Magnesium oxide is an inorganic compound with widespread applications in the medical field. From traditional drug therapy to modern biomedical research, magnesium oxide plays a crucial role in various medical application scenarios due to its unique chemical properties. This article will detail five major applications of magnesium oxide in the medical field, offering you an in-depth understanding of the medical value of this remarkable substance.
1. Treating Digestive System Diseases
Magnesium oxide is commonly used in the production of antacids and laxatives. It can effectively neutralize stomach acid, acting quickly and persistently without producing carbon dioxide, and protecting ulcer surfaces. Thus, it is primarily used to treat gastric diseases and duodenal ulcers.
Due to its excellent antacid effect, magnesium oxide is also used as an additive in gastric medications, helping to relieve stomach pain and indigestion.
2. As a Pharmaceutical Intermediate
Pharmaceutical-grade magnesium oxide is widely used as an intermediate in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process. For example, it can be used to produce artificial kidney dialysis solutions and disinfectant solutions.
In the field of biopharmaceuticals, magnesium oxide also serves as a neutralizing agent, heavy metal adsorbent, anti-caking agent, filter aid, desulfurizing agent, and decolorizing agent. These applications are crucial for improving drug quality and safety.
3. For Biomedical Research
In recent years, magnesium oxide nanoparticles have attracted significant interest from researchers due to their excellent biocompatibility and various biomedical applications (such as antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties, as well as in tissue engineering).
Magnesium oxide nanoparticles show great potential in bioimaging and drug delivery applications, although their mechanisms and applications in the biomedical field require further exploration.
4. For Manufacturing Medical Excipients
Magnesium oxide also finds extensive application in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical excipients, such as fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants. These excipients play a crucial role in drug stability and efficacy.
During the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, magnesium oxide is also used as a coating material, plasticizer, and enteric material, helping to improve the drug’s appearance and pharmacological effects.
5. As a Natural Health Product
Magnesium oxide can also serve as a food additive and raw material for health products, such as an anti-caking agent, antacid, and filter aid.
Due to its antibacterial and coloring properties, magnesium oxide has broad application prospects in food and health products, contributing to enhancing product safety and quality.
In summary, magnesium oxide plays multiple important roles in the medical field. From directly treating diseases to serving as a drug component and excipient, and even advancing biomedical research, the applications of magnesium oxide are exceptionally broad. In the future, with deepening research and technological advancements, the application prospects of magnesium oxide in the medical field will become even wider.