Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Ciriza J, Rodríguez-Romano A, Nogueroles I, Gallego-Ferrer G, Cabezuelo RM, Pedraz JL, Rico P. Borax-loaded injectable alginate hydrogels promote muscle regeneration in vivo after an injury. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2021 Apr;123:112003. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2021.112003. 

Abstract. This work proposes a different and simple approach to potentiate muscle regeneration exploiting the interplay between specific cell membrane receptors. The simultaneous stimulation of borate transporter, NaBC1 (encoded by SLC4A11gene), and fibronectin-binding integrins induced higher number and size of focal adhesions, major cell spreading and actin stress fibers, strengthening myoblast attachment and providing an enhanced response in terms of myotube fusion and maturation.

Hussain SA, Abood SJ, Gorial FI. The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot study. J Intercult Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 8;6(1):58-64. doi: 10.5455/jice.20161204021549.

Abstract. The use of boron, as adjuvant with etanercept, has potentiated therapeutic outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients, and may be a new strategy to improve treatment, and avoid the problems associated with biologics utilized in rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Hadrup N, Frederiksen M, Sharma AK. Toxicity of boric acid, borax and other boron containing compounds: A review. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2021 Apr;121:104873. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104873.

Abstract.  We assessed the toxicity of boric acid, borax and other forms of boron, after inhalation, dermal and oral exposure.

Tanpichai S, Phoothong F, Boonmahitthisud A. Superabsorbent cellulose-based hydrogels cross-liked with borax. Sci Rep. 2022 May 26;12(1):8920. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-12688-2.

Abstract. Cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, has been widely attracted owing to availability, intoxicity, and biodegradability. Environmentally friendly hydrogels were successfully prepared from water hyacinth-extracted cellulose using a dissolution approach with sodium hydroxide and urea, and sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax) was used to generate cross-linking between hydroxyl groups of cellulose chains. The incorporation of borax could provide the superabsorbent feature into the cellulose hydrogels.

Ahmed M, Hussein IA, Onawole AT, Saad MA. Development of a New Borax-Based Formulation for the Removal of Pyrite Scales. ACS Omega. 2020 Jun 12;5(24):14308-14315. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00556.

Abstract. In the oil and gas industry, pyrite forms one of the most hardened scales in reservoirs, which hinders the flow of fluids. Consequently, this leads to blockage of the downhole tubular, formation damage, and complete shutdown of production and operational processes. Herein, a new green formulation based on borax (K2B4O7) is proposed for pyrite scale removal. The temperature effect, disk rotational speed, and borax concentration have been investigated using a rotating disk apparatus. Also, XPS and SEM-EDX analyses were conducted on the pyrite disk surface before and after the treatment with the green formulation.

Zhai X, Gao S, Xiang Y, Wang A, Li Z, Cui B, Wang W. Cationized high amylose maize starch films reinforced with borax cross-linked nanocellulose. Int J Biol Macromol. 2021 Dec 15;193(Pt B):1421-1429. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.10.206.

Abstract. In this study, a novel strategy for modifying nanocellulose (NC) by borax cross-linking was developed, and the obtained borax modified nanocellulose (BNC) was incorporated into cationized high amylose maize starch (CS) films to evaluate the applicability.

Chen X, Ji N, Li F, Qin Y, Wang Y, Xiong L, Sun Q. Dual Cross-Linked Starch-Borax Double Network Hydrogels with Tough and Self-Healing Properties. Foods. 2022 Apr 30;11(9):1315. doi: 10.3390/foods11091315.

Abstract. Herein, we have fabricated starch-borax double cross-linked network (DC) hydrogels with tough and self-healing properties using a one-pot method. The addition of borax significantly increased the storage modulus and loss modulus of these starch-borax DC hydrogels.

Tantiwatcharothai S, Prachayawarakorn J. Property improvement of antibacterial wound dressing from basil seed (O. basilicum L.) mucilage- ZnO nanocomposite by borax crosslinking. Carbohydr Polym. 2020 Jan 1;227:115360. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115360.

Abstract. Some applications, in particular, wound dressings, require significant water holding capability: hydrogels formed from Basil seed mucilage (BSM) are non-toxic natural substances and exhibit the needed water holding capacity. However, the sponges have low dimensional stability and easily degrade in aqueous media. We overcame this drawback by crosslinking with borax.

 Ince S, Kucukkurt I, Cigerci IH, Fatih Fidan A, Eryavuz A. The effects of dietary boric acid and borax supplementation on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity, and DNA damage in rats. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2010 Jul;24(3):161-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2010.01.003.

Abstract.  The aims of this study were to clarify the effects of high dietary supplementation with boric acid and borax, called boron (B) compounds, on lipid peroxidation (LPO), antioxidant activity, some vitamin levels, and DNA damage in rats.