Repositioning Candidate Details
Candidate ID: | R1341 |
Source ID: | DB11127 |
Source Type: | approved; investigational |
Compound Type: | small molecule |
Compound Name: | Selenious acid |
Synonyms: | Selenious acid; Selenous acid |
Molecular Formula: | H2O3Se |
SMILES: | O[Se](O)=O |
Structure: |
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DrugBank Description: | Selenious acid is the acid form of sodium selenite, a form of selenium . Selenium is an essential trace element and antioxidant. It is a cofactor metabolic enzyme regulation. It also plays an important role in maintaining the general health of tissue and muscle and has antioxidant properties. Selenium is a component of glutathione peroxidase enzyme, which protects cell components from oxidative damage due to peroxides produced during cellular metabolism . Selenium (Se) has been demonstrated to prevent cancer in numerous animal models when administered selenium at levels exceeding the nutritional requirements. One study showed efficacy in the prevention of malignancy while utilizing a selenium supplement in humans. The reports from such studies have heightened the interest in additional human selenium supplementation studies to validate the results in larger populations . Interestingly, selenium is being studied as a potential therapy in the prevention or management of atherosclerosis . |
CAS Number: | 7783-00-8 |
Molecular Weight: | 128.97 |
DrugBank Indication: | Selenium injection is indicated for use as a supplement to intravenous solutions given for total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Administration of selenious acid in TPN formulas helps to maintain plasma selenium levels and also to maintain endogenous stores to prevent deficiency . Selenium compounds, such as selenium sulfide, are used topically in anti-dandruff shampoos and in cases of seborrhea . For the purpose of brevity, selenite will the focus of discussion, and more information about selenium can be obtained at . |
DrugBank Pharmacology: | Selenium is a component glutathione peroxidase, which protects cells from oxidative damage caused by peroxidases produced during cellular metabolism . Selenium is needed to maintain the circulatory system. It also keeps the heart muscle and skin tissue healthy. It may also help in the prevention of cancer due to its stimulation of antioxidant activity and protection of cell membranes , . Selenious acid preserves vitamin E, which improves the cell's antioxidant defense, and plays an important role in the structure of teeth . Prolonged TPN (total parenteral nutrition) support in humans has resulted in selenium deficiency symptoms which include muscle pain and tenderness. The symptoms have been reported to respond to supplementation of TPN solutions with selenium , . Pediatric conditions, Keshan disease, and Kwashiorkor have been associated with low dietary intake of selenium. The conditions are endemic to geographical areas marked by low selenium content in the soil. Dietary supplementation with selenium salts has been reported to reduce the incidence of the conditions among affected children . |
DrugBank MoA: | Sodium selenite likely has the same mechanism of action as . The most important physiological role of sodium selenite is associated with its presence as an active component of many enzymes and proteins, in addition to its antioxidative role. Selenium has been shown to activate anticancer agents, prevent heart and vascular diseases, exhibit anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties, and to stimulate the immune system . Its anticancer properties may be explained by the oxidation of free sulfhydryl groups. Tumor cells express free sulfhydryl groups (–SH) on the surface of their cell membranes and contribute to uncontrolled cell division. Only those compounds that can oxidize these groups to disulfides (S–S) may inhibit this process. Some organic forms of selenium, including selenocysteine, methylseleninic acid, and Se-methylselenocysteine have been established to be antioxidants. However, their anticancer mechanism is still not well understood . Selenious acid, during an in vitro study, was found to stimulate hemoglobin synthesis in three different malignant erythroleukemia cell lines (MEL) . It has also been shown to increase the release of interleukin 2 in a dose-dependent manner . Interleukin-2 is made by a type of T lymphocyte (white blood cell). It increases the growth and activity of other T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes and this contributes to the development of the immune system . |
Targets: | -- |
Inclusion Criteria: | Therapeutic strategy associated |

Strategy ID | Strategy | Synonyms | Related Targets | Related Drugs | |
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S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name |
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Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
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I07 | 1936 | Arteriosclerosis | Build-up of fatty material and calcium deposition in the arterial wall resulting in partial or complete occlusion of the arterial lumen.https://ncit.nci.nih.gov/ncitbrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&ns=ncit&code=C35768 | disease of anatomical entity/cardiovascular system disease/ vascular disease/ artery disease | Details |