Glutathione

What is glutathione?

Glutathione (GSH) is a tripeptide formed from glutamate, cysteine and glycine, with the sequence gamma-Glu-Cys-Gly. Its molecular formula is C10H17N3O6S and its molecular weight is 307.33 g/mol (CAS 70-18-8). It is the principal endogenous low-molecular-weight thiol in cells and is the reduced form, sometimes written as L-glutathione reduced. Kovalabs supplies it as a lyophilised solid for laboratory research.

The free thiol on the cysteine residue makes glutathione a common reference reagent in redox biochemistry. It is distinct from its oxidised dimer (GSSG); this product is the reduced monomer. It is a tripeptide, not a steroid, hormone or vitamin, and is catalogued in our cellular research range.

Is glutathione legal in the UK?

Glutathione is not a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and is not scheduled. Kovalabs supplies it strictly as a research chemical for in-vitro and laboratory use, not for human or veterinary consumption and not as a food supplement, cosmetic or medicine. It is not a licensed medicinal product. Purchasers are responsible for compliance with the applicable rules in their jurisdiction. Full terms are set out in our research disclaimer.

How is identity and quality assured?

Every batch is released after independent identity and purity testing. Purity is assessed by HPLC at 99% or higher, and identity is confirmed by HPLC retention-time matching (HPLC-RTM) against a reference standard and against the published identifiers: CAS 70-18-8, PubChem CID 124886, and InChIKey RWSXRVCMGQZWBV-WDSKDSINSA-N. Not all material sold under the glutathione name is the same grade, which is why a batch-specific certificate of analysis matters. Documentation is published on our certificates of analysis page.

What does the research on glutathione investigate?

The published literature investigates glutathione in cellular redox balance, glutathione-dependent conjugation chemistry, and oxidative-stress model systems, almost all of it in in-vitro or animal settings. None of this establishes a benefit, effect or outcome in humans, and glutathione is not a licensed medicine. We do not make therapeutic, cosmetic or supplement claims. The mechanistic and study-design detail is covered in our glutathione research monograph.

Synthesis and supply

Glutathione is supplied as a lyophilised white to off-white powder. For bench work it is reconstituted in a suitable research solvent such as bacteriostatic water, which Kovalabs also stocks. Store the lyophilised solid at -20C, kept dry and protected from light; hold reconstituted material at 2-8C. Researchers comparing thiol and redox reference materials also order NAD, SS-31 and Epithalon. For laboratory research use only; not for human or veterinary use.