PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
H.S. CODE
TOXICITY
SYNONYMS
CLASSIFICATION
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
AUTOIGNITION
NFPA RATINGS
REFRACTIVE INDEX
GENERAL DESCRIPTION & EXTERNAL LINKS
Chondroitin is a molecule that occurs naturally in the body. It is a major component of cartilage -- the tough, connective tissue that cushions the joints. Chondroitin helps to keep cartilage healthy by absorbing fluid (particularly water) into the connective tissue. It may also block enzymes that break down cartilage, and it provides the building blocks for the body to produce new cartilage. A number of scientific studies suggest that chondroitin may be an effective treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a type of arthritis characterized by the breakdown and eventual loss of cartilage, either due to injury or to normal wear and tear. (http://www.umm.edu/)
The use of chondroitin in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal/health supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. Chondroitin is also known as chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin sulfuric acid, and chonsurid. Chondroitin has been used for the alleviation of the symptoms of arthritis. It has been reported that chondroitin may be involved in the production of cartilage that is important for healthy joints. (http://www.stjohnsmercy.org/)
Cartilage matrix is a gel-like substance composed of water and the macromolecular polyanionic substances, proteoglycan and collagen. Although produced separately, proteoglycan is linked to collagen extracellularly. Proteoglycans are elastic molecules that expand in solution and strongly resist compression into a smaller volume. Proteoglycan consists of a protein core or backbone to which are attached side chains of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Three distinct GAGs have been identified: chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, and keratin sulfate. Because of their repelling negative charges, the GAGs are attached to the protein core at nearly right angles. In the matrix, the proteoglycan is arranged in high-molecular-weight aggregates formed by noncovalent association between proteoglycan subunits, hyaluronic acid and linkage protein. (http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/)
SUMMARY OF DATA FOR CHEMICAL SELECTION (Chondroitin Sulfate) (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/)
Chondroitin a naturally occurring substance of large protein molecule that is believed to contribute to the elasticity of cartilage. Chondroitin stabilizd with hydrochloride or sulfur is used as a dietary or nutritional supplement.
APPEARANCE
20ppm max
ARSENIC
2ppm max
PROTEIN
3.5% max
SPECIFIC ROTATION
RESIDUE ON IGNITION
20.0 - 30.0%
LOSS DRYING
10.0% max
25kgs in fiber drum
