Vitamin C shield protecting DNA from Leishmania

Can Vitamin C Protect Against a Leishmaniasis Drug's Side Effects?

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"New research explores how ascorbic acid could reduce the genetic damage caused by miltefosine, a key drug in treating Leishmaniasis."

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease found worldwide, caused by various species of Leishmania protozoa. Visceral leishmaniasis, the most severe form, can be fatal if left untreated, with a significant number of new cases and deaths occurring each year.

Miltefosine is a crucial oral medication used to combat leishmaniasis, particularly in cases resistant to traditional treatments. However, recent studies indicate that miltefosine can cause genomic lesions by DNA oxidation, raising concerns about its safety.

The use of antioxidants like Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is being explored to mitigate the damaging effects of miltefosine. Researchers are investigating whether Vitamin C can reduce the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of miltefosine, and if it interferes with the drug's ability to fight the Leishmania parasite.

How Can Vitamin C Help?

Vitamin C shield protecting DNA from Leishmania

A new study has explored the potential of Vitamin C to reduce the harmful side effects of miltefosine, a drug used to treat Leishmaniasis. The research focused on whether Vitamin C could protect against DNA damage caused by miltefosine without reducing the drug's effectiveness.

The study involved experiments with mice, both uninfected and infected with Leishmania infantum. The mice were treated with miltefosine alone, Vitamin C alone, or a combination of both. Researchers then conducted several tests, including:

Comet Assays: to assess DNA damage in cells.
Micronucleus Tests: to evaluate genetic mutations.
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Enzyme Dosages: to measure antioxidant enzyme activity.
Parasitic Burden Assessments: to determine the effectiveness of the treatment in reducing the number of parasites.

The results showed that Vitamin C, when administered intraperitoneally (through injection), offered a protective effect against DNA damage caused by miltefosine. However, this protective effect was not observed when Vitamin C was given orally, possibly due to lower absorption levels in the body.

The Future of Leishmaniasis Treatment

This study suggests that Vitamin C can help protect against the genotoxic effects of miltefosine, a key drug in treating Leishmaniasis, without reducing the drug's effectiveness. Further research is needed to optimize the method of Vitamin C delivery and fully understand its potential benefits for patients undergoing Leishmaniasis treatment. It also highlights the effectiveness of miltefosine in reducing parasitic burden, even at lower doses.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.12.002, Alternate LINK

Title: Ascorbic Acid Reduces The Genetic Damage Caused By Miltefosine (Hexadecylphosphocholine) In Animals Infected By Leishmania (Leishamnia) Infantum Without Decreasing Its Antileishmanial Activity

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Patrícia Valéria Castelo-Branco, Hugo José Alves, Raissa Lacerda Pontes, Vera Lucia Maciel-Silva, Silma Regina Ferreira Pereira

Published: 2019-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the role of miltefosine in treating Leishmaniasis?

Miltefosine is a crucial oral medication used to combat Leishmaniasis, particularly in cases that are resistant to traditional treatments. It is a key drug in the fight against the Leishmania parasite. The article highlights miltefosine's effectiveness in reducing the parasitic burden, even at lower doses. However, the article also notes that miltefosine can cause genomic lesions by DNA oxidation, raising concerns about its safety.

Why is Vitamin C being explored as a potential treatment alongside miltefosine?

Scientists are exploring Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to mitigate the damaging effects of miltefosine. Studies indicate that miltefosine can cause DNA damage (genomic lesions), raising safety concerns. Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, is investigated for its potential to reduce these genotoxic and mutagenic effects caused by miltefosine, while ensuring it does not interfere with the drug's effectiveness in fighting the Leishmania parasite.

What specific tests were conducted in the study involving Vitamin C and miltefosine?

The study used several tests to evaluate the effects of Vitamin C and miltefosine. These included Comet Assays to assess DNA damage in cells, Micronucleus Tests to evaluate genetic mutations, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Enzyme Dosages to measure antioxidant enzyme activity, and Parasitic Burden Assessments to determine the treatment's effectiveness in reducing the number of parasites. These tests were conducted on mice, both infected and uninfected with Leishmania infantum, treated with miltefosine, Vitamin C, or a combination of both.

How did the method of administering Vitamin C impact the study's findings?

The method of administering Vitamin C significantly impacted the study's findings. The results showed that when Vitamin C was administered intraperitoneally (through injection), it offered a protective effect against DNA damage caused by miltefosine. However, this protective effect was not observed when Vitamin C was given orally, possibly due to lower absorption levels in the body. This highlights the importance of the delivery method when using Vitamin C to mitigate the side effects of miltefosine.

What are the implications of this research for future Leishmaniasis treatments?

The study suggests that Vitamin C can help protect against the genotoxic effects of miltefosine, a key drug in treating Leishmaniasis, without reducing its effectiveness. The findings highlight a potential strategy to reduce the side effects of miltefosine. Further research is needed to optimize the method of Vitamin C delivery. The goal is to fully understand its potential benefits for patients undergoing Leishmaniasis treatment. This could lead to improved treatment outcomes, balancing the efficacy of miltefosine with reduced risk of side effects, improving the lives of those affected by the parasitic disease.