Recent study revealed that hydrogen sulphide, the gas responsible for the foul odour of rotten eggs, can help in developing new class of drugs to treat erectile dysfunction. Study showed that hydrogen sulphide released by nerve cells in the penis before intercourse, plays a role in creating an erection.

Researchers believe that new study can offer hope to the men suffering from this problems who don't respond to Viagra. Nearly one in every 10 men suffers from erectile dysfunction.

Professor Giuseppe Cirino of the University of Naples Federico II said: "We found that hydrogen sulphide is involved in human penile erection."

"The hydrogen sulphide pathway represents a new therapeutic target for erectile dysfunction and it should be possible in future to deliver drugs that either deliver hydrogen sulphide or that control the hydrogen sulphide production."

Researchers reached the findings after testing this theory on the erectile tissue from eight men who had undergone sex changes surgery and rats.