correlation between H₂S levels and the severity of COVID-19. H₂S has been proposed as a protective molecule because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Various H₂S-releasing prodrugs, hybrids and natural compounds have been tested for their therapeutic efficacy in viral infections and inflammatory disorders. In this review, I am highlighting the rationale for using H₂S-based interventions for the management of COVID-19 and post-infection inflammatory disorders including neuroinflammation. I am also proposing therepurposing of existing H₂S-releasing prodrugs, developing new NO-H₂S-hybrids, targeting H₂S metabolic pathways, and using H₂S-producing dietary supplements as viable defensive strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pathologies.