VITAMIN-C [MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY] SOURCE, RECOMMENDED DIETARY ALLOWANCE,DEFICIENCY OF VITAMIN C,FUNCTIONS,ASSAY, REACTION,PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE, INTERACTIONS,USES OF VITAMIN-C. BY- p.

1. Prof. Ravisankar
Vignan Pharmacy college
Valdlamudi
Guntur Dist.
Andhra Pradesh
India.
banuman35@gmail.com
00919059994000

2. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid ) is one of the very essential water-soluble
vitamins. Mainly found in citrus fruits.
It also called antiscorbutic vitamin.
Ascarbate is versatile,water soluble,donor,antioxident.
Thermodynamically, it can be considered to be the thermal,small-
molecule anti oxidant.
In many animals vitamin C is synthesised from glucose in their body
especially in the liver and the kidneys.
In human beings and other primates vitamin C is not synthesised in
the body and it has to be sourced through their food.
Guinea pigs, certain bats and some birds and fish also cannot
synthesise this vitamin in their body.
The chemical formula of vitamin C is C6H8O6.
Levo-form is biologically active but dextro-isoascorbic acid is not
effective as antiscorbutic due to its rapid elimination from the
tissues.
Insufficiency of vitamin C in humans can cause scurvy which can be
life-threatening.
Fun fact: "ascorbic acid" comes from the New Latin "scorbutus" meaning scurvy!

3. Citrus peels
Citrus fruits
Strawberries
Guavas
Kiwi
green and red pepper
tomato
broccoli
potatoes
Green vegetables.

4. Daily intake of dietary vitamin C (according to U.S. recommended
dietary allowances), are listed below.
Pediatric
Birth - 6 months: 40 mg
Infants 6 - 12 months: 50 mg
Children 1 - 3 years: 15 mg
Children 4 - 8 years: 25 mg
Children 9 - 13 years: 45 mg
Adolescent girls 14 - 18 years: 65 mg
Adolescent boys 14 - 18 years: 75 mg
Adults
Men over 18 years: 90 mg
Women over 18 years: 75 mg
Breastfeeding women: 120 mg
Because smoking depletes vitamin C, people who smoke generally
need an additional 35 mg per day.
The doses recommended to prevent or treat many of the conditions
500 - 1,000 mg per day.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

5. “scorbutic tongue”, i.e., related to scurvy,
involves inflammation of the tongue, or
glossitis
Signs of vitamin deficiency include dry and
splitting hair.
Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and
bleeding gums.
rough, dry, scaly skin.
Decreased wound-healing rate
easy bruising
Nosebleeds; and a decreased ability to ward off
infection. A severe form of vitamin C deficiency
is known as scurvy.

6. split-endnails,Frayed,pitted Red-brown
spots ---Deficiency of Vit-C

7. gingivitis
vitamin C deficiency
in pregnent,breast
feading women
may lead to impaired
development of
foetus.
corkscrew hair.

8. It has been known for many centuries as the potentially fatal disease.
By the late 1700's the British navy was aware that scurvy could be cured by eating
oranges or lemons, even though vitamin C would not be isolated until the early
1930's.
•Captain James Cook
James Lind, a pioneer in
the field of scurvy prevention.
Cool Scurvy Dudes
Treatment is simply with vitamin C supplements taken orally.
The adult dose is 800-1000mg/day for at least 1 week, then 400mg/day untill
complete recovery.
In the U.S., the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C was
recently revised upward from 60 mg daily for men and women.
Treatment

9. Low levels of vitamin C have been associated with a
number of conditions, including
high blood pressure,
gallbladder disease,
stroke,
some cancers,
and atherosclerosis (the build-up plaque in blood vessels
that can lead to heart attack and stroke).
Getting enough vitamin C from your diet (by eating lots
of fruit and vegetables) may help reduce the risk of
developing some of these conditions.

10. FUNCTION
accumulates iron in bone marrow, spleen and liver
antioxidant which helps defend cells from the effects of smoke, pollution and
other highly reactive substances called free radicals
controls blood cholesterol levels
converts amino acids into substances needed for normal brain and nerve
functions
converts Folic Acid into active form Folinic Acid
essential for the formation of intercellular material, bone and teeth
essential for the absorption of iron
fights bacterial and viral infections
helps in healing
helps produce anti-stress hormones
maintains elasticity of the skin
maintains healthy blood capillaries
maintains healthy reproductive organs
may help protect against certain cancers, cataracts and heart disease
necessary in production of red blood cells
prevents allergic reactions (antihistamine activity)
prevents hemorrhaging
promotes healthy cell development and resistance to infections
promotes wound healing
protects Vitamin E
vital for collagen formation which is the connective tissue protein in all cells

11. ASSAY: 0.1g o acccurately weighed Vit-C is dissolved in a mixture of freshly boiled
and cooled water(100ml) and 1M H2S04 (25ml). The solution is then titrated
with 0.05M iodine, using starch solution as an indicator,until a persistent
blue-violet colour appears.
Each ml of 0.05M Iodine is 0.00806 g of ascorbic acid (C6H8O6)

12. vitamin C is helpful for preventing heart attack or stroke
vitamin C, acting as an antioxidant, can slow down the progression
of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It helps prevent
damage to LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which then builds up as plaque
in the arteries and can cause heart attack or stroke
vitamin C, have a lower risk of high blood pressure than people who
have poorer diets. Eating foods rich in vitamin C is important for your
overall health, especially if you are at risk for high blood pressure
prevention of high blood pressure, known as the DASH (Dietary
Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, includes lots of fruits and
vegetables, which are loaded with antioxidants.
vitamin C can cure the common cold
Foods rich in vitamin C may be associated with lower rates of cancer,
including skin cancer, cervical dysplasia (changes to the cervix which may be
cancerous or precancerous, picked up by pap smear), and, possibly, breast
cancer.

13. people who eat diets rich in vitamin C are less likely to be diagnosed with arthritis
Vitamin C (500 mg) appears to work with other antioxidants, including zinc (80
mg), beta-carotene (15 mg), and vitamin E (400 IU) to protect the eyes against
developing macular degeneration (AMD).
Some studies suggest that taking vitamin C along with vitamin E may help prevent
pre-eclampsia in women who are at high risk. Pre-eclampsia, characterized by high
blood pressure and too much protein in the urine, is a common cause of pre-term
births
vitamin C may help reduce symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.
vitamin C may also be helpful for:
Boosting immune system function
Maintaining healthy gums
Improving vision for those with uveitis (an inflammation of the middle part of
the eye)
Treating allergy-related conditions, such as asthma, eczema, and hay fever
(called allergic rhinitis)
Reducing effects of sun exposure, such as sunburn or redness (called
erythema)
Alleviating dry mouth, particularly from antidepressant medications (a
common side effect from these drugs)
Healing burns and wounds
Decreasing blood sugar in people with diabetes
Healing of bone fractures

14. Vitamin C is important for the formation of collagen, a form of protein by
stimulating the synthesis of collagen peptides.High concentration of vit-C is
found in collagen. It is involved in the synthesis of collagen peptides, which
are imp. in the formation of dentin. which gives structure to blood vessels,
bones, muscles and cartilage.
Collagen is also found in skin, ligaments and scar tissue and is essential in the
healing of injuries and scar tissue.
Cellular respiration.
In the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline and lysine to hydroxylysine.
In biosynthesis of epinephrine from dopamine in adrenal glands and brain.
Vitamin C also helps in the maintenance of bones, teeth and capillaries.
Vitamin C helps in the absorption of iron and its deficiency may cause
anaemia.
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and it neutralises the free radicals.
It reduces the oxidative stress and protects our body from the damages caused
by the free radicals.
Higher vitamin C intake has been correlated with reduced risk of gastric
cancer.
.
Vitamin C protects from arthritis, heart ailments and cancer, lowering of blood
pressure, and increase in immunity and fertility are some of the benefits.
Physiological Importance (pharmacological aspects)

15. In the conversion of folic acid to tetrahydrofolate.
In the metabolism of carbohydrates and oxidation of phenylalanine and
tyrosine.
hence decrease vit-C leads to hyperglycaemia,decreased glucose
tolerence and resustance to insulin.
In biosynthesis of adrenocorticoid hormones.
In the conversion of cholesterol to cholic acid and in droxylation reactions.
Formation of haemoglobin,erythrocyte maturation by improving the
absorption of iron from GIT.
In microsomal drug metabolism.
Maintenance of structrual integrity of teeth,matrix of bone ,capillary wall.
Healing of bone fractures.
It acts as an antioxidant in the body. It blocks the formation of active
carcinogens from its precursors.

16. NH2HO
HO
NH2HO
HO
OH
dopamine norepinephrine
dopamine beta
hydroxylase
O2; Vitamin C
Dopamine-beta hydroxylase ( neurotransmitter formation)
N
O
N
O
HO
vitamin C; O2
proline hydroxylase
Proline hydoxylase: (collagen formation)
Proline hydroxy proline

17. O
OHO
OH
OHHO
O
OHO
OH
OO
O
Anti-oxidant properties of vitamin C:
helps prevent damage to cellular proteins and DNA
Normal metabolic processes in the cell lead to the generation
of reactive oxidizing agents such as superoxide
Superoxide can react with and damage protein and DNA, leading
to cellular changes that can lead to premature aging and cancer.
Vitamin C reacts with superoxide, thus preventing this damage

18. Possible Interactions:
:
Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- Both aspirin and NSAIDs can lower the
amount of vitamin C in the body because they cause more of the vitamin to be lost in urine.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) -- High doses of vitamin C may lower the amount of acetaminophen passed
in urine, which could cause the levels of this drug in your blood to rise.
Aluminum-containing antacids -- Vitamin C can increase the amount of aluminum your body absorbs,
Aluminum-containing antacids include Maalox and Gaviscon.
Barbiturates -- Barbiturates may decrease the effects of vitamin C. These drugs include
phenobarbital (Luminal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), and seconobarbital (Seconal).
Chemotherapy drugs -- As an antioxidant, vitamin C may interfere with the effects of some drugs
taken for chemotherapy.
Nitrate medications for heart disease -- The combination of vitamin C with nitroglycerin, isosorbide
dinitrate (Isordil), or isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo) reduces the body's tendency to build up a
tolerance to these medications so that they no longer work.
Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) -- Vitamin C can
cause a rise in estrogen levels when taken with these drugs, particularly if you are deficient in
vitamin C to begin with and start taking supplements. Oral estrogens can also decrease the effects of
vitamin C in the body.
Protease inhibitors -- Vitamin C appears to slightly lower levels of indinavir (Crixivan), a medication
used to treat HIV and AIDS.
Tetracycline -- Some evidence suggests that taking vitamin C with the antibiotic tetracycline may
increase the levels of this medication; it may also decrease the effects of vitamin C in the body.
Warfarin (Coumadin) -- There have been rare reports of vitamin C interfering with the effectiveness of
this blood thinning medication.

19. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a water-soluble vitamin which is necessary in the
body to form collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels, and
aids in the absorption of iron. The use of vitamin C in prevention/treatment of
the common cold and respiratory infections
Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant and is necessary for the treatment and
prevention of scurvy.
Vitamin C may also be useful in lowering serum uric acid levels resulting in a
correspondingly lower incidence of goutand an oxidized version that can
cross the blood-brain barrier may reduce neurological deficits and mortality
following a stroke
There is suggestive evidence vitamin C may be useful in the treatment of
pneumonia
Vitamin C's effect on the common cold has been extensively researched and
shown to have no effect.
Treatment of adult scurvy.
It is also increases the absorption of iron from GIT
In combination with methenamine vitamin C increases its antibacterial effect.
It is used in chronic iron toxicity.
Ascorbic acid is used as an antioxident in natural flavours and colours.
Uses of vitamin C

20. Chronic Disease
Cardiovascular Disease
LDL Oxidation
Diabetes
Cataracts
Pulmonary Function
Cancer
Common Cold
Histamine
Allergic
Related Conditions
Immune Functions
Interferons
Vitamin C Actions