[Physiologic importance of glucosamine]

The paper reviews the present state of the problem on the physiological importance of D-(+)-glucosamine, an amino sugar. Glucosamine is shown to be a component of many biological important systems widely spread in nature. It is a part of the connective tissues, membranes, lipopolysaccharides and mucopolysaccharides and participates in detoxic function of the liver and kidneys. The data from literature reviewed permit concluding that glucosamine and its derivatives are potentially useful and possess antiinflammatory, liver-defending, antihypoxic and other pharmacological activities.