A novel peptide based system has been developed that exhibits slow and sustained H2S release thereby reducing hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and increasing dopamine levels in a transgenic C. elegans model.

A tryptophan-based peptide conjugate with a NO-release arm was designed, which self-assembles in solution to afford soft spherical structures. This conjugate releases NO in a controlled fashion in Neuro2a cell line, resulting in neurite outgrowth.

Nitric oxide is a gaseous messenger involved in neuronal differentiation, development and synaptogenesis, in addition to many other physiological functions. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain an optimal nitric oxide concentration to ensure its biochemical function. A sustained nitric oxide releasing scaffold, which supports neuronal cell differentiation, as determined by morphometric analysis of neurite outgrowth, is described. Moreover, the effect of nitric oxide on the neuroblastoma cell line was also confirmed by immunofluorescent analysis of neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), specific neuronal marker and neurofilament (NF) protein, which revealed a significant increase in their expression levels, in comparison with undifferentiated cells.