D-Glucosamine-2-sulfate (GlcN-2S), a sulfate derivative of glucosamine, is derived from chitin and has anti-inflammatory effects. In vitro, it reduces expression of inflammatory markers, including IL-1β, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α in IL-1β-activated human chondrosarcoma SW1353 cells at a minimum effective concentration of 1 μM. At the same concentration, it limits expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5), both markers of matrix degradation. Treating human primary chondrocytes with GlcN-2S stimulates proteoglycan production at a dose of 10 μg/mL and adhesion to fibronectin at a concentration of 50 μM.