Selenium and small molecules: a symbiotic partnership

Nowadays, the generation of new drugs has become a priority to overcome the scarcity of effective and safe drugs. The incorporation of selenium (Se) into the structure of a large number of organic molecules has proven to be a valid approach in the design of compounds of particular therapeutical interest. Despite the bioactivities ascribed to them, their clinical application has been scantly investigated. Nonetheless, ebselen has attracted great attention throughout the years as the preclinical and clinical data collected so far indicate that it merits further development. This chapter will provide an overview of the history of this experimental drug, its pharmacological activities, and its clinical outcomes from different studies.