Glucosamine hydrochloride is a natural product, an amino sugar that plays an essential role in the process of biosynthesis of glycosylated lipids and proteins. It is also a key constituent of glycosaminoglycans which are the most important components in the matrix of molecules in vertebrate connective tissues.

Glucosamine in the human body is available as:

• glucosamine hydrochloride
• glucosamine sulfate
• crystalline glucosamine sulfate

and is present in high amounts in articular cartilage, intervertebral disc and synovial fluid (1).

Glucosamine can also be extracted from the chitosan and chitin exoskeleton of crustaceans such as shellfish and can be stabilized as a salt, glucosamine hydrochloride or glucosamine sulfate for oral administration. It has been used for many years in the treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). In Europe, it is a registered drug approved for the treatment of OA (primarily for its symptomatic and slow-acting effect in promoting cartilage and joint health). It has been qualified as an over-the-counter dietary supplement by the US Food and Drug Administration (2).

The treatment of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in patients with cervical spondylosis can achieve ideal results, improve overall treatment efficiency, and, therefore, has important application significance (3).

The results of this study indicated that glucosamine hydrochloride effectively protected erythrocytes from free radicals and could be recommended as a pharmaceutical supplement to alleviate oxidative stress (4).

Renal fibrosis is a common consequence of unilateral ureteral obstruction, providing a useful model to investigate the pathogenesis of obstructive nephropathy and progressive renal fibrosis. Glucosamine hydrochloride would be a promising agent for therapeutic intervention to prevent transforming growth factor beta-induced renal fibrosis in kidney disease (5).

The raw material for obtaining Glucosamine hydrochloride is chitin, which is extracted from shrimp shells by deproteinization, demineralization, and depigmentation (6).

Glucosamine hydrochloride studies

Molecular formula: C₆H₁₄ClNO₅    ¹³C₆H₁₃¹⁵NO₅ · HCl

Molecular Weight: 215.63 g/mol

CAS: 66-84-2

UNII 750W5330FY

EC Number: 200-638-1

DSSTox Substance ID: 

MDL number  MFCD00135831

PubChem Substance ID 329759240

Beilstein/REAXYS Number: 4157370

NACRES: NA.25

Synonims: 

• 2-Amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose hydrochloride
• 2-Amino-D-glucose
• D-Glucosamine HCl
• Cosamin
• Chitosamine hydrochloride

References_______________________________________________________________

(1) Hamerman D. The biology of osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 1989 May 18;320(20):1322-30. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198905183202006.

(2) Henrotin Y, Mobasheri A, Marty M. Is there any scientific evidence for the use of glucosamine in the management of human osteoarthritis? Arthritis Res Ther. 2012 Jan 30;14(1):201. doi: 10.1186/ar3657.

(3) Li Y, Liu X, Han J, Zhang J, Zhang L, Yu H. Clinical efficacy of glucosamine hydrochloride tablets in the treatment of cervical spondylosis. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018 Jul;31(4(Special)):1617-1621.

(4) Jamialahmadi K, Arasteh O, Matbou Riahi M, Mehri S, Riahi-Zanjani B, Karimi G. Protective effects of glucosamine hydrochloride against free radical-induced erythrocytes damage. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2014 Jul;38(1):212-9. doi: 10.1016/j.etap.2014.05.018. 

(5) Park J, Lee SY, Ooshima A, Yang KM, Kang JM, Kim YW, Kim SJ. Glucosamine hydrochloride exerts a protective effect against unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis by attenuating TGF-β signaling. J Mol Med (Berl). 2013 Nov;91(11):1273-84. doi: 10.1007/s00109-013-1086-1. 

(6) Benavente, Martha & Arias, Selene & Moreno, Luis & Martínez, Joaquín. (2015). Production of Glucosamine Hydrochloride from Crustacean Shell. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 3. 20-26. 10.17265/2328-2150/2015.01.003. 

Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Bruyère O, Altman RD, Reginster JY. Efficacy and safety of glucosamine sulfate in the management of osteoarthritis: Evidence from real-life setting trials and surveys. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2016 Feb;45(4 Suppl):S12-7. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.11.011.

Abstract

The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis (ESCEO) treatment algorithm recommends chronic symptomatic slow-acting drugs for osteoarthritis (SYSADOAs) including glucosamine sulfate (GS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) as first-line therapy for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Numerous studies are published on the use of SYSADOAs in OA; however, the efficacy of this class is still called into question largely due to the regulatory status, labeling and availability of these medications which differ substantially across the world. Examination of the evidence for the prescription patented crystalline GS (pCGS) formulation at a dose of 1500mg once-daily demonstrates superiority over other GS and glucosamine hydrochloride (GH) formulations and dosage regimens. Thus, the ESCEO task force advocates differentiation of prescription pCGS over other glucosamine preparations. Long-term clinical trials and real-life studies show that pCGS may delay joint structural changes, suggesting potential benefit beyond symptom control when used early in the management of knee OA. Real-life pharmacoeconomic studies demonstrate a long-term reduction in the need for additional pain analgesia and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with pCGS, with a significant reduction of over 50% in costs associated with medications, healthcare consultations and examinations over 12 months. Furthermore, treatment with pCGS for at least 12 months leads to a reduction in the need for total joint replacement for at least 5 years following treatment cessation. Thus, pCGS (1500mg od) is a logical choice to maximize clinical benefit in OA patients, with demonstrated medium-term control of pain and lasting impact on disease progression.

Houpt JB, McMillan R, Wein C, Paget-Dellio SD. Effect of glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of pain of osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol. 1999 Nov;26(11):2423-30.

Hochberg MC, Martel-Pelletier J, Monfort J, Möller I, Castillo JR, Arden N, Berenbaum F, Blanco FJ, Conaghan PG, Doménech G, Henrotin Y, Pap T, Richette P, Sawitzke A, du Souich P, Pelletier JP; MOVES Investigation Group. Combined chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine for painful knee osteoarthritis: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority trial versus celecoxib. Ann Rheum Dis. 2016 Jan;75(1):37-44. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-206792.

Lomonte ABV, Mendonça JA, de Castro Brandão G, Castro ML. Multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial to evaluate efficacy and safety of combined glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate capsules for treating knee osteoarthritis. Adv Rheumatol. 2018 Dec 5;58(1):41. doi: 10.1186/s42358-018-0041-9.

Vlad SC, LaValley MP, McAlindon TE, Felson DT. Glucosamine for pain in osteoarthritis: why do trial results differ? Arthritis Rheum. 2007 Jul;56(7):2267-77. doi: 10.1002/art.22728.

Yue J, Yang M, Yi S, Dong B, Li W, Yang Z, Lu J, Zhang R, Yong J. Chondroitin sulfate and/or glucosamine hydrochloride for Kashin-Beck disease: a cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled study. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2012 Jul;20(7):622-9. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2012.03.013.

 Saengnipanthkul S, Waikakul S, Rojanasthien S, Totemchokchyakarn K, Srinkapaibulaya A, Cheh Chin T, Mai Hong N, Bruyère O, Cooper C, Reginster JY, Lwin M. Differentiation of patented crystalline glucosamine sulfate from other glucosamine preparations will optimize osteoarthritis treatment. Int J Rheum Dis. 2019 Mar;22(3):376-385. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13068.

 Chen Q, Bian N, Cao C, Qiu XL, Qi AD, Han BH. Glucosamine hydrochloride functionalized tetraphenylethylene: a novel fluorescent probe for alkaline phosphatase based on the aggregation-induced emission. Chem Commun (Camb). 2010 Jun 21;46(23):4067-9. doi: 10.1039/c002894k.

Meulyzer M, Vachon P, Beaudry F, Vinardell T, Richard H, Beauchamp G, Laverty S. Joint inflammation increases glucosamine levels attained in synovial fluid following oral administration of glucosamine hydrochloride. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2009 Feb;17(2):228-34. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2008.06.018.

Kucharz EJ, Kovalenko V, Szántó S, Bruyère O, Cooper C, Reginster JY. A review of glucosamine for knee osteoarthritis: why patented crystalline glucosamine sulfate should be differentiated from other glucosamines to maximize clinical outcomes. Curr Med Res Opin. 2016 Jun;32(6):997-1004. doi: 10.1185/03007995.2016.1154521.