Boron Metabolism and Health Implications

Boron plays a pivotal role as an essential trace element in plant biology and human health. In mammals, boron is absorbed primarily as boric acid and circulates in plasma before renal excretion, with a half-life of approximately one day. Adequate intake supports bone mineralisation, influences steroid hormone metabolism and modulates inflammatory and antioxidant responses. Deficiency has been linked to impaired bone density, altered vitamin D function and increased inflammatory markers, while chronic high doses can lead to reproductive and developmental toxicity. At the cellular level, boron interacts with key enzymes and signalling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein kinases and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, conferring potential cytostatic and cytoprotective effects. Dietary sources such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, alongside drinking water, determine systemic boron levels, and emerging research explores organic boron compounds as dietary supplements or prodrug candidates with novel therapeutic applications. These findings underscore global public health considerations for establishing dietary recommendations and leveraging boron’s biochemical properties in clinical settings.

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Boron Metabolism and Health Implications publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in boron metabolism and health implications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Boric acid: The primary form of boron absorbed and transported in mammalian plasma.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can induce oxidative stress.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway: A signalling cascade that regulates cell growth, apoptosis and inflammatory responses.

Cytostatic: Describing agents that inhibit cell division without necessarily inducing cell death.

Hepatotoxicity: The property of causing chemical-driven liver damage.

References

1. Redox Mechanisms Underlying the Cytostatic Effects of Boric Acid on Cancer Cells—An Issue Still Open. Antioxidants (2023).
2. Protective role of boron on hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by trichloroacetic acid. Environmental Sciences Europe (2023).
3. Organoboronic acids/esters as effective drug and prodrug candidates in cancer treatments: challenge and hope. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry (2023).
4. An introduction to boron: history, sources, uses, and chemistry.. Environmental Health Perspectives (1994).
5. The biochemical effects of physiologic amounts of dietary boron in animal nutrition models.. Environmental Health Perspectives (1994).
6. Activation of the EIF2α/ATF4 and ATF6 Pathways in DU-145 Cells by Boric Acid at the Concentration Reported in Men at the US Mean Boron Intake. Biological Trace Element Research (2016).
7. Chemical disposition of boron in animals and humans.. Environmental Health Perspectives (1994).
8. Effects of boron compounds on human reproduction. Archives of Toxicology (2020).