Research topic: Gaseous signaling molecules as potential therapeutic agents

Guest editor: Dr. Zhangjian Huang is now a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at CPU. His research interests mainly focus on the discovery of novel gaseous signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO)-based agents for the intervention of cardiovascular diseases. He has published about 50 SCI papers, including 13 in J Med Chem, a top journal in the field of medicinal chemistry. He has applied 20 Chinese patents and 7 PCT patent, and obtained 12 authorized patents.

Title: Nitric oxide donating anti-glaucoma drugs: advances and prospects

[Abstract] Glaucoma is a disease that causes irreversible blindness. Reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) is the main treatment at present. Nitric oxide (NO), an endogenous gas signaling molecule, can increase aqueous humor outflow facility, inhibit aqueous humor production thereby reducing IOP, as well as regulate eye blood flow and protect the optic nerve. Therefore, NO donating anti-glaucoma drugs have broad research prospects. In this review, we summarize NO-mediated therapy for glaucoma, and the state of the art of some NO donating molecules, including latanoprostene bunod in market and some other candidate compounds, for the intervention of glaucoma, as well as prospects and challenges ahead in this field.

Cite this article as: MAO Yu-Jie, WU Jian-Bing, YANG Ze-Qiu, ZHANG Yi-Hua, HUANG Zhang-Jian. Nitric oxide donating anti-glaucoma drugs: advances and prospects [J]. Chin J Nat Med, 2020, 18(4): 275-283.

Title: CO as a therapeutic agent: discovery and delivery forms

[Abstract] Carbon monoxide (CO) as one of the three important endogenously produced signaling molecules, termed as "gaso-transmitter," has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent for treating various inflammation and cellular-stress related diseases. In this review, we discussed CO's evolution from a well-recognized toxic gas to a signaling molecule, and the effort to develop different approaches to deliver it for therapeutic application. We also summarize recently reported chemistry towards different CO delivery forms.

Cite this article as: YANG Xiao-Xiao, KE Bo-Wen, LU Wen, WANG Bing-He. CO as a therapeutic agent: discovery and delivery forms [J]. Chin J Nat Med, 2020, 18(4): 284-295.

Title: Prodrugs of hydrogen sulfide and related sulfur species: recent development

[Abstract] Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is commonly referred to as the third gasotransmitter with firmly established physiological roles. Prodrug approaches have been broadly applied to deliver H 2 S for various applications and mechanistic studies. Since S-persulfidation and glutathionylation are known to be important in cellular signaling by sulfur species, there have been interests in developing donors of persulfide and glutathione persulfide as well. In this review, we discuss the recent development in area of prodrugs for various sulfur species.

Cite this article as: YUAN Zheng-Nan, ZHENG Yue-Qin, WANG Bing-He. Prodrugs of hydrogen sulfide and related sulfurspecies: recent development [J]. Chin J Nat Med, 2020, 18(4): 296-307.