Evangeline B. Handog
Chair, Department of Dermatology Asian Hospital and Medical Center Philippines
Title: Glutathione as a Skin Lightening Agent: Hot Issues on Safety and Efficacy
Biography
Biography: Evangeline B. Handog
Abstract
Nowadays, skin lightening merchandise is obtainable in the form of creams, pills, soaps or lotions. Sad to note that most are experience based and not evidence based.
Mechanisms to achieve skin lightening include tyrosinase, peroxide inhibition, scavenging of reactive oxygen species and the use of agents against melanogenic inflammatory response. However, the mainstay of skin lightening is of course the regular use of sunscreens.
Glutathione is an ubiquitous compound containing a biologically active sulfhydryl (SH) group found in our bodies. Fruits and vegetables are good dietary sources of glutathione.
Glutathione as a master antioxidant, helps promote skin whitening. Acting as a primary anti-aging factor, it promotes a longer and healthier life, protects us from harmful free radical damage, supports the immune function, acts as a gate keeper for lungs and gut, detoxifies the body of noxious chemicals, helps to protect against alcohol, tobacco damage and abuse. It can regenerate spent vitamins C & E in the body.
Until recently, the mechanism of action of Glutathione as a skin whitening agent was unknown.
- direct inactivation of the enzyme tyrosinase by binding with the copper-containing active site of the enzyme
- mediating the switch mechanism from eumelanin to phaeomelanin production
- quenching of free radicals and peroxides that contribute to tyrosinase activation and melanin Formation
- modulation of depigmenting abilities of melanocytotoxic agents. These concepts supported by the various experimental evidence presented form basis for future research in the use of glutathione in the treatment of pigmentary disorders.
Hot issues on IV Glutathione, push or drip, topical route will be dispelled.
Handog EB, Datuin MSL, Singzon IA, did an open-label, single-arm trial of 30 Filipino females (Fitzpatrick skin types IV or V) receiving a glutathione-containing lozenge daily for eight weeks. The authors found a signiï¬cant decrease in melanin indices from baseline to end point. No serious adverse events, and laboratory examination ï¬ndings remained normal.