title: Review article: Glucosamine.
abstract: It has been claimed that glucosamine is able to alleviate pain, slow down losses of, and even restore articular cartilage in patients with damaged or osteoarthritic joints. It is classified as a food additive or nutraceutical; therefore manufacturers do not need to comply with the same regulations that apply for quality assurance within the pharmaceutical industry. Osteoarthritis can be managed by pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. It is controversial whether glucosamine sulphate is the first structure-modifying drug commercially available. Little evidence suggests that glucosamine is superior to a placebo treatment in restoring articular cartilage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. vanstu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kirkham
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Samarasinghe
mesh_terms: D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000187:drug effects; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005944:Glucosamine