Glutathione — compound monograph
Endogenous tripeptide thiol antioxidant. Unapproved, research supply. The Institute assesses 3 outcomes for this compound and grades the strongest at low certainty.
§1Identification and status
§1.1Nomenclature
- Preferred name
- Glutathione
- Compound class
- Endogenous tripeptide thiol antioxidant
- Assessment series
- Mitochondrial and metabolic cofactors
- Synonyms and codes
- GSH · L-glutathione reduced · γ-Glu-Cys-Gly
- Route as evaluated
- Intravenous, nebulised, topical or oral; subcutaneous and intramuscular in research contexts
§1.2Chemistry
Chemical identifiers are reproduced where they are public. Where a structure has not been published the monograph records not disclosed rather than constructing one.[1]
- CAS registry number
- 70-18-8
- Molecular formula
- C10H17N3O6S
- Average mass
- 307.32
- Monoisotopic mass
- 307.08
- ATC classification
- V03AB32
§1.3Sequence and structural notes
A tripeptide with an unusual gamma-glutamyl linkage rather than the conventional alpha peptide bond, which confers resistance to standard aminopeptidases. Its free cysteine thiol is both the source of its biological activity and the reason it is among the least stable compounds in this series.
§1.4Assessment status
The Institute assesses Glutathione across 3 indications and grades the strongest of them at low certainty. Supplied as a research chemical; no marketing authorisation for the uses under which it is supplied.
Table 1. Assessed outcomes for Glutathione, ordered by certainty. Each row links to the per-indication evidence extract.
| Indication | Effect as recorded | Certainty | Trials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive performance and neuroprotection | Small randomised trials of intravenous and intranasal glutathione in Parkinson disease reported no significant benefit over placebo on motor endpoints | Low | 1 |
| Biological ageing and healthspan endpoints | No randomised evidence for any ageing endpoint | Very low | 0 |
| Immune modulation and adjunctive immunotherapy | No assessable randomised evidence for immune outcomes | Very low | 0 |
| Effects are reproduced as the contributing trials reported them. Where a confidence interval is held it appears on the per-indication extract rather than in this summary table. | |||
References cited on this page
References are numbered in order of first citation in this document. Each superscript in the text links to its entry below.
- International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. ICH Q6B Specifications: Test Procedures and Acceptance Criteria for Biotechnological/Biological Products. ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline 1999;Step 4 version. identifier not held by the Institute
Identifiers are reproduced only where the Institute holds them. Where a digital object identifier or PubMed identifier is not shown, the Institute has recorded the journal and year and has not constructed an identifier.