N-acylated hexosamines as nutraceuticals : from shellfish to algae to mammalian bone and joint health

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Glucosamine (GlcN) is used extensively as an "over the counter" preparation for joint and bone disorders. However, it is not clear from clinical trials that it actually works. The main source GlcN is chitosan, which is derived from chitin, the most abundant polymer in the animal kingdom. So GlcN is a "nutraceutical". We have developed a series N-acylated glucosamines (GlcNAcyls), which are chemically modified nutriceuticals, for veterinary and human applications, primarily in arthritis and osteoporosis. Our preferred (lead) compound, N-butyryl glucosamine (GlcNBu) has shown positive effects in animal models for these applications, GlcN itself has not. Other applications, for which we have preliminary data, include enhancing animal growth and weight gain and possibly cognition and increased mobility in aged dogs. GlcNBu appears to have very little, if