Stimulation of ascorbate-induced hypoxia by lignin.

Alkali-lignin, lignin sulfonate or protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) significantly enhanced the ascorbyl radical intensity and cytotoxic activity of ascorbate, but inhibited the intracellular incorporation of [14C]ascorbic acid. These natural products also enhanced ascorbate-induced oxygen consumption, resulting in the rapid depletion of oxygen from culture medium. Enhancement of oxygen consumption was coupled with elevation of oxidation potential. These data suggest that lignin and PSK stimulate the cytotoxic activity of ascorbate by hypoxia.