Shark cartilage has been investigated for use in treating cancer; however, clinical data is lacking to support a place in therapy. A role in the management of psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis has been suggested.
Shark cartilage is composed of approximately 40% protein (troponin-I, tetranectin-type protein, collagenase, cartilage-derived inhibitor, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases), 5% to 20% glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate-D, chondroitin-6-sulfate, keratin sulfate), calcium salts, and glycoproteins (sphyrnastatin-1 and 2, galactosamines, glucosamine)