A chondroitin, as the sulfate, is a component of bamacan, a proteoglycan (sugar-protein conjugate) that comprises some membranes. Chondroitin is a chondrin derivative.
Types include:
- Chondroitin sulfate
- Dermatan sulfate
Chondroitin as a supplement is now commonly used (often in combination with glucosamine) in treating the joint disease of osteoarthritis. In contrast to the symptomatic treatments, chondroitin can modify the progression of a disease process in the patient which it can be used as an alternative medicine. The cartilage proteoglycan synthesis can speed up as chondroitin is going through the pathway of the alimentary canal. However, the effectiveness of the drugs is still doubtful.