Sulphated hyaluronic acid for treating degenerative osteoarthritis

Abstract

This invention relates to oral and intra-articular formulations based on sulphated hyaluronic acid which are effective in the treatment of degenerative osteoarthritis.

1 . Pharmaceutical composition containing sulphated hyaluronic acid for the prevention and/or treatment of cartilage damage caused by degenerative osteoarthritis and/or wear due to aging of the joint structure. 
   
   
       2 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid is between 50.000 and 800.000 D. 
   
   
       3 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid is between 100.000 and 230.000 D. 
   
   
       4 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the molecular weight of the hyaluronic acid is between 500.000 and 750.000 D. 
   
   
       5 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the degree of sulphation of the sulphated hyaluronic acid is between 0.5 and 3.5. 
   
   
       6 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the degree of sulphation of the sulphated hyaluronic acid is between 0.5 and 1.5. 
   
   
       7 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is produced by extraction, fermentation or technological means. 
   
   
       8 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , containing collagen and/or hydrolysed collagen and/or glycosaminoglycans. 
   
   
       9 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , containing pharmacologically and/or biologically active substances. 
   
   
       10 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the pharmacologically and/or biologically active substances are selected from the group of vitamins and/or mineral salts and/or hormones and/or antibiotics and/or growth factors. 
   
   
       11 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , for the prevention and/or oral treatment of cartilage damage caused by degenerative osteoarthritis and/or wear due to aging of the joint structure. 
   
   
       12 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the concentration of sulphated hyaluronic acid is between 75 and 400 mg per dose unit. 
   
   
       13 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 1 , for the intra-articular treatment of cartilage damage caused by degenerative osteoarthritis and/or wear due to aging of the joint structure. 
   
   
       14 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the concentration of sulphated hyaluronic acid is between 1 and 100 mg/ml. 
   
   
       15 . Pharmaceutical composition as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the concentration of sulphated hyaluronic acid is between 10 and 20 mg/ml. 
   
   
       16 . Use of sulphated hyaluronic acid as claimed in  claim 1  for the preparation of formulations suitable for the prevention and/or oral treatment of cartilage damage caused by degenerative osteoarthritis and/or wear due to aging of the joint structure. 
   
   
       17 . Use of sulphated hyaluronic acid as claimed in  claim 1  to prepare injectable formulations suitable for the intra-articular treatment of cartilage damage caused by degenerative osteoarthritis and/or wear due to aging of the joint structure.