Availability, Toxicology and Medical Significance of Antimony

Argyrios Periferakis, Ana Caruntu, Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis, Andreea-Elena Scheau, Ioana Anca Badarau, Constantin Caruntu and Cristian Scheau
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Argyrios Periferakis: Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Ana Caruntu: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The “Carol Davila” Central Military Emergency Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
Aristodemos-Theodoros Periferakis: Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
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
Cristian Scheau: Department of Physiology, The “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-29

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.

Keywords: antimony; stibnite; toxicity; exposure; health impact; pathophysiology; resistance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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