Introduction

          Medical practices have significantly evolved over time. With the rise of technology and more advanced techniques, new methods of treating diseases and maintaining good health have been introduced. In order to develop these new methods, certain important elements had been utilized. In particular, inorganic compounds of various elements have been useful for medical purposes since the ancient times. In fact, some of these compounds had been used by ancestors to create alternative medications.

          Inorganic chemistry is the main study that deals with all elements and compounds with the exception of carbon. The element carbon and its compounds on the other hand are under the study of organic chemistry. Within the field of inorganic chemistry, the characteristics of inorganic substances, including the nonliving matters and minerals found within the surface of the earth, are investigated (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2004). Now that medicine had gone through numerous advancements, inorganic compounds are also being studied for their medical uses. Hence, in this discussion, various inorganic compounds that have been recognized as beneficial and useful in the medical field, will be identified and described.

Mercury

          Inorganic mercury perhaps is one of the most common compounds related to medical use. The element mercury exists naturally in the environment in three major forms. These include the metallic, inorganic and organic mercury. As the focus of this discussion is on inorganic elements and compounds, inorganic mercury will be highlighted. This compound is actually formed when the element is combined with oxygen, sulfur and chlorine. This form of mercury compound is also commonly called as mercury salts. This compound typically comes in the form of crystals or white powders. However, cinnabar or mercuric sulfide is also an inorganic form of mercury that is different from others as it is color red and changes to black when exposed to light (About, 2005). A number of inorganic mercury compounds had been used for medical purposes. For instance, this has been used as fungicides. Produced mainly by bacteria and fungi, methylmercury had been used as protection from fungal infections. However, when the adverse effects of using methylmercury and ethylmercury compounds had been confirmed, the use of these compounds as fungicides was banned. From then on until 1991, phenylmercuric compounds were used for this purpose. Nonetheless, this compound was also banned as an antifungal agent as it was discovered that vapors are released from this compound, which is also harmful to human health (About, 2005). Mercuric iodide and ammoniated mercuric chloride are some examples of inorganic mercury salts that have been used for creams and soaps to lighten the skin. Inorganic mercury had been useful these products due to its cation’s ability to block the melanin pigment production in the skin. Disinfectant agent or topical antiseptic is also one of the many medicinal products that use inorganic mercury, specifically mercuric chloride. During the early times, mercurous oxide is also used for producing teething powders, worming medications as well as laxatives (About, 2005). According to Davis and associates (1974), while inorganic mercurials have been used for laxatives, most industrialized nations have decided to abandon its use due to its known toxicity. Moreover, more effective and safer alternatives had been introduced. Antibacterial medicines also include inorganic mercury. This form of mercury is used for these medications primarily because of its preservative action for certain medications and over the counter drugs. Examples of these medical products are thimerosal, phenylmercuric nitrate and mercurochrome that has about 2% of mercury (About, 2005).

          Other inorganic mercuric compounds such as mercurous acetate, mercuric chloride, mercuric iodide, mercuric oxide have been used for creating bactericidal, diuretic, antiseptic, cathartic and fungicidal purposes in various regions like North America, Europe and Australia. Nevertheless, the use of inorganic compounds of mercury had been put to a stop due to the increased reports on its toxicity (Kang-Yum & Oransky, 1992; Dyall-Smith & Scurry, 1990). In 1997, researchers Al-Saleh and Al-Doush had conducted a study by examining thirty-eight different lightening creams for the skin and concluded that 45% of these products have levels of mercury which are beyond the allowed levels set by the US Food and Drug Administration at 1 mg/kg. In fact, two of the analyzed products have concentrations of mercury that is more than 900 mg/kg.

          In a less scientific field, a few sources had documented the use of inorganic mercury for ethic practices, religious beliefs, magical and herbal remedies. In Chinese, Hispanic and Indian culture, mercury is one of the common elements used for medicinal purposes, herbal preparations and other religious remedies (Kew et al, 1993). In one study, focused was given on the analysis of twelve types of herbal ball preparations that are commercially produced and used for traditional Chinese medicine. Results showed that about 7.8 up to 621.3 milligrams of mercury were found for every herbal ball. As the minimum recommended dosage for an adult is two balls daily, intake levels of up to 1.2 grams of mercury may be an everyday dosage (Espinoza et al, 1996).

          In some religions, elemental mercury has been used for different practices and rituals. These religions include Voodoo, Santeria, Espiritismo and Palo Mayombe. Though not every believer of these religions use mercury, the exposure to the element can occur as it is used for folk, religious or ritual practices. This form of element, typically sold as azogue, is highly accessible to stores in North America called botanicas. These stores are usually found in communities of Haitian and Hispanic communities. The azogue is usually sold in glass containers or capsules. There are several ways on how this medicine is used. However, considering the known harmful effects of mercury, exposure to this element during ritual practices may put resident to health risks.

          In addition to medical purposes, inorganic mercury has also been useful for therapeutic purposes. Different mercury salts for example, are used for cutaneous application that is used for treating an infected impetigo or eczema. Calomel is also used for curing syphilis, whereas ammoniated mercury or mercuric oxide is used for treating psoriasis. Moreover, these compounds are also used for ointments.

          According to Mahaffey (1999), the health care and the hospital industry are among the largest users of the element mercury. This is then followed by the medical waste incinerators. While mercury and its inorganic form had been used for pharmaceutical uses, mercury has been useful for important medical apparatuses including thermometers, blood pressure monitors, laboratory chemical, esophageal dilators and feeding tubes.

Copper

          Copper is yet another element whose inorganic complexes have been used for medical reasons. Copper tryptophanate and copper aspirintae for example, are two inorganic complexes of copper that have been useful for increasing the healing rate of wounds and ulcers. Compared to other treating agents, copper complexes have the ability to heal gastric ulcers five days earlier. In addition, while NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like enefenamic acid and ibuprofen have the effect of suppressing wound healing, copper complexes enable normal wound healing while retaining anti-inflammatory activity. Among other organs in the body, the human brain contains the most amount of copper. This then implies the significant role of the element in the normal functioning of the brain. Reports had shown this significant role as humans and animals deprived of copper in the diet suffer incidences of seizures. Eventually, it was discovered that the anti-convulsant effect of drugs is not attributable to its organic compounds but on its reaction causing the formation of copper complexes. Moreover, it was also found out that anti-epileptic medications and their copper complexes are far less toxic and more effective than other drugs. A number of preparations using inorganic copper were found to be efficient in curing various ailments such as tubercular infections, impetigo, anemias, lupus, syphilis, scorphulosis, chronic adenitis, eczema, facial neuralgia and chorea. In the ancient times, inorganic compounds of copper have also been recognized for their anti-fungal and anti-bacterial activity.

Arsenic

          Though arsenic has been known as a toxic element, various literature had shown its medical significance. For instance during the early part of the twentieth century, arsenious acid, an inorganic solution of arsenious trioxide, was injected into a mice sample that was infected with parasitic protozoans, specifically trypanosomiasis. Both the protozoa and the mice sample were killed as the compound was injected. However, it had been noted that the mice had died cured of the disease, implying the potential of arsenic compounds for chemotherapy (Albert, 1968). Rosenthal (2000) has stated that in spite of arsenic’s poisonous nature, the crude preparation of the element has been part of the Chinese practitioners’ traditional remedy. Later, this preparation has been purified and developed by the Harbin Medical University, which later has been useful in treating acute promyeloctic leukemia (APL). In 1997, this product has been manufactured under the name Trisenox with arsenic trioxide as its main component. This drug was granted an FDA approval in September 2001 (Cohen et al., 2001).

Conclusion

          The use and significance of inorganic compounds had been invaluable to the medical field. With these compounds, drugs and apparatuses have been available for human benefit. Mercury for instance has been useful for treating various illnesses as well as a major component of some medical instruments. Copper on the other hand has been beneficial in treating ulcers, cancers and nervous disorders. Though known to be poisonous, early and current medical sources had identified inorganic arsenic compounds to be useful for medical purposes as well. While some inorganic drugs had been known to be toxic and harmful to health, the ability to develop alternatives has been promoted and enhanced. Hence, the role of inorganic compounds such as mercury, copper and arsenic in the health industry will in no doubt be developed in the years to come.

References:

“Inorganic Chemistry”. (2004). The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th Edition. New York: Columbia University           Press.

About (2005). What is Mercury? Available at: allergies.about.com

Albert, A. (1968). Selective Toxicity. 4th ed. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd.

Cohen, M. H. et al. (2001). Drug Approval Summaries: Arsenic Trioxide, Tamoxifen Citrate,           Anastrazole, Paclitaxel, Bexarotene. Oncologist, 6(1), 4–11.

Davis, L. E. et al. (1974). Central nervous intoxication from mercurous chloride laxatives-quantitative,           histochemical and ultrastructure studies. Arch. Neurol. 30, 428-431.

Dresher, W. (2000, June). Copper Applications in Health & Environment. Innovations. Available at:           http://www.copper.org

Dyall-Smith, DJ. and Scurry, J. P. (1990). Mercury pigmentation and high mercury levels from the use           of a cosmetic cream. Med J Aust, 153(7), 409-410.

Espinoza, E. O., et al. (1995). Arsenic and mercury in traditional Chinese herbal balls. The New           England Journal of Medicine, 333(12), 803-04.

Kang-Yum E and Oransky SH. 1992 Chinese Patent Medicine As a Potential Source of Poisoning. Vet           Hum Toxicol, 34(3), 235-238.

Kew, J., et al. (1993). Arsenic and mercury intoxication due to Indian ethnic remedies. Br Med J, 306,           506-507.

Mahaffey, K. (1999). Methylmercury: A new look at the risks. Public Health Reports, 114(5), 396.

Rosenthal, E. (2000, May 6). Chairman Mao’s Cure for Cancer. The New York Times Magazine, 70–73.