Zinc chloride

Zinc chloride is an inorganic salt that serves as a pharmacological source of divalent zinc ions (Zn2+), which are essential trace elements for human health [1, 2]. It is primarily utilized in clinical settings to prevent or treat zinc deficiency and is frequently included as a component in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions [2, 3]. Biologically, zinc chloride is not a therapeutic target—such as a receptor or enzyme—but is instead a precursor to the zinc ions that act as critical cofactors for hundreds of enzymes, including those involved in nucleic acid synthesis and antioxidant defense [1, 4]. These ions also provide crucial structural stability to zinc finger proteins, which are the most common class of transcription factors in the human genome [4]. Through these multifaceted roles, zinc is vital for proper immune system function, protein synthesis, and wound repair [3]. Pharmacological management with zinc chloride requires careful dosing, as excessive intake can lead to secondary copper deficiency and impaired immune response [2, 4]. (Citations: [1] PubChem CID 24607; [2] DrugBank DB01457; [3] NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; [4] StatPearls: Zinc Deficiency).

Other names

Zinc(II) chlorideZinc dichlorideButter of zincChlorozinc

Zinc chloride dissociates into divalent zinc ions (Zn2+), which serve as essential cofactors for over 300 enzymes (e.g., carbonic anhydrase, carboxypeptidase) and provide the structural framework for zinc-finger motifs in transcription factors, thereby regulating gene expression and cellular metabolism [1, 2, 4].