Chondroitin sulfate: the mechanisms of action, its efficacy and safety in the therapy of osteoarthrosis

Abstract

The ideas on the pathogenesis of osteoarthrosis are constantly expanding; there are new approaches to treating this disease. Chondroitin sulfate (CS) has a long history of use, but not all mechanisms of its action have been fully revealed to date. The results of laboratory and clinical studies suggest that CS has symptomatic properties and that the main point is that the drug may have a structure-modifying effect. This one of the most interesting properties of CS calls for further largescale studies. There are currently injectable CS formulations. Our country is manufacturing CS-containing Arthradol®; it is to be tested in some leading rheumatology centers of Russia.