chondroi

n. [ Gr. cho`ndros cartilage. ] (Physiol. Chem.) A colorless, amorphous, mucopolysaccharide having N-acetyl chondrosine as the repeating unit with one sulfate group per disaccharide. Typical preparations have a molecular weight of about 50, 000. Preparations are sold over-the-counter, often referred to as chondroitin, with the putative ability to relieve pain in joints and assist joint cartilage growth or regeneration; such claims are, as of 2001, yet unproven. [ PJC ]