FLEXING A MUSSEL AGAINST ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS

Perna canaliculus extract may be an effective adjunct to treatment Safer and more effective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are constantly being searched for. A preparation of the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. has recently stimulated some interest in this regard. At a homeopathic hospital in Glasgow, 28 patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 38 with osteoarthritis participated in a double-blind crossover trial in which the mussel extract was compared with placebo. Patients were randomly allocated to Perna canaliculus extract or placebo for 3 months, and the alternative treatments were then taken for the next 3 months. Three capsules daily (l 050mg) were use<Jini~ially. All patients continued to t8.ke their normal regimens of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents while in the study.

• At the end ~f6 m~nths, 19 of the 28 RA patients (67.9%) and 15 ofthe 38 osteoarthritis patients 09.5 %)'appeared to benefit significantly in assessments of morning stiffness, pain relief, functional index and walking time.

• Several patients were satisfactorily maintained on 2 capsules (700mg) daily. • Night pain, normally experienced by 46 of the patients, was relieved in 17 (37%)on the mussel extract, but in only 2

(4.3 %) on placebo.

• Grip strength did not improve significantly in RA patients on either treatment. • Six patients had an increase in symptom severity 2-4 w~ks after starting the mussel extract. Two patients experienCed

increased stiffness, which disappeared in 2-3 weeks. • Side effects of active treatment included nausea (3), flatulence (I), epigastric discomfort (I) and fluid retention (1).

Gibson, R.G. et al.: Practitioner 224: 955 (Sep 1980)

12 INPHARMA8Nov 1980 0156-2703/80/1108-0012 $00.50/0 @ADlSPress