[Arid_gardener] Hyaluronic acid

[Linda Drew]

"One of the newer forms of treatment is the replacement of synovial (joint) 
fluid within arthritic joints. This is helpful because during the 
progression of arthritis, this synovial fluid breaks down into smaller 
units, thereby decreasing its lubricating and shock absorbing abilities.

The backbone of the joint lubrication fluid is known as hyaluronic acid. 
Injectable forms exist and have been demonstrated to have a positive effect 
in reducing the pain of arthritis. Oral forms are also available but there 
currently is no proven evidence of its effectiveness. Administration of 
hyaluronic acid by injection directly into the knee is done in a series of 
three to five injections approximately one week apart. Its onset of action 
is often immediate, however several studies have found that most individuals 
do not benefit from the injections until after the final injection."
http://uconnsportsmed.uchc.edu/patientinfo/whathurts/treatment/hyaluronic_acid.html

"Until the late 1970s, hyaluronan was described as a "goo" molecule, a 
ubiquitous carbohydrate polymer that comprised the extracellular matrix. For 
example, hyaluronan is a major component of the extracellular matrix that 
constitutes synovial fluid. Along with lubricin, it is one of the fluid's 
main lubricating components. It helps protect joints by increasing the 
viscosity of the fluid and by making the cartilage between bones more 
elastic."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyaluronic_acid

I have no experience with this, but from my reading it appears
hyaluronic acid is a carbohydrate found in mammalian tissue and is
similar to glucosamin; I did not find any reference to its occurrence in 
plants.


>From: taysearch at yahoo.com
>To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
>Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>Date: Mon, 8 May 2006 15:53:52 -0700 (MST)
>
>Tommie Taylor
>85007
>taysearch at yahoo.com
>
>What plants, land or marine, contain hyaluronic acid?  Which ones can be 
>purchased in Phoenix, Arizona?  Which ones can be grown in a Phoenix 
>garden?
>
>
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