Related Terms

• Betain, brevetoxin B analog B4, BTXB4, chondroitin sulfate, eicosatetraenoic acids, freeze-dried mussel powder, glycosaminoglycans, green lipped mussel, Green Lips®, green shell mussel, Greenback®, Greenshell®, Greenshell® Mussel, heparin, Lyprinol®, marine oils, mollusk, Mytilidae (family), New Zealand green-lipped mussel, okadaic acid, pectenotoxins, Perna canaliculus, pernin, shellfish lipid extract, Seatone, sterol esters, yessotoxins.

Background

• The green-lipped mussel is native to the New Zealand coast and is a staple in the diet of the indigenous Maori culture. The anti-inflammatory effects of green-lipped mussel have been studied since the observation of a lower incidence of arthritis in coastal Maoris compared with European or inland Maori people.

• Products containing green-lipped mussel are used to treat inflammatory conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence of an effect in asthma and osteoarthritis is unclear, while evidence suggests green-lipped mussel is not effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Abortion inducing, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, breast cancer, connective tissue disorders, eye disorders (retinal disorders), heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory joint disease (bursitis, ankylosing spondylitis), Lyme disease, menstrual pain, mucositis (inflammation of mucus membranes of the digestive tract), multiple sclerosis, nerve disorders, prostate cancer, psoriasis, skin inflammation (atopic dermatitis), sports injuries, systemic lupus erythematosus (prevention), ulcers (NSAID-induced).

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

• Two capsules of Lyprinol® (containing 50 milligrams of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 100 milligrams olive oil per capsule) has been used twice daily for eight weeks for asthma.

• For the treatment of osteoarthritis, the following doses have been used: 1,050 milligrams green-lipped mussel extract (three capsules) daily for three to six months; six capsules Seatone daily for six months; 210 milligrams Lyprinol® (or 1,150 milligrams green-lipped mussel powder) daily for three to six months; four capsules Lyprinol® daily for two months followed by four months of two capsules daily.

• For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the following doses have been used: 210 milligrams Lyprinol® daily for three to six months; Sanhelios Mussel Lyprinol® Lipid Complex (containing Lyprinol and omega-3 fatty acids) for 12 weeks.

Children (under 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for green-lipped mussel in children.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• Avoid with allergy or sensitivity to green-lipped mussel or other shellfish. Allergy symptoms may include rash (itching and hives), swelling of the face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Green-lipped mussel is generally considered safe. Adverse effects that have been associated with green-lipped mussel include metallic taste, nausea, stomach upset, intestinal gas, skin rash, fluid retention, gout, lung dysfunction, respiratory symptoms, heart failure, abnormal liver function, toxic hepatitis, neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, and temporary worsening of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

• Use with caution in patients taking anti-inflammatory drugs, herbs, or supplements, as green-lipped mussel may enhance both the effects and the side effects of these agents.

• Use with caution in patients with asthma due to the risk of lung dysfunction and other respiratory symptoms. Avoid in patients with liver disease due to potential toxic hepatitis associated with green-lipped mussel.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Green-lipped mussel is not recommended in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Green-lipped mussel may add to the effects of anti-asthma agents, leukotriene receptor antagonists, agents that affect the immune system, uterotrophic agents, and antihistamines. In addition, green-lipped mussel may interact with corticosteroids, particularly pentoxifylline (Pentoxil®). Green-lipped mussel may add to the effects and side effects of anti-inflammatory agents.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Green-lipped mussel may add to the effects of anti-asthma herbs and supplements, leukotriene receptor antagonists, herbs and supplements that affect the immune system, antihistamines, and uterotrophic herbs and supplements. In addition, green-lipped mussel may interact with omega-3 fatty acids. Green-lipped mussel may add to the effects and side effects of anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. Cho SH, Jung YB, Seong SC, et al. Clinical efficacy and safety of Lyprinol, a patented extract from New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna Canaliculus) in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a multicenter 2-month clinical trial. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol 2003;35(6):212-216. View Abstract

2. Butters DE, Whitehouse MW. Treating inflammation: some (needless) difficulties for gaining acceptance of effective natural products and traditional medicines. Inflammopharmacology. 2003;11(1):97-110. View Abstract

3. Ferreira SH. Proposal to use pentoxifylline and Lyprinol therapy for chronic inflammatory diseases. Inflammopharmacology. 2005;13(5-6):429-430. View Abstract

4. Gruenwald J, Graubaum H, Hansen K, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a combination of LYPRINOL and high concentrations of EPA and DHA in inflammatory rheumatoid disorders... eicosapentaenoic acid... decosahexaenoid acid. Advances in Therapy 2004;21(3):197-201.

5. Halliday J. Not all green lipped mussel extracts are created equal. NutraIngredients.com Europe 2008.

6. Ishida H, Nozawa A, Nukaya H, et al. Confirmation of brevetoxin metabolism in cockle, Austrovenus stutchburyi, and greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, associated with New Zealand neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, by controlled exposure to Karenia brevis culture. Toxicon 2004;43(6):701-712. View Abstract

7. Lau S, Chiu PK, Chu EMY., et al. Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with Lyprinol, lipid extract of the green-lipped mussel - a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Progress in Nutrition 2004;61(17):17-31.

8. Mani S, Lawson JW. In vitro modulation of inflammatory cytokine and IgG levels by extracts of Perna canaliculus. BMC Complement Altern Med 2006;6:1. View Abstract

9. McPhee S, Hodges LD, Wright PF, et al. Anti-cyclooxygenase effects of lipid extracts from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol.Biol 2007;146(3):346-356. View Abstract

10. Miles CO, Wilkins AL, Munday R, et al. Isolation of pectenotoxin-2 from Dinophysis acuta and its conversion to pectenotoxin-2 seco acid, and preliminary assessment of their acute toxicities. Toxicon 2004;43(1):1-9. View Abstract

11. Tenikoff D, Murphy KJ, Le M, et al. Lyprinol (stabilised lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel): a potential preventative treatment modality for inflammatory bowel disease. J Gastroenterol 2005;40(4):361-365. View Abstract

12. Torres DM, Tooley KL, Butler RN, et al. Lyprinol only partially improves indicators of small intestinal integrity in a rat model of 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis. Cancer Biol Ther 2008;7(2):295-302. View Abstract

13. Yuan G, Wahlqvist ML, He G, et al. Natural products and anti-inflammatory activity. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2006;15(2):143-152. View Abstract

14. Whitehouse MW. Prostanoids as friends, not foes: further evidence from the interference by cycloxygenase-inhibitory drugs when inducing tolerance to experimental arthritigens in rats. Inflammopharmacology. 2005;12(5-6):481-492. View Abstract

15. Whitehouse MW. Anti-TNF-alpha therapy for chronic inflammation: reconsidering pentoxifylline as an alternative to therapeutic protein drugs. Inflammopharmacology. 2004;12(3):223-227. View Abstract