PSGAG has been reported to inhibit some catabolic enzymes such as elastase, stromelysin, metalloproteases, cathepsin B1, and hyaluronidases, which degrade collagen, proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid in degenerative joint disease.
Anabolic effects studied include ability to stimulate the synthesis of protein, collagen, proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid in various cells and tissues in vitro.