Hyaluronan: an overview

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2017 Dec 27;31(4 Suppl 2):9-22.

Abstract

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polyanionic natural polymer occurring as a linear polysaccharide composed of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine repeats. Hyaluronic acid has a wide range of applications with its excellent physicochemical properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, non-immunogenicity and serves as an excellent tool in biomedical applications such as osteoarthritis surgery, ocular surgery, plastic surgery, tissue engineering and drug delivery. This work provides an overview on hyaluronic acid, its chemistry and biochemistry and its medical applications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism
  • Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
  • Osteoarthritis / surgery
  • Surgery, Plastic
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Hyaluronic Acid