Essentialle Glutatione Hesperidin

Glutathione exists in reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) states. In the reduced state, the thiol group of cysteine is able to donate a to other unstable molecules, such as reactive oxygen species. In donating an electron, glutathione itself becomes reactive, but readily reacts with another reactive glutathione to form (GSSG). Such a reaction is possible due to the relatively high concentration of glutathione in cells (up to 5 mM in the liver). GSH can be regenerated from GSSG by the enzyme .

In healthy cells and tissue, more than 90% of the total glutathione pool is in the reduced form (GSH) and less than 10% exists in the disulfide form (GSSG). An increased GSSG-to-GSH ratio is considered indicative of oxidative stress.

Glutathione has multiple functions:

• It is the major endogenous antioxidant produced by the cells, participating directly in the neutralization of free radicals and reactive oxygen compounds, as well as maintaining exogenous antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in their reduced (active) forms.
• Through direct conjugation, it detoxifies many xenobiotics (foreign compounds) and carcinogens, both organic and inorganic.
• It is essential for the immune system to exert its full potential, e.g. (1) modulating antigen presentation to lymphocytes, thereby influencing cytokine production and type of response (cellular or humoral) that develops, (2) enhancing proliferation of lymphocytes thereby increasing magnitude of response, (3) enhancing killing activity of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, and (4) regulating apoptosis, thereby maintaining control of the immune response.
• It plays a fundamental role in numerous metabolic and biochemical reactions such as DNA synthesis and repair, protein synthesis, prostaglandin synthesis, amino acid transport and enzyme activation. Thus, every system in the body can be affected by the state of the glutathione system, especially the immune system, the nervous system, the gastrointestinal system and the lungs.[

Hesperidin is a () (C28H34O15) found abundantly in fruits. Its form is called . Its name is derived from the nymphs of Greek mythology. Hesperidin is believed to play a role in defense. It acts as an according to in vitro human nutrition it contributes to the integrity of the blood vessels.

Various preliminary studies reveal novel pharmaceutical properties. Hesperidin reduced cholesterol and blood pressure in rats. In a mouse study large doses of the glucoside hesperidin decreased bone density loss.Another animal study showed protective effects against sepsis. Hesperidin has anti-inflammatory effects.. Hesperidin is also a , possibly acting through or .white needle, melting point 252-254 some in vitro results applied only to the aglucone form. Hesperidin also showed the ability to penetrate the blood brain barrier in an in vitro model.

The phytochemical hesperidin is mainly found in citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges. The highest concentration of hesperidin can be found in the white parts and pulps of the citrus peels. Hesperidin can also be found in green vegetables.

Hesperidin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, vasoprotective and anticarcinogenic and cholesterol lowering actions. Hesperdin can inhibit following enzymes: phospholipase A2, lipoxygenase, HMG-CoA reductase and cyclo-oxygenase.

Hesperidin improves the health of capillaries by reducing the capillary permeability.

Hesperidin is used to reduce hay fever and other allergic conditions by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells. The possible anti-cancer activity of hesperidin could be explained by the inhibition of polyamine synthesis.

A study 'Hesperidin, a citrus flavonoids, inhibits bone loss and decreases serum and hepatic lipids in ovariectomized mice' by Hiroshige Chiba et al (J. Nutrition, June 2003) showed that hesperidin added to the died not only lowered serum and hepatic cholesterol, but also inhibited bone loss by decreasing osteoclast number in ovariectomized mice. The molecular mechanism of the inhibitory effect of hesperidin on bone resorption is not clear.