Aging and its treatment with vitamin C: a comprehensive mechanistic review

Mol Biol Rep. 2021 Dec;48(12):8141-8153. doi: 10.1007/s11033-021-06781-4. Epub 2021 Oct 15.

Abstract

Aging and age-related disorders have become one of the prominent issue of world. Oxidative stress due to overproduction of reactive oxygen species is the most significant cause of aging. The aim of literature compilation was to elucidate the therapeutic effect of vitamin C against oxidative stress. Various mediators with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties might be probable competitors of vitamin C for the improvement of innovative anti-aging treatments. More attention has been paid to vitamin C due to its anti-oxidant property and potentially beneficial biological activities for inhibiting aging.Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant agent and free radical scavenger that can protect the cell from oxidative stress, disorganization of chromatin, telomere attrition, and prolong the lifetime. This review emphasizes mechanism of aging and various biomarkers that are directly related to aging and also focuses on the therapeutic aspect of vitamin C against oxidative stress and age-related disorders.

Keywords: Age-related disorders,vitamin C; Aging; Antioxidant; Oxidative stress; Reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects*
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid / metabolism
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Ascorbic Acid