Study on the Bioactive Compounds of Shark (Prionace glauca) Cartilage and its Inflammatory Activity T.I.Agustin 1 , Wahyu S. 1 , and E. Yatmasari 2 1 Faculty Engineering and Marine Science, Hang Tuah University, Indonesia 2 Faculty of Medicine Hang Tuah University, Indonesia Abstract: The objective of the study was to identify the bioactive compounds of shark (Prionace glauca) cartilage and observe its antiinflammatory activity. This study was descriptive and used laboratory experiment separated into 3 phases: preparation and extraction, bioactive compound identification using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectroscopy, and in vivo antiinflammatory activity test using wistar rats. Results showed that IR-spectra of chondroitin and glucosamine isolated from the shark cartilage had very similar absorption peak to the standard glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate. The IR-spectra of standard chondroitin possessed strong absorption peak at the wavelength of 1627.87 cm -1 and 1413.72 cm -1 indicating that the presence of carboxyl groups with amine and sulphate. The mean percent of inflammatory inhibition was 13.40%, 4.02%, 4.15%, 3.88 % and 2.01 %, respectively, for indomethacine, shark cartilage powder,chondroitin extract, glucosamine extract and the combination of chondroitin-glucosamine extracts. The extract of chondroitin suphate had higher inflammatory activity than that of other treatments, but not significantly different from that of shark cartilage powder. Keywords: Shark cartilage, anti-inflammatory, in vivo. Introduction Indonesia is a maritime country of rich biopharmaceutical products. Sharks are one of the fishes possessing high number of species and believed to have compounds potential to anti-cancer. It has been used in either conventional form or in modern pack. The use of shark cartilage as medicine in Indonesia is uncommon yet. The fish is fished for their fins as delicious soup dish, while the flesh and cartilage are often wasted. Information on bioactive compound purificatiom and anti-angiogenic activity will increase the economic value of sharks 1 . Shark cartilage is composed of collagen, amino acid, mineral, and glycosaminoglycan. It contains more than 40% of pure collagen proteins plus essential amino acids and non essensial amino acids. Collalagen and amino acids are required for tissue elasticity, fissured skin, ligament, and tendon healing, and growth and rejuvenation of skin and connective tissues 2 . Previous study 3 revealed that shark cartilage held 30.74% proteins and 10,673.59 ppm of calcium. Total content of amino acid was 23.66% of protein, but its amino acid composition was higher than PAP (Provisional Amino Acid Pattern). Glucosamine and chondroitin are amino glucose as major components of shark cartilage. Both compounds act to stimulate the formation of glycosaminoglycan, proteoglycan, and hyaluronic acid. Clinical studies have revealed that glucosamine helps reducing arthritis symptomes. In short period, glucosamine has been tested and demonstrated effective symptoms osteoarthritis patients. Glucosamine could also take protective role against modification disease in osteoarthritis case by providing anti-cathabolic effect and anti-inflammatory activity on chondrocytes 4-6 . This International Journal of PharmTech Research CODEN (USA): IJPRIF, ISSN: 0974-4304 Vol.9, No.1, pp 171-178, 2016