Open AccessThe Role of Glutathione as a Bleaching Agent in Whitening Skin: A Review
Author(s) -
Zainab Abdul- Nabi,
Noor Mohammed-Jawad
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
iraqi national journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2664-7524
pISSN - 2664-7516
DOI - 10.37319/iqnjm.4.1.14
Subject(s) - glutathione , lotion , medicine , pharmacology , placebo , antioxidant , dermatology , chemistry , pathology , biochemistry , enzyme , alternative medicine
Objective: To review and compare the efficacy of glutathione formulations as skin-whitening agents in adults participating in several clinical studies.Methods: Using a MEDLINE search with the time frame specified up to March 2020 , seven clinical studies involving GSH use for lightening the skin were recognized and assessed for significance and validity.Results: Four controlled clinical trials (GSH capsules: 60 healthy volunteers; 250 mg oral GSH capsules:60; 2% glutathione lotion: 30s healthy volunteers; GSH as wash:74 healthy volunteers) and a case series(GSH lozenges: 30 patients) showed a significant reduction in melanin index. A case series (GSH soap: 15 patients) revealed a skin-lightening effect based on photography. Only one placebo-controlled study on IV GSH (1200 mg) in 60 healthy volunteers demonstrated a poor effect of glutathione as a whitening agent.Conclusion: The literature search revealed that glutathione is not useful enough as a skin-whitening agent, as it is only effective on some parts of the skin and did not present any long-lasting effect. Although the safety profile of topical and oral glutathione seemed to be good, long-term research studies employing better study design are required in order to evaluate the efficacy of this antioxidant.