Naturally Occurring H2S-Donors in Vascular Diseases

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an endogenous gasotransmitter able to exert a pivrole in different organs and systems, strongly influencing cardiovascular healthis an endowed antioxidant, a vasorelaxant, and has cardioprotective propertthanks to the activation of different classes of potassium channels and interaction with several pathways including those involving sirtuins, nuclfactor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), nitric oxide (NO) production. Alterations in the homeostasis 2Sof representH an etiopathogenetic factor in the onset and progression of cardiovascular diseasuch as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and vascular diabetic complicationhighlighting the therapeutic potential of exogeneous2S-donorsH in H2S-poor diseases. Several natural2HS-donor compounds, or their precursors, derive froplants belonging to the Alliaceae (e.g., garlic and onion), Brassicaceae (broccoli and rocket salad), or Moringaceae (e.g., moringa) families. Preclinstudies demonstrated the antioxidant, vasoprotective, and anti-hypertensivproperties of both plant extracts and isolated polysulfides or isothiocyana(ITCs). In fact, polysulfides and ITCs are able to exert vascular effects supposable to those induced by2S.H Preclinical and clinical studies successfulldemonstrated that garlic extracts decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressand contrast endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Similarly, preclinicstudies highlighted the anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and vasoprotectivproperties of ITCs. However, clinical studies only demonstrated the improvemof the lipid profile in healthy patients, with no effects on systolic or diablood pressure. Taken together, these findings suggest that natural2S-donorsH could restore H2S homeostasis, therefore preventing and/or contrasting cardiovascular diseases.