Multiple Functions of Sodium Hyaluronate

From skincare to medicine, joint care to genetic engineering, sodium hyaluronate has become an indispensable part of modern technology and daily life.

Fig 1. Wide range of uses for hyaluronic acid

–A Multifunctional Skincare Ingredient

Sodium hyaluronate is a star in skincare products. It boasts excellent moisturizing properties, repairs the skin barrier, and fights aging. It quickly increases the skin’s water content, restoring its radiance. Whether it’s a luxury serum or an affordable mask, you’re likely to find its presence.

Read more: Hyaluronic Acid vs Glycerin: Which is More Hydrating

–A Star Ingredient in the Beauty Industry

It is not only a key ingredient in skincare but also a celebrity in the beauty field. From injectable fillers and skin tightening to restoring elasticity, sodium hyaluronate plays a crucial role.

— A Key Component of Artificial Tears

For modern individuals who spend extended periods staring at screens, dry eye syndrome has become a common issue. Sodium hyaluronate, with its excellent lubricating and moisturizing properties, is widely used in artificial tears, effectively alleviating eye discomfort and fatigue.

Read more: From Surgery to Daily Care: The Versatile Role of Sodium Hyaluronate in Eye Health

— A Miracle Ingredient for Joint Pain Relief

Joint problems are often caused by the loss of hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid. Sodium hyaluronate is used in joint injection solutions to provide lubrication, reduce friction and pain, and restore mobility for osteoarthritis patients.

— Significant Applications in Medicine

In surgeries, sodium hyaluronate serves as a tissue filler or drug carrier, accelerating tissue healing and reducing inflammation. Additionally, it is used in wound repair and oral care, demonstrating extraordinary medical value.

How Molecular Weight Affects Sodium Hyaluronate Uses

The molecular weight of sodium hyaluronate determines its characteristics in absorption, penetration, lubrication, and repair, making it a crucial reference for its specific applications.

Fig 2. HA with different molecular weights has different permeability

–High Molecular Weight HA: Preferred for Barrier and Lubrication

High molecular weight (>1,800 kDa) sodium hyaluronate tends to remain on the surface, forming a viscoelastic film.

• Joint Treatment: In osteoarthritis therapy, it enhances the viscoelasticity of joint fluid, reduces friction, and alleviates pain.
• Ophthalmology: Its lubricating properties protect the cornea and alleviate discomfort in dry eyes, particularly for contact lens wearers.
• Food Industry: Used as a food additive to improve oral and esophageal lubrication, aiding those with swallowing difficulties.

— Medium Molecular Weight HA: Balanced Properties for Broad Applications

Medium molecular weight (200–1,800 kDa) sodium hyaluronate offers a balance of surface action and penetration.

• Medical Dressings: Exhibits excellent tissue repair properties for burns and wounds, covering surfaces while promoting regeneration.
• Drug Delivery: Used as a matrix material for drug delivery systems, enabling slow drug release and improved bioavailability.

— Low Molecular Weight HA: Core for Penetration and Repair

Low molecular weight (5-200 kDa) sodium hyaluronate has excellent penetration properties, reaching deep into tissues or cells.

Aesthetic Treatments: Used for deep tissue filling in injections, such as correcting depressions or scar repair.

• Drug Development: Its penetration performance makes it an effective drug carrier for cancer and immune regulation treatments.
• Anti-inflammatory and Immune Regulation: It modulates inflammatory responses, aiding in pathological inflammation suppression in immunological research and therapies.

— Ultra-Low Molecular Weight HA: Exploring Frontier Functions

Ultra-low molecular weight (<5 kDa) sodium hyaluronate has drawn attention in modern medicine and biotechnology.

• Gene Therapy: Serves as a new type of gene delivery vector, efficiently transporting gene fragments into nuclei for gene editing and cancer treatment.
• Anti-Aging Research: Directly activates repair mechanisms at the cellular level, potentially reversing aging processes.

Table 1. Comparison of high, medium, low, and ultra-low molecular weight hyaluronic acid: HA with different molecular weights has different water solubility, viscoelasticity, and uses.

Read more: Comparative Analysis of Hyaluronic Acid with Different Molecular Weights

Production Method: Microbial Fermentation

The microbial fermentation method employs microorganisms such as streptococci to produce sodium hyaluronate through fermentation. This process is more eco-friendly and safer than traditional animal tissue extraction, avoiding allergic risks from animal sources. It also allows precise control of molecular weight and purity, meeting diverse industry needs.

Read more: How is Hyaluronic Acid Powder Made

Derivatives of Hyaluronic Acid

To expand the applications of sodium hyaluronate, scientists have developed various derivatives through chemical modifications. For example, cross-linked hyaluronic acid is a derivative where molecular chains are connected with cross-linking agents to form a more stable 3D network structure.

These modifications significantly enhance its resistance to degradation while maintaining elasticity and water retention. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid is primarily used in long-lasting cosmetic fillers for wrinkle removal and shaping. It is also used in joint cavity injections to increase lubrication and alleviate pain.

Stanford Chemical Company (SCC) is a pioneer in the development of hyaluronic acid. Products include food-grade, medical-grade, cosmetic-grade, injectable-grade hyaluronic acid, and hyaluronic acid derivatives (Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate and Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid Gel). We can also provide customers with customized molecular-weight sodium hyaluronate powder. For more information or specific applications, please visit our homepage.

The post Sodium Hyaluronate: Uses, Molecular Weight, Production and Derivatives appeared first on Stanford Chemicals.

Since its discovery, hyaluronic acid (HA) has garnered significant interest from scientists. Despite its simple chemical structure, its biological functions are extensive. Today, hyaluronic acid is widely used in cosmetics to moisturize the skin and reduce wrinkles. In aesthetic medicine, it is used as a dermal filler to add volume to facial wrinkles and hollow areas. In ophthalmic surgery, it serves as a viscoelastic agent for cataract and glaucoma surgeries, providing protection and lubrication for the eyes. In the field of orthopedics, it is used in intra-articular injections to help relieve osteoarthritis for several months. Sodium hyaluronate can be used in different fields such as skin care, medical treatment, and beauty, thanks to the different molecular weights of hyaluronic products.

Hyaluronic Acid Molecular Weight

Molecular Weight of Hyaluronic Acid

–What is the Molecular Weight of Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring polysaccharide molecule found in human tissues. Its molecular weight (M.W) is usually measured in Daltons (Da). The molecular weight of HA can vary greatly, ranging from a few thousand Daltons to several million Daltons. Common hyaluronic products are typically classified into high molecular weight, medium molecular weight, low molecular weight, and oligomeric hyaluronic acid based on their molecular weight.

–Methods for Measuring the Molecular Weight of HA

Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC): GPC is one of the primary methods for measuring the molecular mass of HA. In this method, the sample is passed through a series of gel columns that separate molecules based on their size. The separated hyaluronic acid molecules are then detected in a detector to determine their molecular weight.

Light Scattering: Light scattering is another commonly used method for measuring the M.W of sodium hyaluronate. In this method, the hyaluronic acid sample solution is exposed to a laser beam, and its M.W is calculated based on the scattering pattern of the molecules.

Viscometry: This method determines the M.W of hyaluronic acid by measuring the viscosity of its solution. The molecular mass of hyaluronic acid correlates with its flow properties in solution, allowing the estimation of M.W through viscosity measurements.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR): NMR can also be used to measure the M.W of sodium hyaluronate. By observing the NMR signals of a hyaluronic acid sample in a magnetic field, its molecular weight and molecular structure can be inferred.

Types of Hyaluronic Acid by Molecular Weight

1. High Molecular Weight HA:

• The M.W is higher than 1,800KDa
• Forms a breathable film on the skin surface, locking in moisture and preventing evaporation, providing long-lasting hydration.
• Poor penetration, does not absorb into the skin.

2. Medium Molecular Weight Sodium Hyaluronate:

• The M.W is between 200KDa and 1,800KDa.
• Forms a breathable film on the skin surface, locking in moisture and tightening the skin.

3. Low Molecular Weight Hyaluronic Acid:

• The M.W is between 5KDa and 200KDa.
• Penetrates the dermis layer of the skin, locking in moisture and promoting skin metabolism, making the skin moist, smooth, delicate, and elastic.
• Poor water retention ability on the skin surface.

4. Oligomeric Hyaluronic Acid:

• The M.W is less than 5KDa
• Composed of less than 50 monosaccharide units, with a degree of polymerization of less than 25, it can deeply penetrate the dermis layer.

Table 1 Comparison of HA with Different Molecular Weights

Table 1 compares the differences of hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights from the four dimensions of molecular weight, water solubility, moisturizing effect and durability.

Stanford Chemicals Company (SCC) is at the forefront of hyaluronic acid development, offering sodium hyaluronate powder in various molecular weights. For more information or specific applications, please visit our home page.

Common Applications of Hyaluronic Acid with Different Molecular Weights

There is currently a general view that the biological effects of hyaluronic acid depend largely on molecular mass. In the same way, hyaluronic acid is widely used in different fields depending on its molecular mass.

–Main Applications of High Molecular Weight HA

High molecular weight hyaluronic acid is mainly used in the fields of lubrication and moisturizing. It has strong moisturizing properties and biocompatibility, and is often used in medicine and cosmetics.

• Ophthalmic surgery: High molecular weight hyaluronic acid is often used as a viscoelastic agent in ophthalmic surgery (such as cataract surgery), where it can provide good lubrication and protection.
• Joint lubricant: In the treatment of osteoarthritis, as an intra-articular injection (such as SYNVISC), high molecular mass hyaluronic acid can improve the viscoelasticity of joint fluid, relieve pain and improve joint function.

–Main Applications of Medium Molecular Weight HA

Medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid is mainly used in the field of moisturizing and repairing. It has moderate moisturizing effect and good transdermal absorption, and is widely used in skin care products and medical dressings.

• Skin care products: For example, hyaluronic acid used in facial creams and essences can help the skin retain moisture, enhance skin barrier function, and promote cell regeneration.
• Medical dressings: Medium molecular mass hyaluronic acid is often used in burn and wound dressings to provide a moisturizing environment and promote wound healing.

–Main Applications of Low Molecular Weight HA

Low molecular weight HA is mainly used in the fields of permeability and anti-aging. It has better permeability and biological activity, and can penetrate deeper into the skin to stimulate cell activity.

• Anti-aging products: such as anti-wrinkle essences and eye creams. Low molecular mass hyaluronic acid can penetrate deep into the dermis, promote collagen production, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
• Oral supplements: Some oral hyaluronic acid supplements are designed to be absorbed through the intestines to improve skin hydration and anti-aging effects throughout the body.

–Main Applications of Oligomeric Molecular Weight HA

Oligomeric molecular weight HA is mainly used for deep moisturizing and repair. It has very high biological activity, can quickly penetrate the skin, and plays a role in cell repair and immune regulation.

• Deep moisturizing essence: In high-end skin care products, oligomeric molecular mass hyaluronic acid is often used as an active ingredient, quickly penetrating into the bottom layer of the skin to provide deep hydration.
• Regenerative repair products: such as post-traumatic repair cream or post-operative care products, oligomeric molecular mass hyaluronic acid can quickly repair the skin barrier and promote wound healing.

Conclusion

Hyaluronic acid is categorized into high molecular weight, medium molecular weight, low molecular weight, and oligomeric hyaluronic acid based on its M.W. Each type of HA, due to its unique physical and chemical properties, plays a distinct and important role in medicine and skincare products.

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