Clinical evidence of glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine for COVID-19 prophylaxis and treatment

Abstract

Both glucosamine (GlcN) and its derivative N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (NAG) are amino monosaccharides, widely used to treat osteoarthritis (OA) as dietary supplements. Recent clinical trials such as MOVES and LEGS confirmed the efficacy of glucosamine for knee OA. In addition, PROOF trial showed the efficacy of GlcN to prevent knee OA. Regarding COVID-19, it was reported that habitual use of glucosamine was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission and mortality with COVID-19, but not the risk of SARSCoV-2 infection. In this review, the clinical significance of GlcN and NAG for COVID-19 prophylaxis were discussed.