Chemicals and Drugs

Ascorbic Acid

A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

18 entry terms
  • L-Ascorbic Acid
  • Vitamin C
  • Acid, Ascorbic
  • Acid, L-Ascorbic
  • L Ascorbic Acid
  • Ascorbic Acid, Monosodium Salt
  • Ferrous Ascorbate
  • Hybrin
  • Magnesium Ascorbate
  • Magnesium Ascorbicum
  • Magnesium di-L-Ascorbate
  • Magnorbin
  • Sodium Ascorbate
  • Ascorbate, Ferrous
  • Ascorbate, Magnesium
  • Ascorbate, Sodium
  • Magnesium di L Ascorbate
  • di-L-Ascorbate, Magnesium

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

/defic = ASCORBIC ACID DEFICIENCY or SCURVY

MeSH Record

History Note

/therapeutic use was ASCORBIC ACID, THERAPEUTIC 1965

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D02w.241w.081.844w.107w
  2. D02w.241w.511w.902w.107w
  3. D09w.811w.100w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 210

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Ascorbic Acid. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001205. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001205
  2. Ascorbic Acid. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemistry_of_ascorbic_acid
  3. Ascorbic Acid. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193598