The disclosure relates to an orally administrable composition comprising avocado/soybean unsaponifiables and lipoic acid (abstract figure) or derivatives thereof. The composition may include 5-[1,2]-dithiolan-3-yl-pentanoic acid 3-(5-[1,2]-dithiolan-3-yl-pentanoyloxy)-propyl ester； 5-[1,2]-dithiolan-3-ylpentanoic acid 3-(5-[1,2]-dithiolan-3-yl-pentanoylamino)-propyl-amide； coumarinlipoic acid conjugates； 5-[1,2]dithiolan-3-yl-pentanoic acid [1-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-1H-indole-5-yl]-amide； N-lactobionyl-Ne-(5-[1,2]-dithiolan-3-yl-penoyl)-L-lysinyl-1H,1H,2H-perfluorooctylamide； 1,2-diselenolane-3-pentanoic acid； and 1,2-dithiolane derivatives of lipoic acid containing catechol moieties linked through heteroaromatic rings. The disclosure also relates to the use of these compositions in preventing, treating, repairing, protecting, or reducing damage to connective tissues or reducing symptoms associated with damage to connective tissue and reducing levels of one or more inflammatory mediators in connective tissue.
