Ferric iron ion (Fe³⁺)

Ferric iron ion (Fe³⁺) is the oxidized (+3) form of iron, a transition metal essential for numerous biological processes in humans and other organisms[5][6]. Fe³⁺ acts as a cofactor in enzymes, is required for electron transport, and is a critical component of proteins like transferrin and ferritin that regulate iron storage and transport[5][6]. In the body, non-heme dietary iron is usually present as Fe³⁺ and must be reduced to Fe²⁺ for absorption across the gut[5]. Medically, Fe³⁺ is used in compounds such as ferric citrate to treat hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease and as part of iron supplementation therapy for iron deficiency anemia[5]. Disruption in ferric iron homeostasis is implicated in several diseases, including anemia, iron overload syndromes, and increased susceptibility to infection due to altered availability for pathogens[5][6]. As an ion itself, ferric iron is not a classical drug target such as a protein receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a chemical entity involved in chemical and metabolic pathways and regulated via binding proteins, chelators, and dietary interventions[5][6].

Other names

Ferric ionIron(III) ionIron(3+)Fe(III)Ferric cation

Phosphate binding (e.g., ferric citrate binds intestinal phosphate), Iron supplementation (serves as an iron donor for erythropoiesis), Iron chelation (targeted by iron chelators in toxicity or overload)