This study seeks to investigate the effects of vitamin C on ethanol withdrawal-induced anxiety, depression, and cortical oxidative stress in rats. Adolescent rats were exposed to an escalating ethanol exposure paradigm, and anxiety-like and depressive behaviors were assessed.

Ethanol withdrawal was found to produce a significant increase in these behaviors as well as increased oxidative stress in the cerebral cortex. Concomitant administration of vitamin C, particularly at a dose of 20 mg/kg, attenuated withdrawal-induced behavioral changes and normalized cortical oxidative stress parameters.

The combination of vitamin C and diazepam further enhanced the protective effect against the harmful effects of ethanol withdrawal.

The results suggest that vitamin C, likely due to its antioxidant properties, may alleviate the neuropsychiatric complications associated with alcohol use disorders.

Abstract: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07347324.2025.2460827