The modern role of boron as a 'magic element' in biomedical science: Chemistry perspective

The boron was misconstrued as a toxic element for animals, which retarded the growth of boron-containing drug discovery in the last century. Nevertheless, modern applications of boronic acid derivatives are entrancing in biomedical applications later than the declaration that boron is a 'probable essential element' for humans by WHO. Additionally, the approval of five boronic acid-containing drugs by the FDA has vastly impacted the use of boron in medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, drug delivery, biomaterial exploration, pharmacological improvements, and nutrition. This review article focuses on the chemistries attributed to boronic acids at physiological pH, enticing chemists to multidisciplinary applications. Perceptive uses of boronic acid in pharma, chemical biology, along with their prospects and challenges, are also part of the deliberation. Understanding these fundamental chemistries and interactions of boronic acid in biological systems will enable solving future challenges in drug discovery and executing space-age applications.