Lung inflammation medicine Glutathione has been known for its effective immunity generating properties, is one of the most sought-after nutraceuticals. Now the possible role of Glutathione in protecting against severe inflammatory response triggered by COVID-19 infection is being evaluated.
Glutathione (GSH), known also as the master anti-oxidant, has been known for its effective immunity generating properties, making it one of the most sought-after nutraceuticals. However, one of its lesser-known properties, as an anti-inflammatory agent has not been in the focus until now. Research published in international journals are evaluating the possible role of Glutathione in protecting against the severe inflammatory response triggered by COVID-19 infection.
Lung inflammation is by far, the main cause of life-threatening respiratory disorders that occur at the severe stage of SARS-CoV-2 infection. While the pharmacological approach to these, in terms of anti-viral drugs, have shown limited efficacy in severe conditions, several studies reported that low levels of GSH could be one of the major causes of the excessive inflammatory response linked to severe COVID-19 symptoms and indicate that increasing body GSH could reduce the number of symptomatic patients. Based on research studies, addition of Oral and intravenous glutathione may represent a new treatment approach to block NF-κB and control “cytokine storm syndrome” in patients with COVID-19-derived pneumonia.
The novel coronavirus is affecting everyone differently. Co-morbidities, diabetes, high blood pressure, ageing and such occurrences can result into cytokine storms triggered by the virus that could result into near-death or fatalities from acute respiratory distress syndrome. GSH – a reduced molecular compound of Glutathione, is effective in combatting the oxidative stress and the inflammation brought on by the cellular attack of the virus. GSH works on reducing the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) – the main agents of destruction on the cellular level that are responsible for the breakdown and spread of the infection.
The ROS cause the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, which is at the core of some of the most fatal respiratory infections brought on by COVID, and peculiar to SARS. GSH has been known to play a central role in the immune response, protection and healing, at cellular levels, by reducing the oxidative stress and establishing a balance by destroying the ROS, thus showcasing immense potential as an adjunct in management of SARS and COVID-19 induced infections, especially the lung infections, and co-morbid complications arising from diabetes, and other age-related diseases.
Glutathione has been used in dermatology through oral, topical, and intravenous route for many years. Several randomized controlled trials and extensive medical literature on glutathione has shown the safety and efficacy of this medicine as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The expected clinical benefits of Glutathione are to help control pulmonary epithelial oxidants, improvement in lung functioning, increased O2 saturation, controlling of pulmonary infection, thereby reducing the risk of SARSCoV-2 infection. Review of literature supports the use of this medicine in many systemic inflammatory diseases as an adjuvant in the line of therapy.
Various GSH replenishing molecules such as N-acetyl cysteine have already been used in COVID 19 management and a line of treatment like this could aim at reducing the recovery time in patients, thereby helping the over stressed infrastructure and inducing rapid recovery. Needless to say, these new revelations open up a whole new domain of nutraceutical applications in serious disease treatment, as against its current role as just a preventive, immunity booster.
We are all struggling to combat a record surge in infections and fatalities with this second wave and this revelation brings immense hope and potential. India’s health R&D infra is working day & night on various angles to curb, kill, combat the virus and with a focussed approach, there are avenues being opened. We are understanding the virus better and thereby understanding the various ways of protecting us from it. World over it is acknowledged that the body’s strong immune ammo would be advantageous and Glutathione, does just that! Only that, it needs to be given in an institutional set up by trained doctors and health-care staff monitoring following the best safe practices.
Dr. Anish Desai
Director – Strategic Medical Affairs
Adroit Biomed Ltd., Mumbai
