<![CDATA[ABSTRACT Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates, particularly in developing countries. Although standard anti-tuberculosis drug (OTT) therapy is effective in treating TB, slow sputum clearance and persistent bacterial load remain challenges to successful therapy. Nutritional factors, particularly vitamin C, are known to play a role in the immune response and control of oxidative stress in chronic infections such as tuberculosis. This study aims to demonstrate the benefits of vitamin C supplementation as an adjunct therapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, based on current scientific evidence. This study is a systematic review, compiled according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar data for articles published between January 2022 and August 2024. Inclusion criteria were determined using the PICOS framework and included randomized clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, observational studies, and cross-sectional studies. Six studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed narratively. The review results indicate that vitamin C supplementation at a dose of 500–1000 mg per day as an adjunct to standard anti-tuberculosis therapy has the potential to accelerate sputum conversion and reduce bacterial load compared with standard therapy alone. Furthermore, low vitamin C levels have been found to correlate with disease severity and delayed sputum conversion. Several in vitro studies have also demonstrated a synergistic effect between vitamin C and certain anti-tuberculosis drugs in enhancing bactericidal activity. Overall, vitamin C has potential as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, larger randomized clinical trials are needed to establish more standardized recommendations for use in clinical practice. Keywords: Vitamin C, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Adjuvant Therapy, Sputum Conversion, Oxidative Stress. ABSTRAK Tuberkulosis paru (TB) masih menjadi masalah kesehatan global yang signifikan dengan angka morbiditas dan mortalitas yang tinggi, terutama di negara berkembang. Meskipun terapi standar obat anti-tuberkulosis (OAT) efektif dalam pengobatan TB, konversi sputum yang lambat dan persistensi beban bakteri masih menjadi tantangan dalam keberhasilan terapi. Faktor nutrisi, khususnya vitamin C, diketahui berperan dalam respons imun serta pengendalian stres oksidatif pada infeksi kronis seperti tuberkulosis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi manfaat suplementasi vitamin C sebagai terapi tambahan pada pasien tuberkulosis paru berdasarkan bukti ilmiah terkini. Penelitian ini merupakan tinjauan sistematis yang disusun berdasarkan pedoman PRISMA 2020. Pencarian literatur dilakukan pada basis data PubMed dan Google Scholar terhadap artikel yang dipublikasikan antara Januari 2022 hingga Agustus 2024. Kriteria inklusi ditentukan menggunakan kerangka PICOS dan mencakup uji klinis acak, studi kuasi-eksperimental, studi observasional, dan studi potong lintang. Sebanyak enam studi memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan dianalisis secara naratif. Hasil tinjauan menunjukkan bahwa suplementasi vitamin C dengan dosis 500–1000 mg per hari sebagai tambahan terapi OAT standar berpotensi mempercepat konversi sputum dan menurunkan beban bakteri dibandingkan dengan terapi standar saja. Selain itu, kadar vitamin C yang rendah ditemukan berkorelasi dengan tingkat keparahan penyakit dan keterlambatan konversi sputum. Beberapa penelitian in vitro juga menunjukkan adanya efek sinergis antara vitamin C dan obat anti-tuberkulosis tertentu dalam meningkatkan aktivitas bakterisidal.Secara keseluruhan, vitamin C memiliki potensi sebagai terapi adjuvan pada pengobatan tuberkulosis paru. Namun, diperlukan uji klinis acak dengan skala yang lebih besar untuk menetapkan rekomendasi penggunaan yang lebih terstandarisasi dalam praktik klinis. Kata Kunci: Vitamin C, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Adjuvant Therapy, Sputum Conversion, Oxidative Stress.]]>
