硫酸軟骨素(chondroitinsulfuric acid),系由Boedicher于1864年发現,是高分子化合物粘多糖(mucopolysaccharide)的一种,与蛋白质结合成粘朊(mucoprotein)广泛存在于动物的軟骨、腱、韌带及血管壁等組織中,可制成鈉盐、鉀盐和鈣盐(均为白色非品形粉末)。其钠盐、鉀盐均可溶于水,不溶于乙醇、乙醚、丙酮、冰醋酸等,能被多数重金属盐类沉淀。 Chondroitin sulfate, which was discovered by Boedicher in 1864, is a type of mucopolysaccharide that binds to proteins and forms a mucoprotein that is widely present in cartilage, tendons, and ligaments in animals. In tissues such as blood vessel walls, sodium salts, potassium salts, and calcium salts (all of which are white non-shaped powders) can be prepared. The sodium and potassium salts are soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol, ether, acetone, glacial acetic acid, etc., and can be precipitated by most heavy metal salts.