N-Acetyl-D-Glucosamine

Flammability and Explosibility

Notclassified

Biochem/physiol Actions

N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) oligomer may have the ability to initiate factors for canine polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in vivo. It possesses wound healing and chemotactic activity. GlcNAc and its derivatives are usually employed in preparing dietary supplements and also used in therapeutic development.

Sources

N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is derived from chitin, the most abundant nitrogen-containing biopolymer on Earth. Chitin can be found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects, as well as in fungal cell walls.^[1]

Chemical Composition and Structure

GlcNAc is a deacetylated derivative of glucosamine and is a major structural component of cell walls in bacteria and the extracellular matrix in animal cells. Its chemical structure consists of a glucose molecule with an N-acetyl group attached to the amine group.^[2]

Production Methods

Microbial fermentation, particularly using engineered strains of Corynebacterium glutamicum, has emerged as a promising method for GlcNAc production.^[3]

Definition

ChEBI: The pyranose form of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

General Description

N-Acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) is a monosaccharide, derived from glucose and undergoes linear polymerization by (1,4)-β-linkages to form the polymer chitin. It is also a component of heterogenous polysaccharides, such as murein and hyaluronic acid. N-acetylglucosamine exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and is considered as a potential drug in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Its antiarthritic mode of mechanism involves the suppression of IL-1β (Interleuken-1β)-induced NO (nitric oxide), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and IL-6 production by inhibition of expression of iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) protein and mRNA.Pharmaceutical secondary standards for application in quality control, provide pharma laboratories and manufacturers with a convenient and cost-effective alternative to the preparation of in-house working standards.