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Availability, Toxicology and Medical Significance of Antimony

Author

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  • Argyrios Periferakis

    (Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
    Akadimia of Ancient Greek and Traditional Chinese Medicine, 16675 Athens, Greece
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ana Caruntu

    (Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
    Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Titu Maiorescu” University, 031593 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis

    (Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Andreea-Elena Scheau

    (Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Ioana Anca Badarau

    (Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Constantin Caruntu

    (Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
    Department of Dermatology, Prof. N.C. Paulescu National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, 011233 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Cristian Scheau

    (Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

Antimony has been known and used since ancient times, but its applications have increased significantly during the last two centuries. Aside from its few medical applications, it also has industrial applications, acting as a flame retardant and a catalyst. Geologically, native antimony is rare, and it is mostly found in sulfide ores. The main ore minerals of antimony are antimonite and jamesonite. The extensive mining and use of antimony have led to its introduction into the biosphere, where it can be hazardous, depending on its bioavailability and absorption. Detailed studies exist both from active and abandoned mining sites, and from urban settings, which document the environmental impact of antimony pollution and its impact on human physiology. Despite its evident and pronounced toxicity, it has also been used in some drugs, initially tartar emetics and subsequently antimonials. The latter are used to treat tropical diseases and their therapeutic potential for leishmaniasis means that they will not be soon phased out, despite the fact the antimonial resistance is beginning to be documented. The mechanisms by which antimony is introduced into human cells and subsequently excreted are still the subject of research; their elucidation will enable us to better understand antimony toxicity and, hopefully, to improve the nature and delivery method of antimonial drugs.

Suggested Citation

  • Argyrios Periferakis & Ana Caruntu & Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis & Andreea-Elena Scheau & Ioana Anca Badarau & Constantin Caruntu & Cristian Scheau, 2022. "Availability, Toxicology and Medical Significance of Antimony," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-29, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4669-:d:792528
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Ali Inam & Rizwan Khan & Du Ri Park & Sarfaraz Khan & Ahmed Uddin & Ick Tae Yeom, 2019. "Complexation of Antimony with Natural Organic Matter: Performance Evaluation during Coagulation-Flocculation Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Aurélie Pelfrêne & Mark R. Cave & Joanna Wragg & Francis Douay, 2017. "In Vitro Investigations of Human Bioaccessibility from Reference Materials Using Simulated Lung Fluids," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Zhihua Hu & Lois Wright Morton & Robert L. Mahler, 2011. "Bottled Water: United States Consumers and Their Perceptions of Water Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-14, February.
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