Ozonated glycerine is a compound formed by infusing glycerine with ozone gas and has a history that spans over a century, evolving from early experimentation to modern therapeutic applications. Below is a synopsis of its development, from the era of Charles Marchand to Japanese patents in 2004 and beyond, culminating in the current understanding and uses in 2025.

Early History: Charles Marchand Era (Late 19th Century)

Charles Marchand, a French chemist and entrepreneur based in the United States, was a pioneer in the commercial application of ozonated compounds in the late 19th century. Marchand is best known for his work with hydrogen peroxide and ozone-based products, which he marketed through his company, the Chemical Manufacturing Company of New York. His flagship product, “Glycozone,” introduced around the 1880s, was a solution of ozonated glycerine promoted as a disinfectant and healing agent for wounds, infections, and various ailments.

• Glycozone and Early Claims: Marchand claimed Glycozone was created by passing ozone gas through glycerine, resulting in a stable compound with antiseptic and oxidative properties. It was marketed as a topical treatment for burns, ulcers, and infections, and even as an oral remedy for digestive disorders. Advertisements touted its ability to deliver oxygen to tissues, leveraging the era’s fascination with oxygen-based therapies.
• Scientific Context: At the time, ozone was gaining attention for its germicidal properties, discovered in the mid-19th century. Marchand’s work capitalized on this, though his claims often outstripped scientific evidence. Glycozone’s composition was not rigorously studied, and its efficacy relied heavily on anecdotal reports.
• Limitations: The lack of standardized production methods and analytical tools in Marchand’s era meant that the stability and active components of ozonated glycerine were poorly understood. Glycozone fell out of favour by the early 20th century as.

Mid-20th Century: Dormancy and Emerging Ozone Research

Following Marchand’s era, ozonated glycerine largely faded from prominence, overshadowed by advances in antibiotics and the pharmaceutical industry. However, ozone therapy continued to be explored in niche medical communities, particularly in Europe, for its antimicrobial and oxidative effects.

• Ozone Therapy Developments: In the early 20th century, researchers like Otto Warburg investigated oxygen’s role in cellular metabolism, indirectly supporting interest in ozone-based treatments. Ozone was used in water purification and experimental medical applications, but glycerine as a carrier was rarely mentioned.
• Lack of Focus on Glycerine: Unlike ozonated oils (e.g., olive oil), which gained traction in dermatology, ozonated glycerine remained understudied. Its potential was limited by the instability of ozone and the challenge of maintaining its activity in a stable form.

Japanese Research and Patents (2004)

The modern era of ozonated glycerine began in 2004 with significant contributions from Japanese researchers, who developed stable formulations and filed key patents, marking a resurgence of interest in the compound.

• 2004 Japanese Study: A pivotal study by Niinomi et al., published in the Journal of Showa University Dental Society, titled “The Bactericidal Effects of Ozone Gel,” demonstrated that ozonated glycerine exhibited strong bactericidal effects against various pathogens. The study showed that higher ozone concentrations were more effective and that the compound retained its activity for up to two months at room temperature, a significant improvement over ozonated water’s 40-minute half-life.
• 2005 Patent (WO2005079818A1): Filed by Vmc Co., Ltd., this patent described a glycerol solution containing at least 400 ppm of dissolved ozone in a non-oxidizing glycerol base (≥75% concentration). The solution was designed to maintain a high ozone concentration for extended periods, exhibiting bactericidal and wound-healing effects without forming harmful peroxides. The patent also outlined methods to reduce glycerin’s skin irritation by mixing it with water, vaseline, or polyethylene glycol, and proposed a solidified form of ozonated glycerine for clinical use.
• Significance: These developments established ozonated glycerine as a stable, versatile delivery system for ozone’s oxidative properties, overcoming the short half-life of gaseous ozone or ozonated water. The focus was primarily on wound healing and antimicrobial applications, building on Marchand’s early ideas but with rigorous scientific backing.

Japanese Patents and Advancements (2004–2024)

Over the next two decades, Japanese researchers and companies continued to refine ozonated glycerin’s applications, with additional patents and studies expanding its scope.

• 2011 Patent (JP2011042689A): This patent, an extension of the 2005 work, reiterated the use of ozonated glycerine solutions (≥400 ppm ozone in ≥75% glycerol) for germicidal and wound-healing purposes. It emphasized long-term stability and the absence of toxic peroxides, further refining production and storage methods.
• Research Expansion: Studies explored ozonated glycerin’s safety and efficacy. For example, Wang et al. (2011) confirmed its safety for skin, eyes, and oral mucosa, while Fukui et al. (2014) demonstrated its antimicrobial effects against periodontal bacteria. A 2021 study by Takeda et al. showed that ozonated glycerine inactivated SARS-CoV-2, with concentrations above 1000 ppm achieving ≥94.38% viral inactivation in 20 seconds.
• Cosmetic Applications: By 2022, Hanada et al. reported that ozonated glycerine-based cosmetic products could lighten age spots on human facial skin, leveraging its oxidative properties to bleach melanin.
• Veterinary and Oncology Research: Professor Yoshiharu Okamoto at Tottori University explored ozonated glycerin’s potential in cancer treatment. His unpublished work, cited in 2024, suggested that ozonated glycerin’s 90-day half-life allowed sustained release of ozone metabolites, selectively targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues.

Post-2024 Developments and Current Understanding (2025)

As of 2025, ozonated glycerine has gained traction in both clinical and commercial spheres, particularly in the United States, following endorsements by ozone therapy advocates. However, it remains an experimental therapy with limited formal research compared to other ozone delivery methods.

• Renewed Interest in the U.S.: In 2024, Dr. Jim Bridge’s presentation at an ozone conference sparked interest among U.S. practitioners, including Dr. Frank Shallenberger and Dr. Robert Rowen. Shallenberger’s newsletter and Rowen’s Rowen Report highlighted ozonated glycerin’s potential for conditions like knee arthritis and cancer.
• Production and Commercialization: Companies like PurO3 and SimplyO3 began marketing ozonated glycerine (e.g., “Glyzine”) as a premium product for research and therapeutic applications. These products are made with organic, USP-grade glycerine and ultra-pure ozone, with a guaranteed 90-day shelf life at room temperature (up to 18 months refrigerated).
• Chemical Composition: The exact composition of ozonated glycerine remains under investigation. It contains dissolved ozone, peroxides, aldehydes, ketones, and organic acids formed by ozone’s reaction with glycerin’s hydroxyl groups. Speculation about glycerol tri-peroxide has been dismissed by experts, who recommend further analysis to confirm its molecular makeup.
• Half-Life and Stability: Industry consensus estimates a 90-day half-life at room temperature, with refrigeration extending potency to 18 months and freezing preserving it indefinitely.

Current Uses and Applications

Ozonated glycerine is used “experimentally” in various fields, though it lacks “official” approval and requires medical supervision. Its applications include:

• Antimicrobial Therapy: Effective against bacteria, viruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), and biofilms, used in wound healing and infection control.
• Wound Healing: Promotes tissue regeneration in chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, by reducing inflammation and stimulating fibroblast proliferation.
• Cosmetic Applications: Lightens age spots and improves skin health due to its oxidative and melanin-bleaching effects.
• Cancer Support: Experimental use in veterinary and human oncology shows promise, with peritumoral injections reducing tumor size in animal models and some human cases.
• Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Reduces TNF-α levels in chronic wounds, aiding tissue repair.
• Other Uses: Explored for osteoarthritis, periodontal disease, and immune modulation, often via topical, injectable, or IV infusions.

Current Understanding and Challenges

• Mechanism: Ozonated glycerine delivers ozone’s oxidative effects in a stable, bioavailable form. Glycerin’s water-soluble nature allows deep tissue penetration, making it a potential carrier for targeted therapies.
• Safety: Generally considered safe for skin and mucosal applications, but its use in injections or ingestion remains experimental and requires further study.
• Research Gaps: Despite progress, ozonated glycerine is the least studied ozone therapy delivery method. Anecdotal reports often outpace peer-reviewed data, and its long-term safety and efficacy need validation.
• Regulatory Status: Not approved by major health authorities for medical use, limiting its mainstream adoption.

Conclusion

Ozonated glycerine has evolved from Charles Marchand’s speculative Glycozone in the 1880s to a scientifically grounded compound with promising applications, thanks to Japanese innovations starting in 2004. The 2005 patent and subsequent research established its stability and antimicrobial properties, paving the way for uses in wound healing, cosmetics, and experimental cancer therapy. As of 2025, it is gaining attention in alternative medicine, but its full potential is hindered by limited research and regulatory barriers. Ongoing studies and commercialization efforts may further clarify its role in medical and cosmetic applications.

Historical synopsis provided by Grok XAI

How to purchase?

You can purchase our in-house manufactured Ozonated Glycerine at our online store here: https://medicalozone.co.za/store/ozone-infused-glycerine-100ml/