Sodium hyaluronate of defined molecular size for treating osteoarthritis

Sodium hyaluronate has been widely used in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. In this communication we present the process of preparation of sodium hyaluronate of tailored molecular size with desired physico-chemical characteristics from bulk natural sodium hyaluronate, where the bulk material is obtained by extracting it from rooster combs. The physico-chemical properties of the bulk sodium hyaluronate and its various tailored fractions were studied. The bulk sodium hyaluronate was hydrolysed by steam under pressure, with variations in the process parameters, to attain the desired molecular size. The size-reduced sodium hyaluronate in the form of 1% solution in phosphate buffer had excellent rejuvenating effects when administered as intra-articular injection in osteoarthritis. More than 1500 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee have been treated with satisfactory results.