Availability, Toxicology and Medical Significance of Antimony

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.

Evaluation of the Geogenic-Effected Groundwater Antimony Pollution, in the Settlement Area, Utilizing the Water Quality Index and Health Risk Assessments: A Case Study from Kiraz Basin, İzmir, Turkiye

“…However, the most striking effect of antimony compounds is that they disrupt the heart rhythm and cause irreparable damage to the nervous system. The effect of antimony on cancer has not been observed in studies so far. , …”

“…Antimony, which enters the human body by any means (skin, respiratory, and oral), is specially collected in the lungs, stomach, and intestines . The acute or chronic effects of antimony are mainly stomach cramps, stomach pains, vomiting, skin rash, and wounds .…”

“…Antimony, which enters the human body by any means (skin, respiratory, and oral), is specially collected in the lungs, stomach, and intestines. 62 The acute or chronic effects of antimony are mainly stomach cramps, stomach pains, vomiting, skin rash, and wounds. 63 However, the most striking effect of antimony compounds is that they disrupt the heart rhythm and cause irreparable damage to the nervous system.…”

Kaempferol: Antimicrobial Properties, Sources, Clinical, and Traditional Applications

“…There exist over 20 species of the Leishmania parasite which can infect humans; leishmaniasis is a zoonosis and can be divided into visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous [ 391 ]. The traditional treatment for leishmaniasis is based on antimonials, against which there is, however, increasing resistance [ 392 ]; antimonials also have frequent and rather severe side effects [ 393 , 394 ].…”

Non-Antibiotic Antimony-Based Antimicrobials

“…In turn, antimony has been used since early Egyptian’s civilization [ 4 ]. For example, NaSbO 3 was commonly used as an emetic compound until the late 1700s [ 5 ]. The other successful application of Sb is the treatment of leishmaniosis, caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies in South and Central America, Bangladesh, southern Europe, and North Africa.…”