Gaseous signaling molecules such as nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) have recently been recognized as essential signal mediators that regulate diverse physiological and pathological processes in the human body. With the evolution of gaseous signaling molecule biology, their therapeutic applications have attracted growing attention. One of the challenges in translational research of gaseous signaling molecules is the lack of efficient and safe delivery systems. To tackle this issue, researchers developed a library of gas donors, which are low molecular weight compounds that can release gaseous signaling molecules upon decomposition under physiological conditions. Despite the significant efforts to control gaseous signaling molecule release from gas donors, the therapeutic potential of gaseous signaling molecules cannot be fully explored due to their unfavorable pharmacokinetics and toxic side effects. Recently, the use of nanoparticle-based gas donors, especially self-assembled polymeric gas donors, have emerged as a promising approach. In this review, we describe the development of conventional small gas donors and the challenges in their therapeutic applications. We then illustrate the concepts and critical aspects for designing self-assembled polymeric gas donors and discuss the advantages of this approach in gasotransmistter delivery. We also highlight recent efforts to develop the delivery systems for those molecules based on self-assembled polymeric nanostructures.

中文翻译：

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用于气体信号分子传递的自组装聚合物纳米药物的最新进展

一氧化氮（NO）、一氧化碳（CO）和硫化氢（H ₂ S）等气体信号分子最近被认为是调节人体多种生理和病理过程的重要信号介质。随着气体信号分子生物学的发展，它们的治疗应用引起了越来越多的关注。气体信号分子转化研究的挑战之一是缺乏高效、安全的递送系统。为了解决这个问题，研究人员开发了一个气体供体库，它们是低分子量化合物，可以在生理条件下分解时释放气体信号分子。尽管在控制气体供体释放气体信号分子方面付出了巨大努力，但由于其不利的药代动力学和毒副作用，气体信号分子的治疗潜力无法得到充分开发。最近，使用基于纳米颗粒的气体供体，特别是自组装聚合物气体供体，已成为一种有前途的方法。在这篇综述中，我们描述了传统小型气体供体的发展及其治疗应用中的挑战。然后，我们阐述了设计自组装聚合物气体供体的概念和关键方面，并讨论了这种方法在气体传输器输送中的优势。我们还强调了最近为开发基于自组装聚合物纳米结构的分子的输送系统所做的努力。