Therapeutic potential of selenium and tellurium compounds: opportunities yet unrealised.

Therapeutic potential of selenium and tellurium compounds: opportunities yet unrealised.

Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003) (2012-01-19)

Edward R T Tiekink

ABSTRACT

Despite being disparaged for their malodorous and toxic demeanour, compounds of selenium, a bio-essential element, and tellurium, offer possibilities as therapeutic agents. Herein, their potential use as drugs, for example, as anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory agents, etc., will be surveyed along with a summary of the established biological functions of selenium. The natural biological functions of tellurium remain to be discovered.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

263303

Sigma-Aldrich

Tellurium, granular, −5-+50 mesh, 99.99% trace metals basis

452378

Sigma-Aldrich

Tellurium, shot, ≤2 mm, 99.999% trace metals basis

204544

Sigma-Aldrich

Tellurium, pieces, 99.999% trace metals basis

266418

Sigma-Aldrich

Tellurium, powder, −200 mesh, 99.8% trace metals basis

264865

Sigma-Aldrich

Tellurium, powder, −30 mesh, 99.997% trace metals basis