Green-lipped mussel
A systematic review pooling 5 osteoarthritis trials found moderately lower pain than control, while an older review called the powder evidence inconsistent. Small asthma trials reported less wheeze and less airway narrowing after a breathing challenge. CRP did not change in a 2026 knee trial. Case reports describe hepatitis and a shellfish-type allergy.
Add to Bio HackChecked 2026-11-09
- Status
- Dietary supplement in the US. Not FDA-approved as a drug for any condition.
- Also called
- Perna canaliculus, New Zealand green-lipped mussel, greenshell mussel, GLM, Lyprinol, PCSO-524, Omega XL, Seatone, green-lipped mussel powder, green-lipped mussel oil
- Taken for
- osteoarthritis, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, asthma, inflammation
Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on
Shown to help2
What people take it for, and what was found
Shown to help2
Osteoarthritis
Shown to lower osteoarthritis pain modestly in adults, with about 20 mm less pain on a visual scale in one 12-week knee trial.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A 2021 systematic review of 9 trials pooled 5 and found lower pain scores with green-lipped mussel lipid extract or whole powder (effect size -0.46, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.10, p 0.01) [1]. A 2008 review of 4 RCTs found that the two more rigorous trials, with a re-analysis of their data, suggested benefit over placebo in mild to moderate osteoarthritis [2]. In 100 adults with knee osteoarthritis, 1,000 mg of powder a day for 12 weeks lowered VAS pain by 19.93 mm more than placebo (95% CI -25.31 to -14.55) and improved function. The WOMAC total score difference was significant per protocol (-3.66, p 0.032) and not by intention to treat (p 0.061) [3].
- Population
- Adults with osteoarthritis [1], mild to moderate osteoarthritis on conventional medicines [2], and 100 adults with knee osteoarthritis [3].
- Sources
- [1], [2], [3]
- Caveats
- The 2021 review called the evidence limited by the number and quality of studies [1]. The 2008 review excluded two trials for possible unblinding and inappropriate analysis [2]. An older review found that only 2 of 5 RCTs of freeze-dried powder reported benefit [4].
Asthma
Small trials found less wheeze and less airway narrowing after challenge in people with asthma. A review found the evidence insufficient.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 46 people with atopic asthma not on steroids, 2 capsules of Lyprinol twice a day for 8 weeks reduced daytime wheeze and exhaled hydrogen peroxide and raised morning peak flow against an olive oil placebo [5]. In a crossover trial of 20 people with asthma, 3 weeks of PCSO-524 cut the maximum fall in FEV1 after hyperventilation challenge to 8.4%, against 22.5% on placebo, and lowered rescue medication use [6]. A 2026 systematic review of 20 studies listed PCSO-524 among supplements with a possible favorable signal for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction [7].
- Population
- 46 adults with atopic asthma [5], and 20 adults with asthma and hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction [6].
- Sources
- [5], [6], [7]
- Caveats
- The review noted small samples and lack of independent replication, and found the evidence insufficient [7].
Mixed results1
Rheumatoid arthritis
Limited evidence: 2 of 5 trials of freeze-dried mussel powder reported benefit in rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A 2006 systematic review of controlled trials of freeze-dried mussel powder found mixed results, with 2 of 5 RCTs reporting benefit for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis patients, and called the evidence little and inconsistent [4].
- Population
- Adults with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis [4].
- Sources
- [4]
- Caveats
- The abstract does not give how many trials were in rheumatoid arthritis alone or their sizes [4].
Not shown to help1
Inflammation markers (CRP)
Small trials found no change in CRP in knee osteoarthritis, and lower airway inflammation markers in asthma.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- In 100 adults with knee osteoarthritis, CRP and ESR did not differ between powder and placebo after 12 weeks [3]. In the asthma crossover trial, airway markers including cysteinyl leukotrienes and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath fell on PCSO-524 against placebo [6].
- Population
- 100 adults with knee osteoarthritis [3] and 20 adults with asthma [6].
- Sources
- [3], [6]
- Caveats
- Two small trials measuring different markers. No meta-analysis of inflammation markers was located.
Doses studied
The asthma trial used 2 capsules of Lyprinol twice a day, each with 50 mg omega-3 fatty acids, for 8 weeks [5]. The knee trial used 1,000 mg of whole mussel powder a day for 12 weeks [3]. The PCSO-524 crossover trial gave it for 3 weeks [6].
Risks
Reported risks2
Liver injury
Case reports: a 76-year-old woman taking Lyprinol developed acute hepatitis reported as caused by the extract.
Allergy
Case reports: a woman had immediate eye, nose and breathing symptoms after inhaling green-lipped mussel powder.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A 54-year-old woman developed immediate eye, nose and breathing symptoms after inhaling green-lipped mussel powder she gave her dog. Skin prick testing was positive, and her IgE bound mussel actin, tropomyosin and paramyosin [9].
- Population
- One case report [9].
- Sources
- [9]
- Caveats
- A single case of inhaled exposure, not oral use.
Checked, no increase found1
Adverse events in trials
Side effects were uncommon in small, short osteoarthritis and asthma trials, and no clinically meaningful safety concerns were found.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Green-lipped mussel extract was generally well tolerated in most osteoarthritis studies, and whole extract improved stomach symptoms in patients taking anti-inflammatory drugs [1]. No significant side effects occurred in the 8-week asthma trial [5], and no clinically meaningful safety concerns were found in the 12-week knee trial [3].
- Population
- Trial participants with osteoarthritis and asthma [1][3][5].
- Sources
- [1], [3], [5]
- Caveats
- Trials were small and short.
Claims tested and not found
- That green-lipped mussel lowers CRP. CRP did not differ from placebo after 12 weeks in 100 adults with knee osteoarthritis [3].
Sources
- Abshirini M, Coad J, Wolber FM, et al. Green-lipped (greenshell) mussel (Perna canaliculus) extract supplementation in treatment of osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Inflammopharmacology. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-021-00801-2
- Brien S, Prescott P, Coghlan B, et al. Systematic review of the nutritional supplement Perna Canaliculus (green-lipped mussel) in the treatment of osteoarthritis. QJM. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcm108
- Kim HT, Shin BJ, Lee YW, et al. Efficacy and safety of green-lipped mussel powder supplementation in adults with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-026-05465-5
- Cobb CS, Ernst E. Systematic review of a marine nutriceutical supplement in clinical trials for arthritis: the effectiveness of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel Perna canaliculus. Clinical Rheumatology. 2006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-005-0001-8
- Emelyanov A, Fedoseev G, Krasnoschekova O, et al. Treatment of asthma with lipid extract of New Zealand green-lipped mussel: a randomised clinical trial. European Respiratory Journal. 2002. https://doi.org/10.1183/09031936.02.02632001
- Mickleborough TD, Vaughn CL, Shei RJ, et al. Marine lipid fraction PCSO-524 (lyprinol/omega XL) of the New Zealand green lipped mussel attenuates hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma. Respiratory Medicine. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2013.04.010
- Su M, Sun R, Shan C. Dietary modification and nutritional supplements for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Physiology. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2026.1975449
- Abdulazim A, Hädrich M, Montani M, Semmo N. Acute Hepatitis Induced by Lyprinol, the Lipid Extract of the Green-Lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus), in a Patient with Polyarthrosis. Case Reports in Hepatology. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/135146
- Kage P, Schubert K, Treudler R, et al. Identification of New Potential Allergens from Green-lipped Mussel (Perna Canaliculus). Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2023. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v21i6.11532