Glucosamine (GlcN)

Glucosamine is a small, water-soluble amino sugar with the molecular formula C6H13NO5. It serves as a precursor in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans—essential components of cartilage and connective tissue. Exogenously administered glucosamine is primarily taken for its purported chondroprotective and symptom-relieving effects in osteoarthritis, although its efficacy remains debated. Glucosamine itself is not a molecular target, but rather a substrate and building block in various biosynthetic pathways, especially those leading to the formation of proteoglycans and glycoproteins. As a supplement, common forms include glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride; it is typically derived from shellfish or synthetically produced.

Other names

D-glucosamine2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucosechitosamineglucosaminaaminoglucoseglucosamine hydrochlorideglucosamine sulfateN-acetylglucosamine

As a supplement: hypothesized to stimulate synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and collagen in chondrocytes May inhibit degradation of cartilage by downregulating inflammatory cytokines and catabolic enzymes (proposed for glucosamine sulfate)