ABSTRACT
Glucosamine and chondroitin are alternative solutions to previous pharmaceutical options
for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This article describes the mechanisms of action,
pharmacokinetics, recent findings, and upcoming studies of these two natural remedies.
The majority of studies on the mechanisms behind glucosamine and chondroitin have
been performed in vitro or on animal models; however, the results have shown favorable
effects on the balance between cartilage matrix synthesis and degradation. The pharmacokinetics
of the three main forms of glucosamine were compared, and glucosamine hydrochloride
displayed the greatest compound purity, despite the compounds having equal oral absorption
rates of 90%. Chondroitin sulfate has been the principal clinical formulation with
a slightly lower oral absorption of 70%. Clinical trials were evaluated based on two
categories—radiographic changes and symptom improvement of pain and function. Although
adverse effects of these two remedies were minor, the quality and labeled quantity
of these relatively unregulated products must be considered. More randomized controlled
studies on humans in vivo need to evaluate the efficacy, long-term effects, and quality
of these compounds.
