Boron as a Context-Dependent System-Level Modulator: Mechanisms and Implications in Chronic Diseases

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Human Physiology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Boron is a biologically active trace element crucial for plant life.
• Emerging evidence suggests boron's significant role in modulating human physiological processes.
• Its chemical properties enable interactions with key biomolecules, influencing various biological pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review the evidence on boron's impact on human health.
• To explore boron's role in mineral metabolism, endocrine function, redox balance, immunity, neurological function, cardiometabolic health, and bone health.
• To examine the therapeutic potential of boron-containing compounds in medicine.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of experimental and clinical studies.
• Evaluation of boron's chemical properties and interactions with biomolecules.
• Analysis of boron's effects on specific physiological pathways and health outcomes.

Main Results:

• Boron intake may influence bone mineralization, vitamin D metabolism, endocrine biomarkers, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory homeostasis.
• Boron-containing compounds are utilized in oncology, dermatology, infectious diseases, and boron neutron capture therapy.
• Evidence for boron's strict essentiality in humans is limited, with no indispensable boron-dependent pathway identified.

Conclusions:

• Boron's biological effects are broad, but its essentiality in humans remains conditional and context-dependent.
• Further high-quality clinical studies are required to establish boron's role and optimize its therapeutic use.
• Boron is a promising trace element at the nexus of nutrition, immunometabolism, host-microbiome interactions, and drug design.