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

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 (H 2 S) 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 H 2 S had higher fatality rates. These findings clearly demonstrate an inverse correlation between H 2 S levels and the severity of COVID-19. H 2 S has been proposed as a protective molecule because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. Various H 2 S-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 H 2 S-based interventions for the management of COVID-19 and post-infection inflammatory disorders including neuroinflammation. I am also proposing therepurposing of existing H 2 S-releasing prodrugs, developing new NO-H 2 S-hybrids, targeting H 2 S metabolic pathways, and using H 2 S-producing dietary supplements as viable defensive strategies against SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pathologies. • COVID patients had lower H 2 S bioavailability than healthy controls. • COVID survivors had higher H 2 S levels as compared to non-survivors. • H 2 S-based interventions may be relevant therapies for the management of COVID and inflammatory disorders. • Further investigation on efficacy, treatment time, dosage and delivery methods of H 2 S-releasing drugs is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]