Glutathione is a natural reducing agent in the body, easily oxidized to GSSG, thus protecting other substances from oxidation. It can scavenge free radicals in the body, such as hydrogen peroxide and peroxide free radicals, protect the sulfhydryl groups in proteins from oxidation, repair damaged sulfhydryl groups in proteins, restore protein activity, prevent hemolysis, promote the reduction of methemoglobin, and alleviate discomfort caused by hypoxemia, nausea, and liver disease.
Glutathione has a certain detoxifying effect on poisoning by carcinogens such as carbon monoxide (CO), heavy metals, organic solvents, and epoxides, binding to and excreting them from the body. It also protects against leukopenia caused by radiation, radioactive drugs, or antitumor drugs. Furthermore, it detoxifies various carcinogens by aiding liver metabolism, such as aflatoxin.
It can be used to protect the liver and promote liver detoxification, and is commonly used to treat liver diseases such as alcohol poisoning, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver. Long-term use of glutathione can inhibit the formation of alcohol-induced fatty liver.