Lyprinol® is a natural anti-inflammatory supplement containing a patented lipid extract isolated from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus called PCSO-524®. Lyprinol contains PCSO-524® in combination with olive oil and a small amount of vitamin E added as an antioxidant. Early in vitro and in vivo research indicated significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, this research also revealed inconsistencies in the results due to the poor stabilisation (protection against oxidization) of the lipids. Subsequent research and further development culminated in the stabilised patented lipid extract PCSO-524® found in Lyprinol®.
PCSO-524 contains a unique combination of Omega-3’s, free fatty acids, sterol esters, polar lipids, and carotenoids, and has been shown to be a 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) 1 and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) modulator 2 providing a potent anti-inflammatory effect 3-6. The majority of the research using PCSO-524 has been in support of its anti- inflammatory activity, particularly in arthritis, where it has been compared to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
The manufacture and extraction process of PCSO-524 has been developed over many years and is covered by several international patents. The patented process involves extracting the oil from green-lipped mussels which are first stabilised and freeze-dried. The extraction is undertaken using supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technology using liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent. CO2 is an ideal solvent as it becomes liquid under increased pressure and after extracting the oil the pressure is raised, and the CO2turns back into a gas leaving the extract intact.
PCSO-524 is produced in Richmond, New Zealand where the green-lipped mussels are farmed in the pristine waters of the South Island of New Zealand. The stabilisation process and freeze drying of the mussels is conducted by Pharmalink International (PIL) shareholder and manufacturing partner MacLab and the extraction is completed in a state of the art facility owned by Pharmalink Extracts Limited.
The patented PCSO-524 extract is sold around the world in soft-gel capsules, blister packed in aluminium foil or loose in bottles, which are encapsulated and packaged by a number of GMP-approved facilities around the globe.