GlutathionevsCartalax

Molecular Formula

C₁₀H₁₇N₃O₆S

Molecular Weight

307.33 g/mol

Half-Life

Very short in blood — roughly 2 to 10 minutes as intact glutathione; tissue pools turn over more slowly

Bioavailability

Low by mouth — intact glutathione is largely broken down in the gut by gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; liposomal, intranasal, IV and inhaled routes bypass this

CAS Number

70-18-8

Molecular Formula

C₁₂H₁₉N₃O₈

Molecular Weight

333.3 g/mol

Half-Life

Short plasma half-life typical of tripeptides (minutes to hours); biological effects persist for weeks to months through epigenetic gene regulation; metabolized to constituent amino acids

Bioavailability

Orally bioavailable via intestinal peptide transporters (PepT1/PepT2, LAT1); 10-fold more potent than crude cartilage polypeptide complex at chondrogenic activation (200 vs 2000 ng/mL effective concentration)

CAS Number

Not yet registered (research compound)

Common

• Generally well tolerated
• Unpleasant smell or taste

Uncommon

• Mild stomach upset, bloating or loose stools
• Transient cough

Serious

• Bronchospasm (airway tightening) in asthma

Common

• Mild injection site reaction
• Mild GI discomfort
• Mild fatigue
• Transient joint stiffness

Uncommon

• Temporary increase in joint discomfort

Serious

• No documented serious adverse effects

Evidence Level

Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)

FDA Status

Sold as a dietary supplement; not FDA-approved as a drug. IV and inhaled uses are off-label/compounded.

Safety Overview

Glutathione has a reassuring safety record in studies. Taken by mouth at 250–1,000 mg a day for 6 months, people had no significant side effects [2], and IV glutathione at 1,400 mg three times a week was well tolerated with no safety concerns [1]. The clearest warning is for the inhaled form: in people with mild asthma, nebulized glutathione triggered coughing and airway tightening, likely from sulfite sensitivity [5].

Contraindications

• xKnown allergy to glutathione or a product ingredient
• xAsthma — inhaled/nebulized forms can trigger airway tightening, especially in sulfite-sensitive people

Evidence Level

Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)

FDA Status

Research compound

Safety Overview

Cartalax (polypeptide complex from bovine cartilage) has not undergone formal FDA approval or rigorous clinical safety trials. The safety profile is based on traditional use in Russia and Eastern Europe as a cartilage extract supplement, with limited published safety data. As a complex mixture of polypeptides, collagens, and proteoglycans, the actual active components and their pharmacology are undefined, making toxicity prediction impossible. Potential allergic reactions to bovine proteins exist, and contamination risks from source animal tissues cannot be ruled out without pharmaceutical manufacturing standards.

Contraindications

• xKnown hypersensitivity to peptide bioregulators or constituent amino acids (alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid)
• xPregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data
• xActive joint infection — treat infection before initiating peptide bioregulator therapy
• xMalignant bone or cartilage tumors — proliferative effects of peptide bioregulators may be contraindicated