Study wrapper · #1002
Exploring the Safety and Efficacy of Glutathione Supplementation for Skin Lightening: A Narrative Review.
Alzahrani TF, Alotaibi SM, Alzahrani AA, et al. Cureus. 2025.
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78045PubMed: 40013212
Editor's note
A narrative review with glutathione as its central subject across skin-lightening routes. It reports depigmenting activity but flags serious safety concerns with intravenous use, including anaphylaxis and hepatotoxicity, and a lack of standardized dosing. The authors call for large, rigorous trials before routine use.
Plain-language abstract
This review evaluates oral, topical, and intravenous glutathione for skin lightening, finding variable benefit and notable safety concerns with the intravenous route.
Related coverage
Weak / none
Preconditioning and supplementation with glutathione ameliorates oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and restores metabolic imbalance in insulin-resistant myotubes.
Biochemical and biophysical research communicationsn=——2026
Mixed
A review of the potential benefits and limitations of oral glutathione supplementation.
Inflammopharmacologyn=——2026
Mixed
Efficacy and Safety of Glutathione Supplementation in Type 2 Diabetes & Diabetes Complications.
Nutrientsn=——2026