※ Introduction
Chondroitin sulfate is well known in the nutrition and health industry, consistently ranking among the top five most popular ingredients.
However, just because an ingredient is well known doesn’t mean it is a commodity in which all ingredients are created equal.
While most people feel they understand chondroitin sulfate,we have found that buyers and scientists alike continue to be confused because of misinformation, changes in testing methodologies and unscrupulous ingredient manufacturers.
We have compiled this guide to help you be a savvier consumer of chondroitin sulfate.
What is Chondroitin Sulfate?
Molecularly, chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) widely found in the animal kingdom as part of connective and structural tissues. It is an important component of cartilage that provides resistance to compression. Chondroitin sulfate is composed of a chain of alternating sugars: N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) and glucuronic acid, usually attached to proteins as part of a proteoglycan (Figure 1).
What are different types of Chondroitin Sulfate?
Chondroitin sulfate can be separated into A, C, D and E identifications (see Table 1), based on the quantity of sulfation on its sugar residues.
Table 1
|
Letter identification |
Site of sulfation |
Systematic name |
|
Chondroitin sulfate A |
Carbon 4 of the N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) sugar |
Chondroitin 4 sulfate |
|
Chondroitin sulfate C |
Carbon 6 of the GalNAc sugar |
Chondroitin 6 sulfate |
|
Chondroitin sulfate D |
Carbon 2 of the glucuronic acid and 6 of the GalNAc sugar |
Chondroitin 2,6 sulfate |
|
Chondroitin sulfate E |
Carbons 4 and 6 of the GalNAc sugar |
Chondroitin 4,6 sulfate |
Industry-Preferred Test Method
Enzymatic HPLC has been adopted by AOAC as the preferred test method for chondroitin sulfate. This method is still relatively new, and only a few suppliers are offering material that has been tested using Enzymatic HPLC. In the past seven years, AIDP has been leading the way by offering Enzymatic HPLC-tested chondroitin sulfate of the highest quality and purity.
Enzymatic HPLC: This method relies on the speficci enzymatic activity of chondroitinase AC. Chondroitin sulfate is hydrolyzed into unsaturated disaccharides, which can be separated by HPLC and detected by UV at 240 nm. This method involves more steps, takes longer and costs more than other testing methods, but it is both accurate and specific. There is virtually no interference due to the specific and selective enzymatic activities.
The Enzymatic HPLC method is highly selective, accurate and repeatable. It is a challenge for most suppliers to meet the rigorous quality standards for purity and consistency.
B&BIO is proud to be one of very few suppliers able to meet these requirements, providing some of the highest quality chondroitin sulfate on the market.
※ Safety Research
Chondroitin is likely safe when taken by mouth appropriately for osteoarthritis. Safety information is lacking for chronic use lasting longer than three years. Chondroitin is likely safe when applied appropriately to the skin or to the eyes.
Sources report that there may be a risk of acquiring mad cow disease from ingesting chondroitin that is derived from bovine tissue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggests caution when consuming bovine tissue from countries with mad cow disease.
Chondroitin may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in people with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
※ Efficacy & Current Use
Osteoarthritis (general)
Chondroitin sulfate is considered a promising treatment for osteoarthritis. It is most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the finger, knee, hip joints, low back, and facial joints. Research has mostly focused on knee osteoarthritis, with fewer studies conducted on other joints. Clinical trials suggest that chondroitin may have significant effects when compared to placebo.
Osteoarthritis (knee)
Chondroitin sulfate is considered a promising treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. It is also most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the finger, hip joints, low back, and facial joints. Clinical trials suggest that chondroitin may have significant effects when compared to placebo.
Bone diseases
A study reports that chondroitin sulfate may benefit people who have Kaschin-Beck disease, which affects the bone and causes joint pain or stiffness.
Iron absorption enhancement
Early evidence suggests that taking chondroitin and iron together may help improve iron absorption in healthy people.
※ Certificate of Analysis
BATCH NO. CS130603
|
ITEMS STANDARDS RESULTS |
||
|
Appearance |
white/off-white powder |
white powder |
|
Loss on Drying |
n.m.t 10.0% |
7.3% |
|
Chodroitin Sulfate Assay |
n.l.t 90.0% |
91.5% |
|
pH Value |
5.5~7.5 |
6.4 |
|
Specific Rotation |
-20.0°~-30.0° |
-25.1° |
|
Protein Content |
n.m.t 6.0% |
4.2% |
|
Clarity of Solution (420nm) |
n.m.t 0.35% |
0.15% |
|
Chloride |
n.m.t 0.5% |
0.43 |
|
Residue on Ignition |
20.0%~30.0% |
26.9% |
|
Total bacterial count |
n.m.t 1000 cfu/g |
255 |
|
Yeast and Molds |
n.m.t 100 cfu/g |
10 |
|
Salmonella |
negative |
negative |
|
E. Coli |
negative |
negative |
※ Selected References
|
●Aubry-Rozier B. [Role of slow-acting anti-arthritic agents in osteoarthritis (chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid)]. Rev.Med.Suisse 3-14-2012;8(332):571-2, 574, 576. |
● Chen WC, Yao CL, Chu IM, et al. Compare the effects of chondrogenesis by culture of human mesenchymal stem cells with various type of the chondroitin sulfate C. J.Biosci.Bioeng.2011;111(2):226-231. |
|
●Aubry-Rozier B. [Role of slow-acting anti-arthritic agents in osteoarthritis (chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid)]. Rev.Med.Suisse 3-14-2012;8(332):571-2, 574, 576. |
● De Vita D and Giordano S. Effectiveness of intravesical hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate in recurrent bacterial cystitis: a randomized study. Int.Urogynecol.J. 2012;23(12):1707-1713. |
|
● Gabay C, Medinger-Sadowski C, Gascon D, et al.Symptomatic effects of chondroitin 4 and chondroitin 6 sulfate on hand osteoarthritis: a randomized,double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial at a single center.Arthritis Rheum. 2011;63(11):3383-3391. |
● Kanzaki N, Saito K, Maeda A, et al. Effect of a dietary supplement containing glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate and quercetin glycosides on symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J.Sci.Food Agric. 3-15-2012;92(4):862-869. |
|
● Nickel JC, Hanno P, Kumar K, et al. Second multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group evaluation of effectiveness and safety of intravesical sodium chondroitin sulfate compared with inactive vehicle control in subjects with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Urology 2012;79(6):1220-1224. |
● Railhac JJ, Zaim M, Saurel AS, et al. Effect of 12 months treatment with chondroitin sulfate on cartilage volume in knee osteoarthritis patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study using MRI. Clin.Rheumatol.2012;31(9):1347-1357. |
|
● Tsui T, Boon H, Boecker A, et al. Understanding the role of scientific evidence in consumer evaluation of natural health products for osteoarthritis an application of the means end chain approach. BMC.Complement Altern.Med. 2012;12:198. |
● Van Vijven JP, Luijsterburg PA, Verhagen AP, et al.Symptomatic and chondroprotective treatment with collagen derivatives in osteoarthritis: a systematic review.Osteoarthritis.Cartilage. 2012;20(8):809-821. |
|
● Wildi LM, Raynauld JP, Martel-Pelletier J, et al.Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as 6 months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double-blind,placebo-controlled pilot study using MRI.Ann.Rheum.Dis. 2011;70(6):982-989. |
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