Table 1.

Summary of H₂S donors.

H2S donors	Structures	H2S release mechanism	Representative bioactivities	Key ref.
H2S (gas)	H2S	Authentic H2S resource	Hibernation induction Type II diabetes amelioration	67–70
Sulfide salts	NaHS & Na2S	Hydrolysis	Heart failure reduction Anti-inflammation	75–83
Garlic-derived sulfur compounds	R-S-Sn-S-R	Thiol activation	Vasodilation	86
Lawesson’s reagent		Hydrolysis	Anti-inflammation Ion channel regulation	97, 98
GYY4137		Hydrolysis	Vasodilation Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer	99, 105, 106
Phosphorodithioates		Hydrolysis	Prevention against oxidative damages	107
DTTs		Hydrolysis	Anti-inflammation Anti-cancer	114, 124–126, 129
N-(acylthio)-benzamides		Thiol activation	No biological effects were reported to date.	132
S-SH compounds		Thiol activation	MI/R protection	133
Dithioperoxyanhydrides		Thiol activation	Vasodilation	137
Arylthioamides		Thiol activation	Vasodilation	140
Gem-dithiol compounds		Light activation	No biological effects were reported to date.	141
Ketoprofenate-caged compound		Light activation	No biological effects were reported to date.	149
Thioamino acids		Bicarbonate activation	Vasodilation	150