What Is Chondroitin Sulfate?
Sodium chondroitin sulfate is the sodium salt of chondroitin sulfate, an acidic mucopolysaccharide found in the cartilage of whales and sharks.
Chondroitin sulfate usually exists as a proteoglycan (a complex of sugar and protein with a special structure) and is widely distributed in connective tissues such as cartilage and skin, and in all tissues including the brain. Due to its water retention and viscosity, it also acts as a cushioning material in joints.
Its salt, chondroitin sulfate is a substance used as a medical drug and an over-the-counter drug.
Uses of Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate is a substance used in pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics, etc.
1. Pharmaceuticals
In pharmaceutical applications, it is a drug that is sold as both a prescription drug and an over-the-counter drug. As an ethical drug, it is indicated for the treatment of lumbago, arthralgia, and periarthritis of the shoulder in the form of an injectable solution, and for the protection of the superficial layer of the cornea in the form of eye drops.
As an over the counter drug, it is indicated for the treatment of arthralgia and neuralgia in oral form, and is also used as eye drops to protect the surface layer of the cornea in the same way as ethical drugs.
2. Food
In food applications, chondroitin sulfate is used as an emulsion stabilizer in the manufacturing process for mayonnaise, dressings, and other products. This is because chondroitin sulfate has excellent water absorption and water retention properties. It is also used in fish sausages to eliminate fish odor.
3.Cosmetics
In cosmetic applications, it is used as a moisturizer due to its smooth feel.
Properties of Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate has a structure in which a sulfate is attached to a repeating disaccharide chain consisting of D-glucuronic acid (GlcA) and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc). Since there are variations in the position of the sulfate group and the presence or absence of GlcA epimerization in the repeating structure of this disaccharide unit, there are multiple isomers of chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin sulfate sodium is a sulfate of each of these isomers.
Structure of Chondroitin Sulfate
In the monosaccharides that make up chondroitin sulfate sodium, the sulfate groups are mainly attached to the 4- and 6-positions of GalNAc. In chondroitin sulfate B (dermatan sulfate), GlcA of chondroitin sulfate is epimerized to form iduronic acid.
In chondroitin sulfate E, both positions 4 and 6 are sulfated, and in chondroitin sulfate D, the hydroxyl group of glucuronic acid is sulfated.
Types of Chondroitin Sulfate
The types of chondroitin sulfate sold include reagent products for research and development, chemical products, and pharmaceuticals.
1. Reagent Products for Research and Development
Reagent products for research and development include 0.1 g, 5 g, 25 g, and other capacities. In addition to those sold as chondroitin sulfate, isolated products of each of the aforementioned A~E types may also be sold.
In such cases, they are sold under product names such as Chondroitin Sulfate A Sodium, Chondroitin Sulfate B Sodium, Chondroitin Sulfate C Sodium, and Chondroitin Sulfate E Sodium, respectively. These reagent products are mainly used in the fields of cell biology and biochemistry, and are manufactured using chicken cartilage, porcine skin, squid cartilage, etc. as raw materials.
Note that products for research and development cannot be used for clinical purposes.
2. Pharmaceutical Products
There are prescription drugs such as 200 mg injectable solution, 1%/3% eye drops, and various other over-the-counter drugs.