Glutathione also referred as GSH, is a molecule found naturally in the body. It is produced by liver as well as neurons in the central nervous system. It is composed of three amino acids involve L-cysteine, glycine, and L-glutamate. In addition, glutathione is an antioxidant. It is involved in metabolism of toxins and carcinogens, DNA synthesis and repair, protein and prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport, and enzyme activation. Reduced glutathione is found in high concentrations in cellular systems and plays a pivotal role in detoxification of various electrophilic compounds. Deficiency of glutathione puts the cell at risk for oxidative damage. Also, glutathione is reported to be protective against damage to human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.

Growth Factors

Glutathione possess clinical benefits for the treatment

With respect to cancer, GSH plays a dual role in its progression. Its pivotal role involves removal and detoxification of carcinogens, and alterations in this pathway have a positive influence on cell survival. The elevated levels of GSH in tumor cells are able to protect such cells in bone marrow, breast, colon, larynx, and lung cancer by offering resistance to several chemotherapeutic drugs. As per the facts revealed by the Annals of Oncology, glutathione offers protection from the toxic effects of cisplatin. Further, it states that the patients receiving GSH have shown significant improvement in depression, emesis, peripheral neurotoxicity, hair loss, and shortness of breath.

Positive results of glutathione towards COVID-19 pandemic bolster the market growth of glutathione market globally

As per the ACS Publications, higher levels of glutathione improve an individual’s responsiveness to viral infections. Particularly, glutathione is known to protect host immune cells through its antioxidant mechanism coupled with variety of cells that are part of the immune system. Endogenous glutathione deficiency is a crucial factor that enhances COVID-19 induced oxidative damage of the lung resulting in serious manifestation such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, multi organ failure, and death due to COVID-19. Furthermore, hypothesis offer insights into etiology and mechanisms responsible for serious manifestation of COVID-19 infection and justifies promising opportunities for effective treatment associated with prevention and illness through glutathione. Since the antiviral effect of glutathione is non-specific, there is a reason to believe that glutathione shows promising results against COVID-19. 

Glutathione is skin care products bolster the growth of glutathione market globally

Glutathione is a potent antioxidant that is widely used in skin care products for skin lightening. It is specially used more in Asian markets. Currently, there was only one study of topical 2% oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in Pilipino women. In Philippines, intravenous glutathione treatments are very popular in spas and beauty salons. Also, the Philippine food and drug agency has condemned the use of intravenous glutathione for skin lightening pinpointing that the treatment is only approved for certain medical conditions.

Furthermore, studies revealed by the PAGEPress, states that skin care products containing GSH 0.1% and 0.5% were effective in facial skin lightening. Additionally, glutathione is used in skin care products owing to their skin brightening qualities. This is because glutathione helps in preventing excess melanin production in the skin. The free radicals present in the glutathione helps in fighting melanin production within the skin. Surging demand for glutathione for the manufacturing of lotions, creams, and soaps is a prominent factor that spurs the market growth of the glutathione market globally. Moreover, rising awareness among consumer base and increasing disposable income are other factors that fuel the demand for glutathione in skin care products by the manufacturers.

Segmental Analysis

The global glutathione market is segmented based on the product type and end-user. By product type, the market is bifurcated into reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). By end-user industry, the market is segmented as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, health products, food, and others.

Reduced glutathione is expected to hold significant revenue in the forecast period. It is anticipated that reduced glutathione will surpass US$ 150 Mn by recording a significant CAGR of 6.8% in the forecast period. This is highly supported owing to the capability and sustainability to prevent harmful side effects of chemotherapy to cancer patients. As per the National Cancer Institute (NCI), it has been hypothesized that glutathione antioxidant related properties might be able to protect against cancer because they neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can damage DNA. Apart from that, the Journal of Cell Biology, GSH preserves sufficient levels of cysteine and detoxifies xenobiotics while also conferring therapeutic resistance to cancer cells. Targeted GSH synthesis/utilization, therefore, represents a potential means of rendering tumor cells that are more susceptible to different treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.  Therefore, rising burden of cancer across the globe propels the growth of the reduced glutathione segment due to its sustainability to prevent harmful side effects of chemotherapy to cancer patients.

Regional Analysis

Based on the regions, North America is projected to hold maximum share in the global glutathione market. This is associated due to rising applications of glutathione in several industries involving cosmetic, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Early adoption of techniques in this region further contributes to drive the glutathione market. Also, the demand for manufacturing drugs is high due to presence of prominent players in this region. Due to presence of prominent player’s respective to pharmaceutical manufacturer there are lucrative opportunities for glutathione market to grow in this region.

On the other hand, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a fast pace by recording significant CAGR in the forecast period. This is highly supported due to big pool of cosmetic manufacturers present in this region manufacturing skin lotion, creams, by utilizing glutathione as a key material. This is considered as one of the stimulating factors contributing the growth of APAC regional market for glutathione.

Competitive Landscape

Global glutathione industry consists of various major players including Kyowa Hakko Bio Co. Ltd., Nissor Pharmaceuticals, GSH Bio-tech Co., Ltd., KOHJIN Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Kaiping Genuine Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and among others.

Market Segmentation

Market By Product Type

Reduced Glutathione (GSH) 
Oxidized Glutathione (GSSG) 

Market By End-User

Pharmaceuticals
Cosmetics
Health Products 
Food
Others

Market By Geography

North America
•    U.S.
•    Canada

Europe
•    U.K.
•    Germany
•    France
•    Spain
•    Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific
•    China
•    Japan
•    India
•    Australia
•    South Korea
•    Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America
•    Brazil 
•    Mexico
•    Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa
•    GCC
•    South Africa
•    Rest of Middle East & Africa