From a Murder Weapon to a Medication

Arsenic has an interesting history and present:

Arsenic is an element found in nature in rocks, soils, water and air–in fact, it is one of the most common elements on earth. While arsenic has been used historically in industry in fertilizers and preservatives, it is probably best known as a poison, toxic to humans who ingest it.

One of the most famous series of poisonings was by the Borgia family, specifically Pope Alexander VI (Pope from 1492-1503), his son Cesare, and perhaps his daughter Lucretia. During their lifetime an interesting church law allowed for confiscation of property following a victim‘s untimely death.

The Pope encouraged cardinals to increase their personal wealth, then invited wealthy cardinals to the Borgia’s home where they were served a meal with arsenic laced wine. Upon death, the vic-tim’s property was seized, so that soon the Borgias were one of the wealthiest families in Italy.

As karma would have it, the Pope and his son were poisoned by the same arsenic-laced wine, perhaps accidentally, who’s to say?

Another famous arsenic poisoner was Mary Ann Cotton (1832-1873). She is reportedly to have killed more than 20 people between 1852 and 1872, including her husbands and her children. Her motives  appeared to be… who can take a guess? … financial, you guessed it!

Again, the ending is fitting… Mrs. Cotton was hanged in 1873 upon proof of arsenic poisoning of one of her victims.

However, arsenic has another face to it.  Throughout history arsenic has been used in various medicines. Most had limited to no real benefit. In the mid 20th century some drugs containing arsenic, known as arsenicals, showed some effectiveness on human trypanosomiasis (a parasitic protozoan). However, arsenicals are toxic and caused death in 5 to 10% of the patients. Despite the danger, these drugs are still used in Africa today. (American Cancer Society 2009) A recent medicine, arsenic trioxide, has shown effectiveness on acute promyelocytic leukemia, APL. It received FDA approval in 2001. (see MedlinePlus: Arsenic Trioxide Injection)

In a January 2005 article, Retinoic Acid and Arsenic for Treating Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, presents research on using  a combination of arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a derivative of Vitamin A, to treat APL.

Pretty amazing, huh?