Abstract
Introduction. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an essential cofactor of numerous enzymatic reactions and possesses pronounced antioxidant properties. Recent years have seen accumulating evidence of its immunomodulatory effects, particularly the ability to potentiate antiviral response. RNA interferon inducers represent a class of immunomodulators that activate innate immunity through pattern recognition receptors. The combination of ascorbic acid with RNA inducers may provide a synergistic effect in activating antiviral defense.
Objective: to systematize current data on molecular mechanisms of immunomodulatory action of ascorbic acid, analyze possible pathways of synergistic interaction between vitamin C and RNA interferon inducers, and evaluate therapeutic potential of combined preparations.
Material and methods. A systematic analysis of scientific literature in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, eLibrary databases for 2000–2025 was conducted using key terms: ascorbic acid, vitamin C, interferon inducers, RNA PAMP, innate immunity.
Results. Ascorbic acid is involved in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity through multiple mechanisms: it serves as a cofactor for the TET and JmjC family of dioxygenases, which regulate epigenetic modifications in immune cells; modulates the activity of the NF-κB and HIF-1α transcription factors; enhances neutrophil phagocytosis and chemotaxis; and supports the function of NK cells and T lymphocytes. Interferon RNA inducers activate TLR3, TLR7/8, RIG-I, and MDA5 receptors, triggering the IRF3/7 and NF-κB cascades with subsequent production of type I interferons. Synergism can be realized through: increased expression of pattern recognition receptors under the influence of ascorbate; potentiation of IRF and NF-κB signaling pathways; protection against oxidative stress induced by activation of innate immunity; optimization of the energy metabolism of immune cells. Combination drugs containing ascorbic acid and RNA components demonstrate more pronounced antiviral activity compared to monocomponents.
Conclusion. The combination of ascorbic acid with RNA interferon inducers represents a rational strategy for enhancing antiviral immunity. Development of combined preparations based on this principle opens prospects for creating effective and safe means of prevention and therapy of viral infections.
Keywords
Authors and affiliations
T.V. Potupchik(1), Yu.S. Alikin(2), S.V. Generalov(3), L.S. Evert(4, 5), V.I. Tymchuk(6), D.A. Khalakoeva(7), S.R. Abdullaeva(8), А.А. Spitsyn(9)
1-Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after
Professor V.F. Voyno-Yasenetsky” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Russian Federation, 660022, Krasnoyarsk,
Partizana Zheleznyaka St., 1; 2-Scientific and Production Association Evolution of Nature LLC, Voskhod str., 20/1, office 1.2, Novosibirsk, 630102, Russian Federation; 3-Federal State Scientific Institution Russian Anti-Plague Research Institute “Microbe”
of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare, Russian Federation, Saratov, Universitetskaya str., 46; 4-Khakass State University named after N.F. Katanov of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
of the Russian Federation, Medical Institute, Lenin Avenue, 90, Abakan, 655017, Russian Federation; 5-Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, a separate subdivision – Scientific Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, Russian Federation, 660022, Krasnoyarsk, Partizana Zheleznyaka St., 3G; 6-
Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Udmurt Republic «City Clinical Hospital No. 6» of the Ministry of Health of the Udmurt Republic, Truda St., 1, Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, 426067, Russian Federation; 7Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov», Chernyshevsky St., 173, Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, 360004, Russian Federation; 8Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education «Dagestan State Medical University» of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Lenin Square, 1, Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan, 367000, Russian Federation; 9-LLC «NPO Evolution of Nature», Voskhod str., 20/1, office 1.2, Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk region, 630102, Russian Federation
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