Glutathione – an effective anti-inflammatory agent

By Dr. Pravin Banodkar- Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Skin Crest Clinic Mumbai

Glutathione, a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine and glycine, is an antioxidant molecule ubiquitous in most living organisms. Glutathione exists in reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) states. Glutathione plays a cytoprotective role through several mechanisms protecting the cell from oxidant stress. Glutathione has been used in the field of cosmetic/aesthetic dermatology for many years. It is mainly used as a skin lightening agent. GSH is one of the compounds that inhibits melanin production. Another mechanism for the skin whitening effect of GSH is activation of the pheomelanin pathway. Third, the skin whitening effect of GSH is attributed to its antioxidant activity. Taking all these findings into account, the inhibitory action of GSH on melanogenesis is evident. Randomized controlled trials have repeatedly demonstrated the positive effects of glutathione as a skin-whitening agent in oral and topical formulations. Having said, several randomized controlled trials and extensive medical literature on glutathione has shown the safety and efficacy of this medicine as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Glutathione works very well in reducing inflammation in the body via these mechanisms and help in faster healing of inflamed tissue. The anti-inflammatory effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) are exerted through the inhibition of ACE activity, decrease of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and reduction of NF-kB activation. Alterations in the homeostasis of GSH have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, AIDS, liver and heart disease, aging, diabetes mellitus and cancer which are chronic diseases.

In acute inflammatory diseases like COVID-19, raging inflammation and oxidative stress triggered by the viral infection steals GSH from core functions. This adds to the dynamic worsening of the COVID storm. Several pieces of evidence reported suggests that low levels of GSH could be one of the major causes of the excessive inflammatory response linked to severe COVID-19 symptoms and indicate that increasing body GSH could reduce the morbidity of COVID 19 infection. It can play a promising role as an adjunctive treatment of inflammatory COVID 19 infection.

We are all struggling to combat the widespread effects of COVID-19 in this second wave and the ensuing third wave. These revelations about Glutathione, comes as a hope in its immense potential. Only that it needs to be given in an institutional set up by trained doctors and health-care staff monitoring following the best safe practices.