Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral

Zeolites are porous minerals with high absorbency and ion-exchange capacity. Their molecular structure is a dense network of AlO<sub>4</sub> and SiO<sub>4</sub> that generates cavities where water and other polar molecules or ions are inserted/exchanged. Even though there are...

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Main Authors: Andrea Mastinu, Amit Kumar, Giuseppina Maccarinelli, Sara Anna Bonini, Marika Premoli, Francesca Aria, Alessandra Gianoncelli, Maurizio Memo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/8/1517
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author Andrea Mastinu
Amit Kumar
Giuseppina Maccarinelli
Sara Anna Bonini
Marika Premoli
Francesca Aria
Alessandra Gianoncelli
Maurizio Memo
author_facet Andrea Mastinu
Amit Kumar
Giuseppina Maccarinelli
Sara Anna Bonini
Marika Premoli
Francesca Aria
Alessandra Gianoncelli
Maurizio Memo
author_sort Andrea Mastinu
collection DOAJ
description Zeolites are porous minerals with high absorbency and ion-exchange capacity. Their molecular structure is a dense network of AlO<sub>4</sub> and SiO<sub>4</sub> that generates cavities where water and other polar molecules or ions are inserted/exchanged. Even though there are several synthetic or natural occurring species of zeolites, the most widespread and studied is the naturally occurring zeolite clinoptilolite (ZC). ZC is an excellent detoxifying, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. As a result, it is been used in many industrial applications ranging from environmental remediation to oral applications/supplementation in vivo in humans as food supplements or medical devices. Moreover, the modification as micronization of ZC (M-ZC) or tribomechanically activated zeolite clinoptilolite (TMAZ) or furthermore as double tribomechanically activated zeolite clinoptilolite (PMA-ZC) allows improving its benefits in preclinical and clinical models. Despite its extensive use, many underlying action mechanisms of ZC in its natural or modified forms are still unclear, especially in humans. The main aim of this review is to shed light on the geochemical aspects and therapeutic potentials of ZC with a vision of endorsing further preclinical and clinical research on zeolites, in specific on the ZC and its modified forms as a potential agent for promoting human brain health and overall well-being.
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spelling doaj.art-2895a5de84ac4448a89c8970d6de53992022-12-21T23:35:53ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492019-04-01248151710.3390/molecules24081517molecules24081517Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient MineralAndrea Mastinu0Amit Kumar1Giuseppina Maccarinelli2Sara Anna Bonini3Marika Premoli4Francesca Aria5Alessandra Gianoncelli6Maurizio Memo7Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 14183 Huddinge, SwedenDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyDepartment of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Division of Pharmacology, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, ItalyZeolites are porous minerals with high absorbency and ion-exchange capacity. Their molecular structure is a dense network of AlO<sub>4</sub> and SiO<sub>4</sub> that generates cavities where water and other polar molecules or ions are inserted/exchanged. Even though there are several synthetic or natural occurring species of zeolites, the most widespread and studied is the naturally occurring zeolite clinoptilolite (ZC). ZC is an excellent detoxifying, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. As a result, it is been used in many industrial applications ranging from environmental remediation to oral applications/supplementation in vivo in humans as food supplements or medical devices. Moreover, the modification as micronization of ZC (M-ZC) or tribomechanically activated zeolite clinoptilolite (TMAZ) or furthermore as double tribomechanically activated zeolite clinoptilolite (PMA-ZC) allows improving its benefits in preclinical and clinical models. Despite its extensive use, many underlying action mechanisms of ZC in its natural or modified forms are still unclear, especially in humans. The main aim of this review is to shed light on the geochemical aspects and therapeutic potentials of ZC with a vision of endorsing further preclinical and clinical research on zeolites, in specific on the ZC and its modified forms as a potential agent for promoting human brain health and overall well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/8/1517zeolite clinoptilolitemicronizationtribomechanical activationdetoxifyingantioxidantanti-inflammatoryAlzheimer disease
spellingShingle Andrea Mastinu
Amit Kumar
Giuseppina Maccarinelli
Sara Anna Bonini
Marika Premoli
Francesca Aria
Alessandra Gianoncelli
Maurizio Memo
Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral
Molecules
zeolite clinoptilolite
micronization
tribomechanical activation
detoxifying
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
Alzheimer disease
title Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral
title_full Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral
title_fullStr Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral
title_full_unstemmed Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral
title_short Zeolite Clinoptilolite: Therapeutic Virtues of an Ancient Mineral
title_sort zeolite clinoptilolite therapeutic virtues of an ancient mineral
topic zeolite clinoptilolite
micronization
tribomechanical activation
detoxifying
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory
Alzheimer disease
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/8/1517
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