Borates in Biomedicine: A Retrospective Analysis.

An important micronutrient exerting multiple health benefits, boron is a trace element with high potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, allergic diseases, and cancer. Biochemistry and biomedical studies restarted in the early 1990s first unveiled antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, nootropic, anticancer, and antigenotoxic properties of borates including borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate), boric acid and boron esters at low dosage, and then clearly established hormetic response of these compounds. New clinical studies conducted in the last 5 years (2020-2025) identified new potential use of borates in biomedicine and nutraceuticals, ranging from dietary supplement for bone, joint, and hormone health through new treatments for diabetic foot ulcer. The study offers a critical retrospective analysis of borates in biomedicine starting from Lister's discovery of boric acid powerful antiseptic properties in 1875. The analysis teaches an important lesson to researchers working at identifying novel therapeutic agents and to research policy managers.