Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a water-soluble micronutrient required for multiple biological functions.In addition to its antiscorbutic action, vitamin C is a potent reducing agent and scavenger of free radicals in biological systems.
Vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, is one of the most important water-soluble vitamins. The main function of this compound is to prevent and treat scurvy and to act as an antioxidant, although it is also related to other functions.
Ascorbic acid is involved in many physiological functions in living organisms. Its role in the synthesis of collagen in connective tissues is well known (1-4). ... Neurons are known to use ascorbic acid for many different chemical and enzymatic reactions, including the synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones (6,7).
In humans, vitamin C deficiency leads to impaired collagen synthesis, contributing to the more severe symptoms of scurvy. Another biochemical role of vitamin C is to act as an antioxidant (a reducing agent) by donating electrons to various enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions.
