Copper in medicine: Perspectives and toxicity

Abstract

Copper is one of the most important microelements required by all kind of life forms including human beings for their proper growth, development, and survival. Copper plays an important role in various body functions and regulation of different pathways. Hence, it has been used since pre-Vedic time as potential medicine to cure a number of diseases. Although, copper has significant medicinal value, the maintenance of adequate copper levels in the body is of vital importance because the lack or excess amount of such essential trace elements are known to cause a variety of health problems. The failure in the regulation of copper metabolism is mainly responsible for deficiency and accumulation of copper in different parts of the body. Generally, deficiency of copper leads to several copper deficiency syndromes including Menkes' disease. Similarly, high level of copper due to accumulation results in many diseases like Wilson's diseases, Alzheimer's disease, etc. Considering the key role of copper in human health, the present chapter has been focused on such related aspects, which include uptake and metabolism of copper, and its dietary recommendations. In addition, various disorders caused due to deficiency and excess amount of copper are also discussed in detail.