Activity of ascorbic acid in inhibiting the multiplication of M. leprae in the mouse foot pad.

Ascorbic acid was fed to mice in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.15%, and 0.45% w/w in the diet. Six months after inoculation of M. leprae into the foot pads, there were significantly fewer acid-fast bacilli harvested from animals receiving 0.15% and 0.45% w/w ascorbic acid than from control mice. On the other hand, M. leprae did multiply in mice fed ascorbic acid while no multiplication at all was observed in animals fed dapsone, clofazimine or rifampin. No toxic effects of ascorbic acid were noted in these mice.