GSH, as an important metabolic regulator in cells, serves as both a cofactor for glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase and a coenzyme for glyoxal and glucose dehydrogenase. It participates in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glucose metabolism in the body, and can activate various enzymes such as thiol (SH) enzyme coenzyme, thereby promoting carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

The characteristic of GSH molecule is its active thiol group (- SH), which is the most important functional group and can participate in various important biochemical reactions in the body. It protects important enzyme protein thiol groups from oxidation and inactivation, ensuring energy metabolism and cellular utilization. At the same time, it can directly reduce free radicals into acidic substances by binding with thiol groups in the body, thereby accelerating the excretion of free radicals and combating the damage of free radicals to important organs. Haddad et al. found that GSH is involved in the regulation of cytokine transcription induced by lipopolysaccharides and the regulation of the I-KB/NF-KB signaling pathway. Armstrong et al. found that the decrease in GSH content is a potential early activation signal for apoptosis, and the subsequent generation of oxygen free radicals promotes cell apoptosis.