Hydrogen sulfide: Recent progress and perspectives for the treatment of dermatological diseases

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is now recognized as a vital endogenous gasotransmitter with a variety of biological functions in different systems. Recently, studies have increasingly focused on the role of H(2)S in the skin. AIM OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent progress and provides perspectives on H(2)S in the treatment of dermatological diseases. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Three H(2)S production enzymes, cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase (3-MST), are all present in the skin, and it is likely that different cell types in the skin express them differently. Previous studies have demonstrated that H(2)S protects against several dermatological diseases, such as burns, diabetic skin wounds, psoriasis, skin flap transplantation, systemic sclerosis, melanoma, and pruritus. The mechanism might be related to the regulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and allergic reactions. H(2)S-based therapeutics require certain characteristics for topical delivery, for example, controlled release, appropriate physicochemical properties, good storage stability, acceptable odor, and advanced delivery systems. H(2)S-induced S-sulfhydration on proteins are potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention and drug design for the skin, which may lead to the development and application of H(2)S-related drugs for dermatological diseases.