Vanadium

Abstract

Vanadium (V) is the most biologically active and the most naturally present of the group V transition metals forming a range of compounds and acting as either a cation or an anion. It is widely used in steel alloys. It has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and antihyperglycemic activities, and since the mid‐2010s, it has come to be used in a number of therapeutics. It has antioxidant properties and influences the metabolism of carbohydrates and at low levels, is an essential nutrient in mammals. Recently, it has become popular in use in nanoparticle form. On the adverse side, it can cause lipid peroxidation and adversely affect mitochondrial respiration. Vanadium pentoxide particulates do cause cancer by a nongenotoxic mechanism.