Physical properties
At room temperature,Chondroitin sulfate is a white powder, odorless, tasteless. It has a strong ability of water absorption. It is highly soluble in water to become a solution with high viscosity. It become unstable upon higher temperatures or acidic condition, primarily being deacetylated or being degraded into monosaccharide or smaller molecular-weight polysaccharide. Soluble in organic solvent like ethanol, acetone and ether.
benefits
Chondroitin sulfate is reported to increase water-binding properties when used with hydrolyzed protein and to enhance the moisturizing effects of creams and lotions. In the skin, chondroitin sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan component. It is also used to treat coronary atherosclerotic disease, increased blood lipids and cholesterol, arteriosclerosis, angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction embolism for patients of coronary heart disease.
Side effects
Chondroitin sulfate was generally well-tolerated and safe for long-term use. Side effects are relatively mild and most often included stomach upset and nausea.Less commonly, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headache, swollen eyelids, leg swelling (edema), hair loss, skin rash, and irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) have been reported. Some of these may be caused by a hypersensitivity to the beef or pork albumins in the chondroitin extract.