New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel

Scientific Name(s): Perna canaliculus
Common Name(s): Lyprinol (stabilized lipid extract), New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Seatone (freeze-dried preparation)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 21, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Limited clinical studies suggest that Perna mussel extracts may have efficacy in the treatment of diseases with inflammatory components, such as arthritis and asthma. However, conflicting trial results have been reported.

Dosing

Limited clinical trial data are available to inform therapeutic dosing. In arthritis and asthma trials, various dosages from multi-ingredient commercial preparations have been described, making it difficult to establish dosing recommendations.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to shellfish. Use with caution in individuals with hepatic impairment.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Animal studies suggest that components of Perna extracts may have adverse effects on a fetus.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

GI discomfort and transient worsening of arthritic pain have been noted. Hepatic dysfunction has also been recorded, but the incidence appears to be low. Long-term exposure has resulted in occupational asthma in workers in mussel processing plants.

Toxicology

No data.

Scientific Family

• Mytilidae

Source

There are 2 green mussel species: P. canaliculus is found in the temperate waters of New Zealand, whereas Perna viridis occurs widely throughout the Indo-Pacific region, which includes Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Green mussels are farmed commercially in Thailand and the Philippines, although New Zealand is regarded as the major exporter.FAO 1988

History

Shellfish supplements have been used as traditional remedies for arthritis, in particular by the indigenous Maori people of New Zealand. Initial studies were limited by problems in the extraction processes, as activity is lost in heat treatment or freeze drying.Brien 2008, Doggrell 2011

Chemistry

Although composition of the lipid fraction varies, possibly because of differing methods of collection, transport, and storage time, it is usually approximately 8% of the freeze-dried weight.Murphy 2003 Triglycerides form the largest fraction, followed by free fatty acids, sterols, and phospholipids. Low levels of sterol esters are found in some samples. Fatty acids are predominantly polyunsaturated, mostly in the form of omega-3 (40% of total polyunsaturated fatty acids). Omega-6 fatty acids are present at far lower levels (about 5% of total polyunsaturated fatty acids). The major identified fatty acids are docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and palmitic acids. Cholesterol is the major sterol (31% of total sterols), with smaller proportions of desmosterol/brassicasterol, 24-methylenecholesterol, trans-22-dehydrocholesterol, nordehydrocholesterol, and occelastrol.Murphy 2003 Glycosaminoglycans, a group of unbranched carbohydrates of high molecular weight, are also present; chondroitin sulfate is of particular interest.

Pernin, a nonpigmented glycosylated protein, has been identified in the Perna mussel, and is rich in histidine and aspartic acid. Potential functions for this protein may be in binding divalent cations and serine protease inhibition.Scotti 2001 Freeze-dried Perna mussel powder contains the amino acids glutamine and methionine, vitamins E and C, and the minerals zinc, coppe...