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Glutathione research

What published studies found for Glutathione: 8 papers, 8 in humans, with sample sizes and key results, plus 57 registered clinical trials.

B
Some human evidence
Why: Many small human RCTs with mixed results: modest skin lightening at some sites, one positive nerve-protection trial, and conflicting Parkinson's trials.

Glutathione has been tested in many small human trials (oral, topical, intranasal, IV). Oral doses can raise blood glutathione levels and modestly lighten sun-exposed skin in some trials, IV glutathione reduced cisplatin nerve damage in one cancer trial, and Parkinson's results are weak or no better than placebo. Most trials are small and short; reviews advise against IV use for skin lightening.

✓ 2 positive✗ 1 negative~ 4 mixed? 1 inconclusive

Oral and topical glutathione were well tolerated in short trials; long-term safety, especially of IV use, has not been established.

US compounding: Compounding allowed (Category 1). In 503A Category 1: pharmacies may compound it while FDA evaluates it. Status for every peptide.

Browse and filter these papersGlutathione prices and vendors

Reported side effects

Registered clinical trials

57 trials of Glutathione on ClinicalTrials.gov: 11 active, 36 completed, 6 with posted results. Registered trials include ones that haven't published yet.

TrialStatusPhasePeopleSponsor
Prevent Cardiac Surgery Associated AKI TrialNCT06620523 · started 2024-07-18RecruitingPhase 2242George Washington University
Glucocorticoids for Acute Drug Induced Liver Injury With HyperbilirubinemiaNCT06922669 · started 2025-06-24Recruiting–232General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region
GAIP ASD Research StudyNCT07622316 · started 2026-06-01RecruitingPhase 1100Greater Atlanta Integrative Pediatrics
Adia Med of Winter Park LLC Chronic Kidney Disease Research StudyNCT07572890 · started 2026-05-18RecruitingPhase 1100Adia Med of Winter Park LLC
Adia Med of Winter Park LLC Autism Spectrum Disorder Research StudyNCT07304440 · started 2026-05-01RecruitingPhase 1100Adia Med of Winter Park LLC
Randomized Trial of Glutathione With Anti-PD-1 and Chemotherapy in Advanced NSCLCNCT06896422 · started 2025-06-01RecruitingPhase 180The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid and Glutathione-assisted Microneedling in Treatment of MelasmaNCT07448415 · started 2026-02Not yet recruitingPhase 2, Phase 342Assiut University
Ultrasound-Enhanced Delivery of Compound TXA Solution in MelasmaNCT07202156 · started 2024-10-20Recruiting–35The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University
Efficacy Evaluation Study of Vitamin C and Glutathione Liquid SachetNCT07379216 · started 2026-01-24Recruiting–30TCI Co., Ltd.
Gingival Hyperpigmentation TreatmentNCT07595705 · started 2025-08-01RecruitingPhase 230Cairo University
S-Acetyl Glutathione and Performance Recovery in SoccerNCT07690124 · started 2026-09-01Not yet recruiting–20University of Thessaly
Glutathione in Preventing Peripheral Neuropathy Caused by Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Patients With Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, and/or Primary Peritoneal CancerNCT02311907 · started 2009-12 · results postedCompletedPhase 3195Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology

All 57 Glutathione trials, with countries and recruiting status

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

~ Mixedmeta-analysisExp Ther Med · 2021

Potential use of glutathione as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

n = 450 humansSystematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Meta-analysis of 7 RCTs (450 Parkinson's patients): glutathione mildly improved motor scores (UPDRS III) but not daily-living or mental scores, with no increase in side effects.

Key resultUPDRS III improved with glutathione (SMD -0.48; 95% CI -0.88 to -0.08; P=0.02); UPDRS I and II and side effects did not differ significantly.
Studied
Patients with Parkinson's disease
Compared with
Control groups
Main outcome
UPDRS scores, glutathione peroxidase, side effects
Sample
7 RCTs, 450 participants
Authors' conclusion
Glutathione may mildly improve motor scores in Parkinson's disease without an increase in adverse events. Dosage (300 vs 600 mg) influenced UPDRS III.
PubMed 33376507DOIFree full text
~ Mixedsystematic reviewInt J Dermatol · 2025

Glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review.

Number of included studies not clearly stated; includes 5 RCTs on oral glutathioneSystematic review (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane; past 10 years)

Systematic review of skin-lightening and melasma studies: oral (250-500 mg/day) and topical glutathione gave moderate, localized-to-generalized lightening that faded after stopping; the single placebo-controlled IV study was not significant (37.5% vs 18.7%), and IV use was judged contraindicated.

Key resultOnly one placebo-controlled IV study: 6/16 (37.5%) vs 3 (18.7%) (p0.054).
Studied
Studies of glutathione as a skin-lightening agent and in melasma
Compared with
Placebo or lower doses/other combinations in included trials
Main outcome
Efficacy and safety for skin lightening and melasma
Authors' conclusion
Topical and oral glutathione give moderately efficacious but unsustainable skin lightening. IV glutathione is contraindicated due to lack of efficacy and side effects. It may work more as an antioxidant in melasma.
Limitations
Risk of bias was low in about half the studies and high in the rest.
PubMed 39444151DOI

Human studies

~ Mixedhuman RCTJ Cosmet Dermatol · 2022

The effects of the oral supplementation of L-Cystine associated with reduced L-Glutathione-GSH on human skin pigmentation: a randomized, double-blinded, benchmark- and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

n = 124 humansRandomized, double-blind, parallel-group, benchmark- and placebo-controlled trial12 weeks

Twelve-week trial in 124 Asian women: an oral L-cystine plus glutathione combination lightened skin and shrank dark spots more than placebo and more than glutathione alone.

Key resultL-Cystine plus L-Glutathione gave significant skin lightening at 12 weeks and smaller dark spots at 6 and 12 weeks, better than placebo, cystine alone or glutathione alone (no numbers in abstract).
Studied
Asian women
Compared with
Placebo, L-Cystine alone, reduced L-Glutathione alone
Main outcome
Skin color and facial dark spot size
Sample
124 Asian female subjects in 4 equal groups
Authors' conclusion
Daily 500 mg L-Cystine plus 250 mg L-Glutathione for 12 weeks was a safe, effective way to lighten skin and reduce dark spots in Asian women.
Limitations
Tested as a cystine plus glutathione combination.
PubMed 33834608DOI
✓ Positivehuman RCTEur J Nutr · 2015

Randomized controlled trial of oral glutathione supplementation on body stores of glutathione.

n = 54 humansRandomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of oral GSH 250 or 1,000 mg/day6 months

Six-month trial in 54 healthy adults: oral glutathione (250 or 1,000 mg/day) raised blood and cell glutathione stores by up to 30-35% (260% in cheek cells) vs placebo; levels returned to baseline a month after stopping.

Key resultAt 6 months, high-dose GSH raised levels 30-35% in erythrocytes, plasma and lymphocytes and 260% in buccal cells (P < 0.05).
Studied
Healthy non-smoking adults
Compared with
Placebo
Main outcome
GSH levels in blood, erythrocytes, plasma, lymphocytes and buccal cells
Sample
54 non-smoking adults
Authors' conclusion
Daily oral GSH supplementation effectively increased body compartment stores of GSH.
Limitations
Immune markers measured only in a subset of subjects.
PubMed 24791752DOI
✗ Negativehuman RCTJ Parkinsons Dis · 2017

Phase IIb Study of Intranasal Glutathione in Parkinson's Disease.

n = 45 humansDouble-blind, placebo-controlled phase IIb randomized trial (placebo, 100 mg or 200 mg intranasal GSH thrice daily)3 months plus 1-month washout

Phase IIb trial of intranasal glutathione in 45 people with Parkinson's disease: symptoms improved from baseline in all groups, but neither dose beat placebo over 3 months; one high-dose participant developed cardiomyopathy.

Key resultHigh-dose group improved total UPDRS by -4.6 (4.7), P = 0.0025, but neither treatment group was superior to placebo.
Studied
People with Parkinson's disease, Hoehn & Yahr stage 1-3
Compared with
Intranasal saline placebo
Main outcome
Total UPDRS and motor subscore
Sample
45 individuals with Hoehn & Yahr Stage 1-3 PD
Authors' conclusion
Intranasal GSH was not shown to be superior to placebo at three months; placebo improvement was unusually robust. Symptomatic effects warrant delayed-start or washout designs and larger, longer trials.
Limitations
Small phase IIb trial; one high-dose participant developed cardiomyopathy.
PubMed 28436395DOIFree full text
? Inconclusivehuman RCTActa Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat · 2025

Effectiveness of oral glutathione in reducing nitric oxide and IL-1α concentrations for clinical improvement in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled trial.

n = 40 humansRandomized controlled trial of oral glutathione 500 mg daily4 weeks

Four-week trial in 40 people with mild-to-moderate acne: oral glutathione produced non-significant reductions in inflammatory markers; no adverse reactions reported.

Key resultReductions in serum NO and IL-1α in the glutathione group did not reach significance (p > 0.05); clinical improvement in 7 subjects (31.8%).
Studied
Patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris
Compared with
Placebo
Main outcome
Serum nitric oxide and IL-1α; clinical severity (Lehmann criteria)
Sample
40 subjects (22 glutathione, 18 placebo)
Authors' conclusion
Oral glutathione showed a non-significant trend toward reducing oxidative and nitrosative stress markers and improving acne; further studies are recommended.
Limitations
Small, short trial; results not statistically significant.
PubMed 41014073
✓ Positivehuman RCTJ Clin Oncol · 1995

Neuroprotective effect of reduced glutathione on cisplatin-based chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Fifty patients with advanced gastric cancerRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial15 weeks of treatment assessed

Double-blind trial in 50 gastric cancer patients on cisplatin: IV/IM glutathione markedly reduced chemotherapy-induced nerve damage vs placebo without lowering tumor response.

Key resultAfter the 15th week, 4 of 24 assessable patients in the GSH arm had neurotoxicity vs 16 of 18 in the placebo arm (P = .0001).
Studied
Patients with advanced gastric cancer on weekly cisplatin-based chemotherapy
Compared with
Normal saline placebo
Main outcome
Cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity
Authors' conclusion
GSH appears a promising and effective drug to prevent cisplatin-induced neuropathy and did not reduce the activity of the chemotherapy.
Limitations
Small trial; only 24 and 18 patients assessable at week 15.
PubMed 7799029DOI
~ Mixedhuman RCTJ Dermatolog Treat · 2012

Glutathione as an oral whitening agent: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Sixty healthy medical studentsRandomized, double-blind, two-arm, placebo-controlled study (oral glutathione 500 mg/day)4 weeks

Four-week trial in 60 medical students: oral glutathione 500 mg/day lowered skin melanin more than placebo at only 2 of 6 sites (face and sun-exposed forearm); well tolerated.

Key resultMelanin index fell more than with placebo at two of six sites: right face (p = 0.021) and sun-exposed left forearm (p = 0.036).
Studied
Healthy medical students in Bangkok, Thailand
Compared with
Placebo
Main outcome
Mean reduction of melanin indices at six sites
Authors' conclusion
Oral glutathione lightened skin in a small number of subjects; long-term safety is not established and warrants more extensive trials.
Limitations
4-week study; significant at only two of six sites.
PubMed 20524875DOI

Verdicts are judged on each paper's own main outcome; grades run from A (strong human evidence) to D (little or none). Details are read from the abstracts, and figures are reproduced only from openly licensed full texts. Not medical advice.