Vanadium in biological systems and medicinal applications

The present review covers the environmental availability of vanadium and vanadium's impact on the life sphere (geo-sphere, atmosphere, marine environments), as well as its potentiality in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and bacterial infections. In particular, the following topics are addressed: (1) vanadium in marine environments (halide oxidation by haloperoxidases in the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum and by marine bacteria associated with macroalgae; accumulation and redox transformation of vanadium by ascidians and fan worms); (2) the role of vanadium in nitrogen fixation by diazotrophs in the root nodules of legumes, and in liverworts and hornwarts; (3) amavadin in the fly agaric mushroom; (4) vanadium speciation by unicellular organisms (bacteria, protozoa) and adjunctive medicinal applications; (5) the potentiality of vanadium (coordination compounds) in the treatment of diseases such as cancer and diabetes, and bacterial infections.

Automated summary

This review focuses on the environmental availability of vanadium, its impact on the various spheres of life (geo-sphere, atmosphere, marine environments), and its potential in treating diseases like cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections. It discusses vanadium in marine environments, its role in nitrogen fixation, vanadium in the fly agaric mushroom, vanadium speciation in unicellular organisms, and the potential benefits of vanadium compounds in disease treatment.