Chirality in

Biological Systems
Chelating agents:

Chelation therapy

Some ligands called chelating agents, can bond with a metal ion in two
or more places, forming stable complexes. Chelating agents are almost
organic molecules or anions. Some chelating agents are used for the
treatment of heavy metal poisoning in chelation therapy. A chelating
agent that has two coordinating atoms is called bidentate; one that has
three, tridentate; and so on.
Mainly atoms like S, N and O function as ligand atoms in the form of
chemical groups like –SH, –S-S, –NH2, =NH, –OH, – OPO3H, or >C=O.

bidentate ligand
Chelation therapy:
Has the intent of removal toxic metal ions from the organism (that
act as toxins) or of attenuating their toxicity by converting them in
less toxic compounds, or of transferring them from the

site where they exert their toxic action to a compartment where

this cannot be executed.
Characteristics of ideal chelator

1- High stability of the formed complexes

2- Selectivity toward the target metal ion.
3- Slow biochemical metabolism of the chelating agent.
4- Good intestinal absorbtion (as drug).
5- Easy excertion of toxic metal in the complexed form
by kidneys. 6- High water solubility.
6- High exchange rate of metal between natural ligands
and chelator
7-Ability to penrate cell memberance.
Uses of chelation therapy

Some examples of clinical scenarios where chelation therapy is

indicated include:
Poisoning with heavy metals including lead, mercury, and arsenic
Overdose of medications containing metal ions
Accumulation of large amounts of iron in the body due to
repeated blood transfusions (thalassemia) patients who require
frequent blood transfusions.
Accumulation of large amounts of copper in the body due to
Wilson's disease, a condition where the body is unable to
excrete copper normally.
Wilson's disease :Disorder in which copper accumulates in
tissues.

Thalassemia: The abnormal haemoglobin formed results in

improper oxygen transport and destruction of red blood cells.
Chelating agents and dentistry
Chelating agents were introduced in dentistry
for aid in preparation of narrow canals to
soften the canal dentin, increase dentin
permeability and remove smear layer
Decalcifying agents are acidic substances that
combine with lime (calcium-containing
inorganic mineral) in bone salts, teeth, chitin,
etc., forming water-soluble compounds that
easily can be removed.
 Citric acid as chelating agent
Citric acid structure

a: in acidic pH lost two hydrogen b: in basic pH

lost three hydrogen
 EDTA as chelating agent
EDTA is used for 1 minute at the end of instrumentation to remove the
smear layer so as to improve the antibacterial effect of locally used
disinfecting agents in deeper layer of dentin
Removal of the smear layer is accomplished with acids or other chelating
agents such as EDTA after cleaning and shaping, irrigation with 17% EDTA
for 1 minute followed by a final rinse with NaOCl is a recommended
method. Chelators remove the inorganic compenents and leave the
organic tissue elements intact. NaOCl is then necessary for removing of the
remaining organic components.
Dental erosion is a combination of the mineral being dissolved by attack
from the hydrogen ion and mineral dissolving by calcium being complexed
by anions, especially those with strong chelating action such as citric acid
and EDTA.
For research purposes, EDTA is a well known chelating agent that is used to
demineralize bone and teeth samples for histological evaluation, it can
demineralize at neutral pH because of the strength of the binding with
calcium ions