Mechanism of action
It is believed that glucosamine stimulates cartilage cells to produce glucosaminoglycans and proteoglycans which are the building blocks of cartilage. By this mechanism, it is thought to stop the progression of OA and possibly reverses the process. It has also been reported that glucosamine has anti-inflammatory properties produced by its inhibition of proteolytic enzymes. Glucosamine sulphate is an artificially synthesized salt of glucosamine which has been shown in animal studies to have the potential to slow the rate of cartilage degradation.