Table 1.

Summary of iron chelators.

Iron Chelator	Summary
	Structure	Derivative	Mechanisms	Application
Deferoxamine N’-{5 [Acetyl(hydroxy)amino] pentyl}-N-[5-({4-[(5-aminopentyl) (hydroxy)amino]-4-oxobutanoyl}amino)pentyl]-N-hydroxysuccinamide	Hexidentate structure comprising multiple carbonyl and hydroxyl groups that donate electrons Fe3+, making it chemically inert, by preventing further redox cycling. Chelates iron in a one-to-one ratio	Bacterial siderophore produced by actinobacteria		Clinically, the most widely used iron chelator to treat iron over-load. Applied topically to the skin in experimental studies
Kojic Acid 5-Hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-4H-pyran-4-one	Bidentate iron chelator	Various species of Aspergillus and Penicillium in an anaerobic process	Varying rates of interaction with cellular iron pools in different tissues; effects on plasma iron pools remain incompletely understood	Current applications are cosmetic: “natural” antioxidant and skin lightener
Deferiprone 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethylpyridin-4(1H)-one	Bidentate iron chelator	Antibacterial effect		Clinically used for beta-thalassemia major treatment; its use is limited by toxicity (agranulocytosis/ liver failure). Applied topically to the skin in experimental studies.
Ciclopiroxolamine 6-cyclohexyl-1-hydroxy-4-methylpyridin-2(1H)-one	Lipophilic bidentate iron chelator. Causes loss of function of catalase and peroxidase enzymes	Also classified as a hydroxypyridinone antifungal agent. Further anti-inflammatory properties		Topical treatment of onychomycosis, tinea pedis and corporis.

As can be seen, iron chelators may have antibacterial/antifungal, anti-inflammatory and skin lightening effects (Porter, 2009). These mixed effects limit the testing of experimental hypothesis surrounding role of iron and iron deficiency in cutaneous wound-healing.