Glutathione (GSH)

Another name: γ-Glutamylcysteinylglycine;
(2S)-2-Amino-5-({(2R)-1-[(carboxymethyl)amino]-
1-oxo-3-sulfanylpropan-2-yl}amino)
-5-oxopentanoic acid

CAS Number: 70-18-8
ChEBI：16856
ChEMBL: ChEMBL1543
Chemical formula: C10H17N3O6S
Appearance: White powder
Molar mass:307.32 g·mol−1
Density: 1.448 g/cm³ g/cm3
Melting point:195 °C (383 °F; 468 K)
Solubility: Soluble in water
Flash point: 411.272°C

Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant in plants, animals, fungi, and some bacteria and archaea. Glutathione is capable of preventing damage to important cellular components caused by sources such as reactive oxygen species, free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals. It is a tripeptide with a gamma peptide linkage between the carboxyl group of the glutamate side chain and cysteine. The carboxyl group of the cysteine residue is attached by normal peptide linkage to glycine. Glutathione is a subunit of glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase, as well as a coenzyme of glyoxalase and phosphotriose dehydrogenase. It participates in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and sugar metabolism, enabling the body to obtain high energy. It can activate SH enzymes, such as cholinesterase (related to allergic diseases), to protect from the toxicity of heavy metals and epoxy compounds. It can promote the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, while also controlling the metabolic process of cells, and has radiation protection and inhibition of melanin deposition.