New research offers natural alternative to arthritis drugs

Mar 1 2005

Arthritis sufferers now have a natural alternative for treatment of this painful condition, according to new University-based research.

The research, conducted by The Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine Education and Research (ACCMER), shows that Biolane Green Lipped Mussel Extract has a combination of actions that are not associated with increased risk of blood clotting that has caused recent drug withdrawals and medical warnings. In fact, the product may even help slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

The research was conducted by Dr Phillip Cheras, deputy director of the University-based centre which is a collaboration between The University of Queensland and Southern Cross University, committed to evidenced-based research of complementary medicines.

Dr Cheras conducts experimental, laboratory and clinical research on complementary medicines useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Since 1993 he has been researching complementary medicines that do not have cardiovascular side effects such as possible increases in the risk of heart disease or stroke.

Biolane Green Lipped Mussel Extract is an ingredient manufactured by Healtheries of New Zealand and used in products available to the public such as Seatone in New Zealand and Musseltone in Australia. The research, conducted by ACCMER on behalf of Healtheries, was a laboratory-based study looking at the biochemical activities of the product. The aim was to determine if the product had the type of activities required for an effective anti-arthritic agent.

Dr Cheras said the study supported historical reports on the product’s usefulness as a treatment for oesteoarthitis and a clinical trial was now being planned in addition to further laboratory studies.

“It has a range of potentially useful activities, as well as acting as an anti-inflammatory. Rather than possibly exacerbating any clotting tendency, which has been associated with the use of “cox-2 inhibitor” drugs, it is likely to decrease the chance of blood clots being formed and to assist the removal of those that do form. This means it could be expected to not only produce symptomatic relief, but also help slow the disease process,” he said.

Dr Cheras advised arthritis sufferers interested in Biolane Green Lipped Mussel Extract to speak to their doctor about the product. He said the ACCMER website featured information for doctors on the product study results.

http://www.uq.edu.au