TIN IN PHARMACY AND NUTRITION

The occurrence of tin in plants, animals and humans is discussed in relation to its abundance in the lithosphere and hydrosphere and the range of different tin(II) and tin(IV) complexes formed. A reasoned consideration of the essentiality or otherwise of tin for living species is given and it is concluded that tin is beneficial even if not yet proved to be an essential element. After reference to the chemistry of tin compounds, there is a detailed discussion of their toxicity in animals and humans. Feasible routes for tin intake and uptake into humans are described. The use of tin pharmaceuticals in previous and current times is reviewed and areas for which they are currently permitted for use in man as dentifrices and mouth washes, as radiopharmaceuticals and for the treatment of jaundiced newborns are described. A detailed review of tin-coating anti-tumour agents as representative tin pharmaceuticals is given. Finally, a range of tin compounds having other specific pharmaceutical applications and which are currently being investigated are listed.