Gasotransmitters, also known as gaseous neurotransmitters, are vital signaling molecules that are naturally produced in mammalian bodies and are involved in various pathophysiological processes. These gaseous molecules possess unique characteristics, such as a small molecular weight, a shorter half-life, and the ability to cross cell membranes, including the blood-brain barrier, distinguishing them from other signaling molecules. Their endogenous production is precisely regulated by enzymatic processes, as these gaseous molecules can be toxic at high concentrations, and their optimal physiological concentrations are essential for the proper functioning of mammalian biology. Examples of gasotransmitters include hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitric oxide (NO), and carbon monoxide (CO). Initially, these gaseous molecules were considered toxic to human biology, but the identification of nitric oxide as the first gasotransmitter, and the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine for studying its biological importance, changed this perception [[1], [2], [3]]. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide were subsequently identified as the second and third endogenous gaseous signaling molecules, respectively [4]. These gaseous molecules have been extensively studied for their diverse biological functions in the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and other areas. Their potential therapeutic applications for neurological ailments have gained considerable attention in recent years [[5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10]]. In neurobiology, gasotransmitters play crucial roles in synaptic plasticity, neural communication, neural differentiation, neuromodulation, and neuroprotection. For example, neuronal cells produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO), which have been shown to have neuromodulatory effects and are involved in neuro-potentiation [9,11,12]. Carbon monoxide (CO), produced in response to stress and injury, has been shown to modulate synaptic transmission and have neuromodulatory effects [13]. Additionally, these gasotransmitters have been implicated in the regulation of cerebral blood flow and in protecting the brain against various forms of damage, such as oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, and neurotoxicity. Gasotransmitters also play important roles beyond disease treatment and can be utilized as reliable biomarkers for diagnosing various disease conditions [[14], [15], [16], [17]]. Additionally, deviations from typical physiological gasotransmitter concentrations can be effectively utilized to achieve accurate and targeted drug delivery for treating specific diseases, such as cancer [[18], [19], [20]]. Ongoing research is being conducted to better understand the synthesis and functions of gasotransmitters, with the goal of developing effective therapeutic approaches through controlled exogenous delivery [21]. This approach may prove to be particularly promising for the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease [22,23]. In this review, we will explore the strategies that allow the controlled release of gasotransmitters and their potential applications in the treatment of neurological disorders.
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