Chondroitin sulfate A sodium salt is used as an important material in pharmaceuticals and beauty products. It also serves as an anti-aging agent and as an additive of food. Further, it is used in the treatment of nervous headaches, joint pain, migraine and atherosclerosis. Further, it is used for osteoarthritis. It is also employed in cataract surgery and as a solution for preserving corneas used for transplants.
As a large, negatively charged, hydrophilic molecule that is too inflexible to fold into a compact globular structure, chondroitin sulfate molecules form porous hydrated gels, providing mechanical support to tissue and allowing rapid diffusion of water-soluble molecules and migration of cells.
