Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.1, 40-50 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 47 7.3 A comprehensive analysis of existing research findings, exploring the actual effects of purple mussels and their combinations in lipid-lowering The recent literature highlights the potentiality of mussels, and particularly through their lipid extracts, to lipid-lowering applications. The experiments have proven that mussel extracts are effective in modulating lipid profiles favorably by reduced total cholesterol and triacylglycerol. This could be because of the omega-3 fatty acid content of mussels such as EPA and DHA, which are extremely valued for their cardiovascular effects. The unique fatty acid pattern of mussels and their anti-inflammatory activity define them as potential lead compounds for synergistic lipid-lowering preparations (Kuang et al., 2022; Biandolino et al., 2023; Liu et al., 2023). Apart from their direct effect, mussels may also synergize with other lipid-lowering medications to augment their impact. That BMLE regulates gut microbiota in clinical trials suggests another pathway through which mussels can exert their effect. This possibility is that mussels can alter the metabolic markers by changing gut health, once again providing a rationale for the use of mussels in combination lipid-lowering treatment. The importance of these studies cannot be overstated as they demand additional inquiry into the complete potential of mussels as adjunct treatments for lipid management (Kuang et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023). 8 Challenges and Limitations in Research 8.1 The diversity of study designs and standardization issues Examination of the synergistic activities between purple mussels and other constituents on lipid-lowering activity is complicated by study design heterogeneity. Heterogeneous research designs, ranging from randomized controlled trials to observational studies, can have varying results such that it's not easy to infer consistent results. For instance, the blue mussel lipid extract (BMLE) trial utilized a double-blind randomized controlled trial in assessing its impact on glycemic features and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, which is a good research design but will not be readily comparable with other research designs (Kuang et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023). Standardization issues also complicate studies in this area. Variations in the production and constitution of mussel extracts, and the heterogeneity of populations under study, could lead to the absence of comparable results. The lack of standardized methods for the extraction and donation of mussel lipids leads to varying wildly between research, which prohibits an explicit understanding of their lipid-lowering activity (Kuang et al., 2022; Liu et al., 2023). 8.2 The difficulty of translating animal study results into clinical applications Application of conclusions from animal studies to human clinical application is very difficult. While animal models may provide information on action mechanisms of mussel extracts, their physiological difference from human beings can lead to disparity in efficacy and safety reactions. For example, while BMLE demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities in animal models of arthritis, its activities among human T2DM patients can be varied due to variability in metabolism and immune response (Kuang et al., 2022). Moreover, the multifactorial and multicellular etiology of human diseases such as T2DM makes it difficult to replicate animal study results in clinic settings. The case of mussel extracts and human gut microbiota interaction, for instance, could not be adequately predicted with the help of animal models, as found in studies on the relationship between BMLE and gut microbiota in patients with T2DM (Liu et al., 2023). 8.3 Limitations in dosage selection, ingredient ratios, and other factors in current research Past studies on mussel extract lipid-lowering activity are also plagued with the limitations of determining ideal dosages and the proportion of components. Fixed dosages like 1.6 g/day BMLE consumed during trials are adopted by most studies, which might not be ideal or safe dosages for different groups and conditions (Kuang et al., 2022). This limitation is likely to lead to the underestimation or overestimation of the risk and benefits of consuming mussel extracts.
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