Glutathione: A Tripeptide with Functions Beyond Antioxidant Activity

Abstract

Glutathione, a ubiquitous tripeptide composed of glutamate, cysteine, and glycine, is traditionally recognized as the principal intracellular antioxidant. However, accumulating evidence reveals that its biological significance extends far beyond redox homeostasis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of glutathione’s multifunctional roles, including detoxification, signal transduction, gene regulation, immune modulation, protein modification, and metabolic integration. Additionally, its involvement in disease pathophysiology and therapeutic potential is discussed. Understanding these broader functions is critical for advancing biomedical research and clinical interventions targeting glutathione metabolism.