ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Boron is considered a trace element that induces various effects in systems of the human body. However, each boron-containing compound exerts different effects. OBJECTIVE: To review the effects of 2-Aminoethyldiphenyl borinate (2-APB), an organoboron compound, on the human body, but also, its effects in animal models of human disease. METHODS: In this review, the information to showcase the expansion of these reported effects through interactions with several ion channels and other receptors has been reported. These effects are relevant in the biomedical and chemical fields due to the application of the reported data in developing therapeutic tools to modulate the functions of the immune, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. RESULTS: Accordingly, 2-APB acts as a modulator of adaptive and innate immunity, including the production of cytokines and the migration of leukocytes. Additionally, reports show that 2-APB exerts effects on neurons, smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, and it provides a cytoprotective effect by the modulation and attenuation of reactive oxygen species. CONCLUSION: The molecular pharmacology of 2-APB supports both its potential to act as a drug and the desirable inclusion of its moieties in new drug development. Research evaluating its efficacy in treating pain and specific maladies, such as immune, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and neurodegenerative disorders, is scarce but interesting.
