Zinc: an essential trace element for human health and beyond

Abstract

Zinc is an essential element that plays a crucial role in the chemistry and biochemistry of living organisms. It serves as a cofactor for numerous enzymes and transcription factors, contributing to DNA synthesis, protein synthesis and cellular metabolism. Additionally, zinc acts as a structural component of proteins and participates in cellular signaling pathways. The chemistry of zinc is determined by its electronic configuration, and it readily forms coordination complexes with various ligands. This review explores the diverse functions of zinc in the body, including its involvement in enzyme activity, immunity, neutrophil function, modulation of allergies, its relationship with COVID-19, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, mental health, pregnancy and wound healing. Zinc has a history of use in traditional medicine systems, and its benefits and applications should be evaluated in the context of current scientific research and medical guidelines. Understanding the roles of zinc in these processes highlights its importance as an essential nutrient for overall health and provides insights into potential therapeutic applications. However, further advancement in understanding the biological function of zinc requires addressing certain limitations. These include overcoming methodological challenges, investigating tissue and cell-type specificity, understanding zinc interactions and redundancy, and employing integrated approaches, advanced imaging techniques, comparative studies, and systems biology approaches to gain a deeper understanding of zinc’s implications in health and disease.