Compositions and methods of preparing compositions containing hyaluronic
acid derived from eggshell membrane are disclosed. The compositions can contain
essentially pure hyaluronic acid or hyaluronic acid in combination with other naturally
occurring constituents derived from eggshell membrane. In another aspect, the invention
is directed to a method of treating a mammal that will benefit from the administration
of hyaluronic acid, which includes administering to the mammal a composition containing
hyaluronic acid derived from eggshell membrane.