Systematic review of a marine nutriceutical supplement in clinical trials for arthritis: the effectiveness of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel Perna canaliculus.
BACKGROUND
Nutritional supplements, such as Seatone, which contain freeze-dried tissue from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel Perna canaliculus, are sold in many countries to relieve arthritic symptoms and to aid in the regeneration of arthritic and injured joints.


METHODS
Searches for all published controlled trials on the clinical effectiveness of green-lipped mussel, as a nutritional supplement with potential health benefits for arthritis, were carried out from four independent databases. No language restrictions were imposed, and the review was undertaken from extracted data and was assessed critically according to predefined criteria by the authors.


RESULTS
Reports of clinical studies, using freeze-dried mussel powder, show mixed outcome measures and are not conclusive, with only two of five randomized controlled trials attesting benefits for rheumatoid and osteoarthritis patients. Similarly, animal studies have likewise yielded mixed findings. In both these cases possibly due to the lack of stabilization of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, now known to be the basis of anti-inflammatory activity.


CONCLUSIONS
There is little consistent and compelling evidence, to date, in the therapeutic use of freeze-dried green-lipped mussel powder products for rheumatoid or osteoarthritis treatment, particularly in comparison to other cheaper alternative nutriceutical supplements of proven efficacy. However, further investigations are necessary to determine whether green-lipped mussel supplements, such as Seatone, are therapeutic options in the management of arthritis.
Cobb
Christopher S
CS
Complementary Medicine, Institute of Health and Social Care Research, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, 25 Victoria Park Road, Exeter, EX2 4NT, UK.
Ernst
Edzard
E
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014020:Tissue Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; C027023:Seatone; D014020:Tissue Extracts