Cartilage production promoter and prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with cartilage damage

Abstract

Disclosed is a therapy which is for preventing or treating cartilage damage and diseases associated with cartilage damage, such as arthritides and osteoarthritis, and utilizes a more effective and more safe medicinal agent. Specifically disclosed are a cartilage production promoter, a glucosaminoglycan and/or proteoglycan production promoter, and a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for diseases associated with cartilage damage, each of which comprises fucoidan as an active ingredient.

1 . A chondrogenesis promoter comprising a fucoidan as an effective component. 
     
     
         2 . The chondrogenesis promoter according to  claim 1 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 8,000 to 400,000. 
     
     
         3 . The chondrogenesis promoter according to  claim 1 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 150,000. 
     
     
         4 . A glycosaminoglycan and/or proteoglycan production promoter comprising a fucoidan as an effective component. 
     
     
         5 . The glycosaminoglycan and/or proteoglycan production promoter according to  claim 2 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 8,000 to 400,000. 
     
     
         6 . The glycosaminoglycan and/or proteoglycan production promoter according to  claim 2 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 150,000. 
     
     
         7 . A pharmaceutical or veterinary medical agent composition for preventing or treating a cartilage damage and a disease due to a cartilage damage, comprising a fucoidan as an effective component. 
     
     
         8 . The pharmaceutical or veterinary medical agent composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 8,000 to 400,000. 
     
     
         9 . The pharmaceutical or veterinary medical agent composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 150,000. 
     
     
         10 . Use of a fucoidan in a production of a pharmaceutical or veterinary medical agent composition for preventing or treating a cartilage damage and a disease due to a cartilage damage. 
     
     
         11 . The use according to  claim 10 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 8,000 to 400,000. 
     
     
         12 . The use according to  claim 10 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 150,000. 
     
     
         13 . A method for preventing or treating a cartilage damage or a disease due to a cartilage damage, which comprises administering a fucoidan in an effective amount to an animal. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 8,000 to 400,000. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the fucoidan has a molecular weight of 50,000 to 150,000.