Course name: Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy 1

Course code: PHR214 Section: 4

Assignment on: VITAMIN

Submitted To: Ms. Tahmina Yasmin

Submitted By:

Nishat Tabassum Nisha

S.M.M. Sharif Nowaz Antu

Sadia Afroz Silvia

Vitamin

-A vitamin is an organic molecule (or related set of molecules) that is an essential micronutrient
that an organism needs in small quantities for the proper functioning of its metabolism. Most
vitamins are not single molecules, but groups of related molecules called vitamers.

Characterstics:

1. Vitamins occur in plants, animals as well as microorganisms, i.e. it has widespread

occurrence.

2. The plants and many microbes can synthesize all the vitamins, whereas only a few
vitamins are synthesized in animals.

3. Human body can synthesize some vitamins. For eg. Vitamin A from precursor carotene
and Vitamin D from ultraviolet irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol. Some members of
Vitamin B- complex are synthesized by micro-organisms present in the intestinal tract.
Vitamin C is also synthesized in some animals such as rat.

4. All the cells of the body store vitamins to some extent.

5. Vitamins are partly destroyed and partly excreted.

6. Vitamins are non-antigenic.

7. Most of the vitamins are coenzymes, however few are haematopoietic.

8. Vitamins carry out functions in very low concentration; hence total daily requirement is
very small.

9. Vitamins are effective when taken orally.

10. A lack of one or more vitamins (avitaminosis) leads to characteristic deficiency

symptoms in humans as well as in animals.

11. They’re natural components of foods; usually present in very small amounts.
12. They’re essential for normal physiologic function (e.g., growth, reproduction, etc).
13. When absent from the diet, they will cause a specific deficiency.
Classification:

Vitamins have diverse biochemical functions. Vitamins are substances that your body needs to
grow and develop normally. There are 13 vitamins your body needs. They are

-vitamin A (as all-trans-retinol, all-trans-retinyl-esters, as well as all-trans-beta-carotene and

other provitamin A carotenoids),

-vitamin B :

#vitamin B1 (thiamine),

# vitamin B2 (riboflavin),

# vitamin B3 (niacin),

# vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid),

# vitamin B6 (pyridoxine),

# vitamin B7 (biotin),

#vitamin B9 (folic acid or folate),

# vitamin B12 (cobalamins),

- vitamin C (ascorbic acid),

-vitamin D (calciferols),

-vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and

- vitamin K (quinines).

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoids, including retinol, retinal, and retinyl
esters .Vitamin A is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular
communication . Vitamin A is critical for vision as an essential component of rhodopsin, a
protein that absorbs light in the retinal receptors, and because it supports the normal
differentiation and functioning of the conjunctival membranes and cornea 80-90% of vitamin A
is stored in liver.
Indication of vitamin A:

 various diseases of the mucous membranes and skin.

 Eye diseases such as keratitis, conjunctivitis. In addition, the daily intake of vitamin A
improves eye adaptation to darkness.

 To accelerate the healing and regeneration of wounds, burns, fractures.

 Retinol is assigned in the complex therapy for the treatment of acute and chronic
diseases of the biliary tract, liver, and pneumonia.

 Vitamin A supplementation is appropriate with iron deficiency anemia, as the content of

iron in the blood and plasma is retinol interdependent.

Excessive intake of vitamin A has a number of contraindications, of particular concern for

pregnant or lactating women. Also, many people tend to eat more carrots in summer, one
of the foods that has a high vitamin A content, which can produce some visual effects on
your body.

Sources of vitamin A:

There are two types of vitamin A. Preformed vitamin A, also called retinol, is found in animal
products. Good sources are fortified milk, eggs, meat, cheese, liver, halibut fish oil, cream and
kidneys. Pro-vitamin A is found in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, according to
the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). The most common type of pro-vitamin A is beta-
carotene, a carotenoid that produces dark pigments in plant foods. Beta-carotene can be found
in these brightly colored foods:

 Cantaloupe

 Pink grapefruit

 Apricots, carrots

 Pumpkin, Winter squash

 Sweet potatoes, Broccoli

 Dark green, leafy vegetables

Deficiency disorders of vitamin A:

Vitamin A deficiency leads to various pathological changes in organs and systems: it is an

important element that supports the health systems of the body and its organs. The normal
range of vitamin A/retinol is 28–86 μg/dL. Vitamin A deficiency is defined as serum retinol levels
of below 28 μg/dL. Vitamin A deficiency can lead to blindness, skin disease and growth
retardation in children.

Mechanism of action of vitamin A:

In intestinal mucosal membrane cell carotene is converted into retinol

Retinol from carotene esterifies to palmitic acid.

Palmitic acid is converted to retinyl palmitate

Retinyl palmitate moves through lymphatic system to liver where it is

stored

When required retinyl palmitate is hydrolysed to retinol

(zinc & protein is required for the conversion)

Retinol travels via blood stream

Retinol binds to retinol binding protein (RBP)

For rods and cones different protein is bound to retinol

Rods are responsible for vision in dim light

In rod cells the aldehyde form of vitamin A (retinal) and protein ospin
combines to create rhodopsin,which is the photosensitive pigment

When light hits rod cells,the pigment isomerizes which leads to nerve
impulse and results in visual signal.
 Vitamin B

B vitamins are a class of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism.
Though these vitamins share similar names, they are chemically distinct compounds that often
coexist in the same foods. In general, dietary supplement containing all eight are referred to as
a vitamin B complex.

Classifications: There are 8 types of vitamin B. They are:

 Thiamin (B1)
 Riboflavin.(B2)
 Niacin.(B3)
 Pantothenic acid.(B5)
 Biotin.(B7)
 Pyridoxine(B6)
 Folate(B9) (called folic acid when included in supplements)
 Cyanocobalamin(B12).

Definition:

Vitamin B1:
Vitamin B1 also known as Thiamin and is water soluble. It acts as a coenzyme in the metabolism
of the body. Deficiency of thiamine leads to the disease beriberi, a disease affecting the heart
and nervous system.It stored primarily in the liver; however, storage only lasts up to 18 days.
The absorption of thiamine occurs in the duodenum by an active process and is converted to its
active form thiamine pyrophosphate.

Vitamin B2:
Vitamin B2 is essential for human health. It can be found in grains, plants, and dairy products. It
is crucial for breaking down food components, absorbing other nutrients, and maintaining
tissues.

Vitamin B3:
Having enough niacin or vitamin B3, in the body is important for general good health. As a
treatment, higher amounts of niacin can improve cholesterol level and lower cardiovascular
risks.
Vitamin B5:

Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, is one of the most important vitamins for human life.
It’s necessary for making blood cells, and it helps you convert the food you eat into energy.

Vitamin B6:

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that your body needs for
several functions like creation of red blood cells,neurotransmitters reduce Alzheimer’s disease
and so on.

Vitamin B7:

Biotin is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin that helps the body metabolize proteins and
process glucose. It is also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H.

Vitamin B9:

Folic acid is crucial for proper brain function and plays an important role in mental and
emotional health. It aids in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material, and is
especially important when cells and tissues are growing rapidly, such as in infancy, adolescence,
and pregnancy. Folic acid also works closely with vitamin B12 to help make red blood cells and
help iron work properly in the body.

Vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others,
and available as a dietary supplement and a prescription medication. Vitamin B12 does a lot of
things for human body. It helps make DNA and red blood cells.
Indication of Vitamin B:

Vitamin B1:

 Diseases of the heart system (myocarditis, circulatory failure, endarteritis and others)
and the endocrine system

 Reception of vitamin B1 is required when using diuretics, as they accelerate the

excretion of thiamine.

 It reduces pain during neurological diseases, improves the work of the nervous system.

 Vitamin B1 is applied for the treatment of brain dysfunctions. It favors improving the
work of the brain, increasing studying ability and other mental abilities.

 It’s applied for the stopping of Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin B2:

 Eye diseases, "night blindness" (day-blindness), conjunctivitis, keratitis, iritis, cataracts,

Corneal ulcer.

 Chronic Hepatitis and Long unhealed wounds and ulcers.

 Malfunction intestine and violation diet.

 Circulatory insufficiency, asthenia, rheumatism and Addison's disease.

 Hyperthyroidism (increased production of thyroid hormones.)

 Professional activities associated with salts of heavy metals and industrial poisons.

Vitamin B3:

 thick, scaly pigmented rash on skin exposed to sunlight.

 Vomiting, diarrhea and swollen mouth and bright red tongue.
 headache, apathy, fatigue, depression, memory loss.

Vitamin B5:

 neuralgia, polyneuritis, paresthesia.

  various pathologies associated with metabolic disorders in the body,eczema and other
skin diseases.

 bronchial asthma, acute and chronic bronchitis,

 burns, sores, tuberculosis, hyperthyroidism, toxemia in pregnancy.

 chronic liver disease, circulatory insufficiency, chronic pancreatitis.

 non-communicable diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and hypomotoric intestinal

dyskinesia.

Vitamin B6:

 toxemia of pregnancy and leukopenia different origins.

 diseases of the nervous system (neuritis, neuralgia, sciatica, Parkinson's disease,

chorea).

 air and sea sickness and Meniere's disease (a disease of the inner ear),

 acute, chronic hepatitis.

Vitamin B7:

 hypotonia or weak muscles and developmental delay.

 seizures, alopecia or hair loss and eczema.
Vitamin B9:

 Possible to prevent skin diseases, ensuring adequate intake of vitamin B9.

 Folic acid is recommended to people with weakness, fatigue , headaches, memory
problems, anemia, pallor, insomnia, irritability.
 Vitamin B9 is indicated for frequent stress, depression.

Vitamin B12:

 Vitamin B12 is prescribed to treat anemia.

 Vitamin B12 is recommended in neuralgia trigeminal nerve
 This vitamin preparation is used to treat liver diseases, malnutrition and premature
newborns.

Source:
Vitamin B1:

Some foods that are often fortified with B1 are rice, pasta, breads, cereals flour. In Addition
there are more foods which contains vitamin B1 which are Beef ,Pork, Egg, Liver, Nuts,
Oats,Orange.

Vitamin B2:

eggs, nuts, dairy products, meats, broccoli, brewer's yeast, Brussel, wheat germ, wild rice,
mushrooms, soybeans, green leafy vegetables and whole grain and enriched cereals and bread.

Vitamin B3:

Good sources of vitamin B3 (niacin) include yeast, meat, poultry, red fish (e.g., tuna, salmon),
cereals, legumes, and seeds. Milk, green leafy vegetables, coffee, and tea also provide niacin.

Vitamin B5:

It contains in meat, liver, fish, grains, egg yolk, milk, yogurt.

Vitamin B6:

Vitamin B6 found in pork, poultry, such as chicken or turkey, fish,bread ,egg , wholegrain
cereals, such as oatmeal, brown rice, vegetables, soya bean.

Vitamin B7:

Found in Liver,Peanuts, Yeast,Whole-wheat bread, Cheddar, pork, Egg yolk, Salmons, Sardines,
Avocado, Raspberries, Bananas, Mushroom and Cauliflower.

Vitamin B9:

Beans, Citrus fruit, Whole grains, Beets, Cauliflower, lettuce, Asparagus, Green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin B12:

Beef, liver, and chicken, Low-fat milk, yogurt,cheese, fortified breakfast cereal, fish and shellfish
such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, clams and eggs are found in vitamin B12.

Deficiency disorder of Vitamin B:

Vitamin B1:

In whole blood, the reference range of vitamin B1 (thiamine) is 2.5-7.5 μg/dL, vitamin B1
deficinecy level can leads to beriberi disease. Moreover, muscle weakness, loss of appetite,
nausea and vomiting will also occur.

Vitamin B2:

Vitamin B2 is a water-soluble vitamin most commonly found in the body in the form of the
flavocoenzymes flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), the latter
being most abundant. Serum or plasma: 4-24 µg/dL or 106-638 nmol/L. Deficiency level of
vitamin B2 leads to sore throat, redness and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat,
cracks or sores on the outsides of the lips and at the corners of the mouth, inflammation and
redness of the tongue.

Vitamin B3:

Reference range is 0.50 - 8.45 ug/mL for patients 10 years and older and 0.5-8.91 ug/mL for
younger patients. The most common symptoms of niacin deficiency involve the digestive
system, and nervous system. The symptoms of the late stage of severe vitamin B3 deficiency a
disease called 'pellagra' which include inflammation of the skin, vomiting, diarrhea, headache,
memory loss.

Vitamin B5:

Normal blood concentrations of pantothenic acid range from 1.6 to 2.7 mcmol/L, and blood
concentrations below 1 mcmol/L are considered low and suggest deficiency. Vitamin B5
deficiency is rare, but may include symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability,
vomiting, stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory infections.

Vitamin B6:

The reference range for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), the biologically active form of vitamin B6, is
5-50 µg/L. the deficiency of vitamin B6 is leads to skin rashes, mood changes, tiredness,low
energy, glossy tongue.

Vitamin B7:

The reference value of vitamin B7 are 57.0 – 2460.2 pg/mL(for pediatric) and 221.0 – 3004.0
pg/mL(for adult). Deficiency of vitamin B7 leads to dermatitis, alopecia, myalgia, hyperesthesia,
and conjunctivitis.

Vitamin B9:
The reference range of the plasma folate level varies by age, as follows: Adults - 2-20 ng/mL, 2-
20 μg/L, or 4.5-45.3 nmol/L. It tends to tiredness, weakness, headaches, shortness of breath
and heart palpitations.

Vitamin B12:

The normal range for vitamin B-12 in the blood is between 200 and 900 nanograms per milliliter
(ng/mL). Conditions that affect your small intestine, such as Crohn's disease, celiac disease,
bacterial growth, or a parasite. Immune system disorders, such as Graves' disease or lupus.

Mechanism of action of Vitamin B:

Vitamin B1:

Thiamine combines with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the liver, kidneys, and leukocytes.

Then it produces thiamine diphosphate

Thiamine diphosphate acts as a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism

By the utilization of hexose in the hexose-monophosphate shunt.

Vitamin B2:

Riboflavin helps convert carbohydrates into adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

These ATP produces energy in the body.

Vitamin B3:

niacin inhibits a hormone-sensitive lipase in adipose tissuereduces the breakdown of

triglycerides to free fatty acids

Now free fatty acid transport to the liver

It undergoes the lipid metabolism in liver to produce energy.

Vitamin B5:

Pantothenate converts into Phosphopantothenate by Pantothenate kinase

Phosphopantothenate coverts into 4-phosphopanthothenoyal-L-cysteine

Phosphopantothenoyal cysteine synthetase.

4-phosphopanthothenoyal-L-cysteine is coverts into Pantotheine-4-phosphate.

Pantotheine-4-phosphate is converts into Dephospho-CoA

Dephospho-CoA converts into Co-Enzyme A which helps to synthesis and oxidation of fatty

acid.

Vitamin B6:

Pyridoxine is converted in erythrocytes to pyridoxal phosphate and to a lesser extent

pyridoxamine phosphate .

It act as a coenzymes for various metabolic functions affecting protein, carbohydrate, and

lipid utilization.

Vitamin B7:
 Biotin converts into Holocarboxylase

Holocarboxylase forms into Biotinylated peptides

Biotinylated peptides converts into Biocytin

Biocytin converts into Lysin

Vitamin B9:

Folic Acid converts into Tetrahydrofolate

Tetrahydrofolate coverts into 5,10- Methylene THF

5,10- Methylene THF forms 5- Methyl THF

5- Methyl THF forms Antioxidant and endothelial function which ensure cardiac protection.

Vitamin B12:

Homocysteine coverts into Methionine by Vitamin B12

Methionine coverts S-Adenosyl methionine

It helps methylation reaction such as DNA Methylation

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid. It is a water-soluble vitamin, one that cannot be stored

by the body except in insignificant amounts. It must be replenished daily. It helps

produce collagen, a protein needed to develop and maintain healthy teeth, bones,

gums, cartilage, vertebrae discs, joint linings, skin and blood vessels.

Indication:

 Prevention and treatment of beriberi and hypovitaminosis ascorbic acid.

 Improving mental and physical stress.

 As complex treatment of colds.

 When asthenic conditions.

 Condition of pregnancy, especially multiple.

Source:

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower, Green and red peppers, Spinach, cabbage, turnip
greens, and other leafy greens, white potatoes, Tomatoes.
Deficiency disorder of Vitamin C:

Scurvy happens when there is a lack of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. The deficiency leads
to symptoms of weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems. This is because vitamin C is
needed for making collagen, an important component in connective tissues. Vitamin C levels of
less than 0.3 mg/dL indicate significant deficiency, while levels that exceed 0.6 mg/dL indicate
sufficient intake.

Mechanism of action of Vitamin C:

Ascorbic acid degrades upon exposure to air, converting the oxygen to water

Then it oxidized by one electron to a radical state or doubly oxidized to the stable form called
dehydroascorbic acid.

Transcription factor activation occurs which helps gene expression

After that DNA repair, cell proliferation, cell differentiation occurs.

Vitamin D

 A group of fat-soluble secosteroids.

 Responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of ca, mg etc.
 In humans, the most important compounds are vitamin D₃ & D₂.

Indication of vitamin D:
 Dietary supplement.
  Treatment of long term deficiency: rickets, tetany, & osteomalacia.
 Prevention of osteoporosis.
 Other uses: treatment of osteodystrophy, hypocalcaemia, hyperparathyroidism,
hypophosphatemia.

Source of vitamin D:

 Spend time in sunlight.

 Consumes fatty fish
 Mushrooms
 Egg yolks.
 Cheese
 Beef liver.
 Try a UV lamp.
 Take a supplement.

Deficiency of vitamin D:
 Kidney & liver diseases.
 Cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease.
 Gastric bypass surgery.
 Obesity.

Vitamin E
 A group of eight fat soluble compounds.
 Include four tocopherols & four tocotrienols.

Indication of vitamin E:
 Not recommended for the prevention of chronic disease, such as coronary heart disease
or cancer.
 Prevent allergies.

Source of vitamin E:
 Nuts, such as almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts,
 Vegetable oils, such as sunflower, corn and soybean oils,
 Sunflower seeds and green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli.

Deficiency of vitamin E:
 Reproductive failure.
 Derangement of cell permeability.
  Muscular lesions.
 Failure to growth.

Vitamin K

 Fat-soluble.
 Found in foods and in dietary supplements.
 Synthesis of certain proteins that are
 Needed for blood coagulation or for
 Controlling binding of calcium in bones & other tissues.

Types of Vitamin K:

 It has two types.

 Vitamin K-1 or phylloquinone & found in plants,
 Vitamin K-2 or menaquinone & found in the body.

Indication of vitamin K:

 Dietary supplementation.
 Treatment of antibiotic therapy.
 Newborn infants.
 Malabsorption.

Source of vitamin K:
 Green leafy vegetables, such as green leaf lettuce, kale, mustard greens, parsley.
 Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage,
 From meats, fish, liver, eggs.

Deficiency of vitamin K:

 Increased risk with

1) Diffuse liver disease.
2) Fat malabsorption syndromes.

 Deficiency causes bleeding diathesis (skin, gums, viscera)