L-Glutathione (γ-L-Glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine, GSH)
Description (Data-Driven)
L-Glutathione (γ-L-Glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine, GSH) is a tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, serving as the most abundant intracellular antioxidant in humans and many organisms48. It exists in two forms:
Reduced (GSH): The active antioxidant state (~90% in healthy cells)
Oxidized (GSSG): The dimerized, inactive form (~10%, recycled back to GSH via glutathione reductase)
Key Biochemical Properties
Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₇N₃O₆S
Molecular Weight: 307.32 g/mol
Solubility:
Water: Highly soluble (50 mg/mL at 25°C)
Ethanol: Slightly soluble
Insoluble in nonpolar solvents (e.g., ether, chloroform)
Natural Sources & Extraction
Plant Sources: Spinach (100–200 mg/100g), avocado (25–50 mg/100g), asparagus (15–30 mg/100g)8
Extraction Methods:
Cold-water extraction (preserves GSH integrity)
Enzymatic hydrolysis (improves yield from plant tissues)
Membrane filtration (removes heavy metals & impurities)
Biosynthetic Pathway
GSH synthesis occurs via two ATP-dependent enzymatic steps:
γ-Glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCL)
Km: 1.8 mM for glutamate
Inhibited by GSH (feedback regulation)
Glutathione synthetase (GS)
Km: 0.3 mM for γ-Glu-Cys
Requires Mg²⁺ as cofactor
Benefits
✔ Powerful Antioxidant – Neutralizes free radicals & oxidative stress
✔ Detoxification – Binds & eliminates heavy metals & toxins
✔ Skin Health – Reduces pigmentation & supports collagen synthesis
✔ Liver Protection – Enhances detox enzyme activity
✔ Immune Boost – Strengthens white blood cell function
Applications
Nutraceuticals: Capsules (100–500 mg/day), liposomal forms for better absorption
Cosmeceuticals: Anti-aging serums, skin-brightening creams
Functional Foods: Fortified beverages, detox shots
Medical Research: Investigated for neuroprotection, anti-cancer, and anti-aging effects
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