IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO EFFECTS OF BORON AND BORONATED COMPOUNDS

Baron is ubiquitously present in soils and water. Associated with pect in it is essential for vascular plants as a component of cell walls. a nd it stabilises cell membranes. It is required for the growth of poll en tubes and is involved in membrane transport, stimulating H+-pumping ATPase activity and K+ uptake. However, a high boron concentration in the soils is toxic to plants and some boronated derivatives are used as herbicides. An absolute requirement for boron has not been definiti vely demonstrated in animals and humans. However, experiments with bar on supplementation or deprivation show that boron is involved in calci um and bone metabolism, and its effects are more marked when other nut rients (cholecalciferol ol. magnesium) are deficient. Boron supplement ation increases the serum concentration of 17 beta-estradiol and testo sterone but baron excess has toxic effects on reproductive function. B oron may be involved in cerebral function via its effects on the trans port across membranes. It affects the synthesis of the extracellular m atrix and is beneficial in wound healing. Usual dietary baron consumpt ion in humans is 1-2 mg/day for adults. As baron has been shown to hav e biological activity, research into the chemistry of boronated compou ds has increased. Boronated compounds have been shown to be potent ant i-osteoporotic, anti-inflammatory. hypolipemic, anti-coagulant and ant i-neoplasic agents both bl vitro and in vivo in animals.