The beneficial effects of ascorbic acid on murine burns

Female Swiss-Webster mice, anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium, were given full-thickness burns on a depilated area of the lower back with a stainless steel tube (2 cm) at 100C for 10 seconds. About 30 minutes postburn, various doses of ascorbic acid were given in drinking water or intraperitoneally. Mean burn seventy was evaluated on a scale of 0 (normal) to 4 (severe). The results suggested that appropriate intraperitoneal doses of ascorbic acid, administered shortly after thermal injury, significantly retard tissue necrosis in the murine burn wound for 72 hours.