The influence of an extract of orange peel on the growth and ascorbic acid metabolism of young guinea‐pigs

Young male guinea‐pigs receiving a maintenance dose of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (0.1 mg/100 g body weight daily) received a daily supplement of a flavonoid‐rich extract of orange peel (5 mg/100 g body weight). The extract significantly increased the ascorbic acid concentration on the adrenals, spleen and leucocytes but not in the liver and brain. Hesperidin had a similar effect. The possible mechanisms of these changes are discussed. The orange extract and the hesperidin both produced a marked increase in the body weight of the guinea‐pigs; this effect was absent in ascorbic acid sufficient guinea‐pigs. The extract did not influence the survival time of the scorbutic guinea‐pigs. These indications of a partial vitamin C activity on the part of the flavonoids suggest that ascorbic acid is a multifunctional vitamin with its growth‐promoting function separate from (and presumably subordinate to) the prevention of scurvy.