Zinc (DB01593): A Comprehensive Monograph on its Physicochemical Properties, Physiological Significance, and Clinical Pharmacology

Introduction: Zinc as an Essential Element and Therapeutic Agent

Executive Summary

Zinc, a metallic element identified by the symbol Zn, occupies a unique and indispensable position in biology and medicine.[1] It is recognized both as an essential trace element, fundamental to a vast array of physiological processes, and as a small molecule therapeutic agent (DrugBank ID: DB01593) used for the treatment and prevention of specific clinical conditions.[1] As the second most abundant trace metal in the human body after iron, zinc is integral to the structure and function of every cell, participating in catalytic, structural, and regulatory roles that underpin life itself.[2] Its involvement spans from gene expression and protein synthesis to immune defense and metabolic regulation.[4]

The central theme governing the biological and pharmacological effects of zinc is homeostasis. The human body employs a sophisticated network of transporters and binding proteins to maintain zinc concentrations within a narrow physiological range.[7] This delicate balance is critical, as deviations in either direction lead to distinct and significant pathologies. Zinc deficiency, a condition estimated to affect up to a third of the world's population, is associated with a spectrum of adverse outcomes, including growth retardation, impaired immune function, chronic diarrhea, and delayed wound healing.[1] Conversely, excessive zinc intake can lead to acute gastrointestinal distress and, more insidiously, chronic toxicity manifesting as copper deficiency with subsequent hematological and neurological complications.[9]