Peptide reference
Glutathione
GSH ·L-Glutathione ·γ-Glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine ·gamma-Glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine ·Reduced glutathione
What cited sources report about glutathione
Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous tripeptide (γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine) synthesized in nearly all cells and centrally involved in antioxidant defense, xenobiotic conjugation, and redox signaling. It is widely available as an oral dietary supplement and as a compounded injectable; some surgical-irrigation and ophthalmic-kit components are FDA-cleared, but no broad systemic glutathione drug product with an FDA-approved labeled indication appears in the cited DailyMed result set. The summaries below report what individual cited sources state; this page does not assert claims beyond what those sources report.
Lapenna (2023) — Ageing Research Reviews
A 2023 review characterized glutathione and glutathione-dependent enzymes across antioxidant, detoxification, and redox-signaling roles, and reported that tissue GSH concentrations decline with aging in a manner generally attributed to impaired biosynthesis. The author summarized supplementation strategies — including N-acetylcysteine, oral GSH, and glycine + cysteine combinations — and noted that direct oral GSH bioavailability remains a topic of methodological debate.
GSH levels decline during aging, an alteration generally related to impaired GSH biosynthesis and leading to cell dysfunction.
Sonthalia et al. (2016) — Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology
A dermatology review surveyed topical, oral, and intravenous glutathione for skin-lightening indications. The authors characterized the published efficacy evidence for IV glutathione as inadequate and documented that the Philippines FDA had issued a public warning condemning off-label IV use. The review distinguished topical and oral formulations — for which a small evidence base exists — from injectable preparations marketed for cosmetic skin-lightening.
The adverse effects caused by intravenous glutathione have led the Food and Drug Administration of Philippines to issue a public warning condemning its use for off-label indications such as skin lightening.
DailyMed — National Library of Medicine
A DailyMed search for “glutathione” returns a mixed result set including compounded preparations, surgical-irrigation/ophthalmic-kit components, and dietary-supplement-style formulations. No NDA-approved systemic glutathione drug product with a labeled therapeutic indication appears in the search results as of this writing.
PubChem CID 124886 — National Center for Biotechnology Information
The PubChem compound record for glutathione lists molecular formula C10H17N3O6S, consistent with the tripeptide γ-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine. The record aggregates synonyms — including GSH, L-glutathione, and reduced glutathione — and links to the underlying chemical and biochemical literature.
Coverage notes
Glutathione is endogenous and ubiquitously expressed. It is regulated in the US primarily as a dietary-supplement ingredient (oral) and via 503A/503B compounding (injectable); a narrow set of ophthalmic-kit and surgical-irrigation components carry FDA clearance but do not represent a systemic-therapy approval. The IV skin-lightening market is the subject of repeated regulatory caution by international authorities; the Sonthalia 2016 review documents the Philippines FDA warning. Anyone evaluating a specific product should consult current FDA Orange Book and DailyMed records directly.