Some behavioural and EEG effects of ascorbic acid in rats.

Ascorbic acid (50-200 mg/kg IP) activated gross behaviour and EEG of rats. The behavioural excitation induced by d-amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg SC) was significantly potentiated by ascorbic acid (100-200 mg/kg IP). Catalepsy induced by haloperidol (0.25 mg/kg IP) was attenuated by ascorbic acid (50-200 mg/kg IP) while pentobarbitone (20 mg/kg IP)-induced sleep in rats was dose-dependently antagonised by ascorbic acid (50-400 mg/kg IP). Ascorbic acid (50-400 mg/kg IP) desynchronized the EEG of the frontal cortex and optic cortex while the EMG activity was slightly enhanced in the rat. Ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg IP) potentiated d-amphetamine (2.5 mg/kg SC)-induced EEG desynchronization and EMG activation in the rat. These results indicate that ascorbic acid exerts stimulatory effects in rats. The results also suggest that dopaminergic mechanism may contribute indirectly or directly to the observed behavioural and EEG effects of ascorbic acid.