Research data · Preclinical

Chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharide: preclinical osteoarthritis study

Animal study conducted by China Pharmaceutical University (Aug 2019 – May 2020), testing low-molecular-weight chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharide in two osteoarthritis models.

Study overview

Test facility	China Pharmaceutical University
Study period	August 2019 – May 2020
Models	Rat papain-induced OA model; mouse meniscus instability (DMM-type) OA model
Dosing	Oral, once daily, 12 weeks
Oligosaccharide doses (rat)	30 / 15 / 7.5 / 3.8 mg/kg
Oligosaccharide doses (mouse)	60 / 30 / 15 / 7.5 mg/kg
Comparators	High-MW chondroitin sulfate + glucosamine; oligosaccharide + glucosamine

How to read this page: the figures below summarize results reported in the study report for the test article (chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharide, purity 96.7%). These are animal study results, shared here as technical research reference for formulators — not as claims of efficacy in humans.

Key findings at a glance

Wk 1

Joint swelling significantly reduced (P<0.05, highest dose)

IL-6 ↓

Significantly lower vs model control (P<0.01)

TNF-α ↓

Significantly lower across all dose groups (P<0.01)

Collagen ↑

Femoral hydroxyproline restored toward sham levels

Joint swelling over 12 weeks (rat model)

Knee swelling (mm) by dose group and week — the highest-dose group separated from the model control as early as week 1.

Source: study report Table 2 (mean±SD, subset of groups shown). *P<0.05 vs model control at week 1 (30 mg/kg group).

Inflammatory markers after 12 weeks (rat model)

Serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α (pg/ml) — oligosaccharide groups trended toward sham levels.

Source: study report Table 3 (mean±SD). Highest dose (30 mg/kg): IL-6 and IL-1β P<0.01, TNF-α P<0.01 vs model control. Sham: IL-6 50.5, IL-1β 24.3, TNF-α 192.0 pg/ml. Model control: IL-6 99.5, IL-1β 39.8, TNF-α 359.8 pg/ml.

Cartilage collagen marker (rat model)

Femoral hydroxyproline content (μg/g) — a marker of cartilage collagen. All oligosaccharide dose groups were significantly higher than model control (P<0.01).

Source: study report Table 4 (mean±SD). **P<0.01, *P<0.05 vs model control.

Mouse model: pain & weight-bearing

After 12 weeks of dosing, mid and high dose groups showed significantly reduced hindlimb weight-bearing difference (P<0.01) and the high dose group significantly improved mechanical pain threshold (P<0.05).

Source: study report Table 7 (mean±SD). *P<0.05, **P<0.01 vs model control. Sham: weight-bearing diff 0.06 g, pain threshold 1.97 g. Model control: 7.17 g, 0.67 g.

Full data tables

Selected tables from the study report (mean±SD).

Table 2 — Rat knee joint swelling (mm), selected weeks

Group	Dose (mg/kg)	Week 1	Week 12
Sham	—	0.010±0.163**	0.042±0.416
Model control	—	0.398±0.248	0.322±0.424
CS oligosaccharide	30	0.174±0.15*	0.027±0.304
CS oligosaccharide	15	0.348±0.194	0.013±0.035
CS oligosaccharide	7.5	0.38±0.236	0.025±0.674
CS oligosaccharide	3.8	0.341±0.230	0.040±0.505
High-MW CS + glucosamine	40+200	0.372±0.370	0.397±0.313
CS oligosaccharide + glucosamine	7.5+37.5	0.519±0.265	0.203±0.335

Table 3 — Serum cytokines (pg/ml), rat, 12 weeks

Group	Dose (mg/kg)	IL-6	IL-1β	TNF-α
Sham	—	50.53±19.39**	24.33±2.68**	192.04±30.66**
Model control	—	99.48±15.81	39.84±5.37	359.84±11.83
CS oligosaccharide	30	55.41±11.67**	26.57±3.09**	224.35±26.41**
CS oligosaccharide	15	73.62±13.63	30.58±4.32	214.68±40.82**
CS oligosaccharide	7.5	67.89±12.17*	36.36±6.61	271.34±40.44**
CS oligosaccharide	3.8	93.47±18.89	38.32±5.78	279.09±39.07**
High-MW CS + glucosamine	40+200	98.72±28.87	37.57±3.25	261.84±37.16**
CS oligosaccharide + glucosamine	7.5+37.5	54.28±20.78*	28.96±2.79*	205.79±31.05**

Table 4 — Femoral hydroxyproline (μg/g), rat, 12 weeks

Group	Dose (mg/kg)	Hydroxyproline
Sham	—	547.13±79.87**
Model control	—	250.00±41.61
CS oligosaccharide	30	396.88±89.54**
CS oligosaccharide	15	352.57±88.44*
CS oligosaccharide	7.5	468.96±86.75**
CS oligosaccharide	3.8	428.07±82.81**
High-MW CS + glucosamine	40+200	328.34±56.87*
CS oligosaccharide + glucosamine	7.5+37.5	502.01±78.83**

Table 7 — Mouse weight-bearing & pain threshold, 12 weeks

Group	Dose (mg/kg)	Weight-bearing diff (g)	Pain threshold (g)
Sham	—	0.06±0.31**	1.97±0.10**
Model control	—	7.17±1.74	0.67±0.21
CS oligosaccharide	60	3.89±1.65*	1.19±0.42
CS oligosaccharide	30	3.72±1.31**	1.36±0.60*
CS oligosaccharide	15	3.93±0.99**	0.92±0.43
CS oligosaccharide	7.5	5.10±1.33	0.93±0.43
CS oligosaccharide + glucosamine	15+75	3.95±1.40**	0.79±0.48

About the test article

The material tested in this study is the same product line H&Y supplies today.

Test article	Chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharide
Purity (assay)	96.7%
Supplier	Nanjing H&Y Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.

Disclaimer: The data presented on this page are from a preclinical animal study and are provided for informational and research-reference purposes only. Animal study results do not necessarily predict outcomes in humans. Nothing on this page is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA or EFSA. Chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharide is a raw ingredient intended for use in finished goods manufactured by others.

Request the study summary or a sample

Tell us your formulation target — we'll share documentation and pricing.

Contact our team