Glutathione is an antioxidant that exists in cells in reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) forms. It plays a key role in protecting against oxidative stress and free radicals. GSH levels naturally decline with age, contributing to signs of aging. Glutathione may reduce skin aging by combating UV-induced oxidative stress and inhibiting tyrosinase to reduce melanin production, though more research is needed to verify its skin lightening effects. While glutathione supplements may provide some benefits, their ability to significantly lighten skin is limited.

1. ROLE OF GLUTATHIONE IN
AGING AND SKIN LIGHTENING
DR SAIRA NIAZI
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, DERMATOLOGY

2. INTRODUCTION
 Glutathione (γ-glutamyl-cysteinylglycine) is a
small, low-molecular weight, water-soluble
thiol-tripeptide
 present in almost all living cells ranging from
bacteria to mammals.
 It was discovered 130 years ago in baker’s
yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
 Initially named as “philothion

3.  formed by three amino acids
(glutamate, cysteine and glycine).[1]
 It is a ubiquitous compound with a
biologically active sulfhydryl group
 This sulfhydryl group allows for interaction
with a variety of biochemical systems, hence
the abbreviation “GSH” for its active form.
 Glutathione is one of the most active
antioxidant systems in human physiology.[3]

4. Biological activity: The
glutathione redox cycle
 Glutathione exists in two interconvertible forms,
reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized
glutathione (GSSG).
 GSH is the predominant intracellular form,
which acts as a strong antioxidant and defends
against toxic compounds and xenobiotics. In this
process, GSH is constantly oxidized to GSSG by
the enzyme glutathione peroxidase
 To maintain the intracellular redox balance, GSH
is replenished through the reduction of GSSG by
glutathione reductase enzyme.

7. BENEFITS
 Glutathione is a critical molecule for our health
and well being. a master antioxidant.
 Protects our cells and DNA from damage caused
by oxidative stress and free radicals.
 Helps optimize and maintain our immune
systems.
 Plays an important role in helping our bodies
detox from substances like heavy metals and
other toxins.
 Protects and assists the powerhouse of our cells
(the mitochondria) to produce energy.

8. Glutathione for skin
Effects on the Skin
 Prevents the aging of the skin.
 Reduces hyperpigmentation.
Its use as a skin-lightening agent is still controversial
as there are not enough studies supporting this property.
 Effects on the Body:
 Protects the body against harmful toxins.
 Helps in the detoxification of the body.
 Regenerate vitaminsC and E.
 Improves immunity.

9. The factors that lead to
depletion of glutathione
 includes natural ageing process,
 external stress factors
chronic exposure to chemical toxins,
alcohol use, smoking, pollution,
dietary factors, ultraviolet (UV) radiation
exposure, tissue injury as from burns,
ischemia, septic shock, surgery,
drugs

11. Role of glutathione in
aging
 Skin ageing can be “extrinsic” or “intrinsic.”
 UV irradiation results in extrinsic ageing.
deep wrinkles and irregular pigmentation.
The process of skin aging is accelerated by the
intracellular and extracellular oxidative stress.

12.  Glutathione, because of its antioxidant effect,
is effective in reducing the photo-induced
aging of the skin.

13. OXIDATIVE STRESS
 Many human physiological processes generate
unstable and highly reactive chemical molecules
 reactive oxygen species (ROS)
 reactive nitrogen species (RNS).
 When production of reactive molecules with
oxidizing properties overwhelms the cellular
antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress occurs,
 resulting in molecular and cellular tissue
damage and severe metabolic malfunction and
pathological conditions and aging

15.  To prevent radical-mediated toxicity,
specific enzymes and low molecular weight
substances such as
glutathione (GSH) and other antioxidants
eliminate reactive species and help maintain
cellular redox balance.

16.  As we age, glutathione levels naturally
decline in our bodies. Many of the common
signs of aging and chronic conditions are
associated with decreased levels of
glutathione.
 By supplementing with glutathione and
following healthy lifestyle practices we can
potentially slow down aging in our bodies.

17. Natural Sources of
Glutathione
 Green vegetables.
 Orange.
 Walnuts.
 Tomatoes.
 Fruits.
 Whey proteins.

18. Glutathione and Human
Pigmentation
The pigment responsible for skin color is Melanin.
a polymer of various indole compounds
synthesized from L-tyrosine
 The ratio of the two different types of melanin found
in skin,
 black-brown colored eumelanin and
 yellow-red pheomelanin,
determines the skin colour.
 ]An increased proportion of pheomelanin is
associated with lighter skin coloUR

21.  Exposure to ultraviolet radiation
most mportant factor that causes
undesirable hyperpigmentation.
 generation of excessive amounts of reactive
oxygen and nitrogen species within the cells
which cause enhanced tyrosinase activity
 Oral antioxidants partially reduce
melanogenesis by suppressing these free
radicals.

22. Postulated effects of
glutathione on pigmentation
 The role of glutathione as a skin-lightening
agent was an accidental discovery when skin
lightening was noticed as a side effect of
large doses of glutathione.
 Various mechanisms for the hypopigmentary
effect of glutathione have been proposed,
with inhibition of tyrosinase being the most
important

25. Summary
 Glutathione was primarily used for the
treatment of certain disorders
 over a period of time, its other properties,
such as anti-aging and anti melanogenic,
were discovered.
 Since then, it has been endorsed as a skin-
whitening agent in the cosmetic industry.
 It is available in oral, parenteral and topical
forms

26.  It should be noted that not much reliable
information supports its safe use as a skin-
lightening agent.
 .The mechanism of action favours its
potential as a skin lightening agent.
 Only few randomized controlled trials have
been conducted so far but with short term
follow-up periods

27. limitations
 It has a limited skin lightening effect ,that is
short-lived.
 The specific dose and duration of these products
are not defined yet.
 It can not make a drastic change in skin color and
can not change the skin color completely.
 does not have a universal effect on every skin
type. It can show results in some patients.
 It is very expensive as well.Therefore not every
individual can afford it.

28.  Long-term use of glutathione has been
reported with side effects.
 More randomized, double-blind, placebo-
controlled trials with larger sample size, long-
term follow-up and well-defined efficacy
outcomes are warranted to establish the
relevance of this molecule in disorders of
hyperpigmentation and skin lightening.