Ingredient Shell (壳 ké / 甲 jiǎ)

Ha Ke

Clam shell · 蛤壳

Meretrix meretrix L. / Cyclina sinensis Gmelin · Concha Meretricis seu Cyclinae

Also known as: Hai Ge Ke (海蛤壳)

Ha Ke (Clam shell) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Clam shell is a cold, salty-bitter mineral substance used in Chinese medicine to clear heat and sticky phlegm from the lungs, making it useful for coughs with thick yellow sputum and chest discomfort. It also softens hardened lumps like thyroid nodules and scrofula, and when calcined into powder, it neutralizes excess stomach acid to relieve acid reflux and stomach pain. Externally, the powdered shell can be applied to eczema and minor burns.

Category Phlegm-transforming herbs (化痰药) Herbs that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat (清化热痰药)
Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Thyroid and Lymph Node Support Acid Reflux Relief Eczema and Dermatitis Relief

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Salty (咸 xián)

Channels entered

Lungs, Stomach

Parts used

Shell (壳 ké / 甲 jiǎ)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Ingredient Does

Every ingredient has a specific set of actions — here's what Ha Ke does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Ha Ke is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Thyroid and Lymph Node Support Acid Reflux Relief Eczema and Dermatitis Relief

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Ha Ke performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Lung Heat and Transforms Phlegm Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness Controls Acidity and Stops Pain Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema Absorbs Dampness and Heals Sores

How these actions work

'Clears Lung Heat and resolves Phlegm' means this herb cools down inflamed, overheated lungs and helps break up thick, sticky mucus. It is used when someone has a cough producing thick yellow sputum that is hard to bring up, along with chest tightness or wheezing. The bitter taste has a drying, descending quality that helps the lungs push phlegm downward and out, while the salty taste penetrates and dissolves congealed substances.

'Softens hardness and dissipates nodules' refers to the herb's ability to gradually break down firm lumps and swellings in the body. In TCM, salty-flavored substances have a natural affinity for softening hard masses. This makes clam shell useful for conditions like thyroid nodules (called 'goiter' or yǐng liú in TCM), swollen lymph nodes (scrofula), and other palpable lumps caused by congealed Phlegm and Heat.

'Inhibits acid and stops pain' describes the herb's ability to neutralize excess stomach acid. The calcium carbonate in the shell directly counteracts acidic conditions in the stomach. This action is most pronounced in the calcined form (duàn hǎ ké), which is used for acid reflux, sour belching, and burning stomach pain.

'Promotes urination and reduces edema' is a secondary action. Clam shell has a mild diuretic effect that helps the body eliminate excess fluid, useful as a supporting herb in cases of swelling or difficult urination caused by Damp-Heat.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Ha Ke is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Ha Ke addresses this pattern

When Heat combines with Phlegm in the Lungs, it produces thick, yellow, sticky mucus that is difficult to expectorate, along with coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness. Hǎ Ké's cold nature directly clears this Lung Heat, while its bitter and salty tastes work together to dry Dampness and dissolve congealed Phlegm. Its channel entry into the Lung means it acts precisely where the pathology resides. This is the herb's primary and most established indication.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough with thick yellow sputum that is hard to bring up

Wheezing

Wheezing or shortness of breath from Phlegm obstruction

Chest Pain

Chest and rib pain from Phlegm-Heat congestion

Hemoptysis

Blood-streaked sputum when Heat damages Lung vessels

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Ha Ke is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs Liver Fire insulting the Lungs

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, a persistent cough with thick yellow sticky sputum points to Heat combining with Phlegm in the Lungs. This can arise from external Heat pathogens invading the Lungs, or from internal Heat (such as Liver Fire) rising upward and scorching the Lung fluids into thick Phlegm. The Lungs' normal descending and dispersing function becomes impaired, and Qi rebels upward as coughing. When the Heat is severe enough to damage blood vessels in the Lungs, blood may appear in the sputum.

Why Ha Ke Helps

Hǎ Ké is cold in nature and enters the Lung channel directly, making it well-positioned to clear the Heat that is generating and thickening the Phlegm. Its bitter taste promotes a downward, drying movement that helps restore the Lungs' natural descending function, while its salty taste penetrates and dissolves the congealed sticky Phlegm. For cough caused by Liver Fire invading the Lungs, Hǎ Ké is classically paired with Qīng Dài in Dài Gé Sǎn, where it clears Lung Heat and resolves Phlegm while Qīng Dài directly clears Liver Fire, addressing both the root cause and the lung symptoms.

Also commonly used for

Bronchitis

Acute or chronic bronchitis with heat-type phlegm

Wheezing

Wheezing from Phlegm-Heat obstruction

Hemoptysis

Coughing up blood, especially from Liver Fire attacking the Lungs

Scrofula

Cervical lymphadenopathy

Stomach Pain

Epigastric pain from acid excess

Peptic Ulcer

Gastric and duodenal ulcers

Eczema

External application of powdered calcined shell

Edema

Mild edema with Damp-Heat, as a supporting herb

Skin Burns

Minor burns, using calcined powder externally

Ingredient Properties

Every ingredient has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Bitter (苦 kǔ), Salty (咸 xián)

Channels Entered

Lungs Stomach

Parts Used

Shell (壳 ké / 甲 jiǎ)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Ha Ke — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

10-15g (decoction); 1-3g (powder for oral use)

Maximum dosage

Up to 30-90g in decoction (whole shell pieces); powder form should not exceed 3-10g orally. Higher decoction doses are used because extraction from the hard shell is limited.

Dosage notes

The raw (unprocessed) form is preferred for clearing Heat, resolving Phlegm, and softening hardness to treat conditions like Phlegm-Heat cough, goiter, and scrofula. The calcined form (Duan Ha Ke) is preferred for neutralizing stomach acid and treating gastric pain with acid reflux, as the calcium oxide produced by calcination has stronger antacid properties. When using the powdered form (Ha Fen / Ge Fen) in decoction, it should be wrapped in cloth (包煎) to prevent grittiness in the liquid. Higher doses (30-90g of shell pieces) are used in decoction because the hard mineral shell yields its active components slowly. Lower doses (1-3g of powder) are used when taken directly as powder in pills or capsules.

Preparation

When using powdered Ha Ke (Ge Fen / Ha Fen) in decoctions, it must be wrapped in cloth (包煎, bao jian) before adding to the pot, to prevent the fine powder from making the liquid gritty and undrinkable. When using crushed shell pieces, these are hard and mineral-based, so they should ideally be added first and decocted for 20-30 minutes before adding other herbs (先煎, xian jian) to allow adequate extraction. For external use (eczema, burns), calcined powder is mixed with sesame oil or another suitable oil and applied topically.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same ingredient can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Ha Ke does

Processing method

Clean clam shells are placed over a smokeless fire and calcined until they turn red-hot and become brittle. They are then removed, cooled, and crushed into pieces or ground into fine powder (Hǎ Fěn, 蛤粉).

How it changes properties

Calcining converts the calcium carbonate into calcium oxide, making the shell extremely brittle and easy to grind into fine powder. This enhances the acid-neutralizing (制酸) and astringent/wound-healing actions. The calcined form has stronger effects for neutralizing stomach acid and for external use on eczema and burns. It becomes somewhat more drying and astringent compared to the raw form.

When to use this form

Use calcined Hǎ Ké (or Hǎ Fěn powder) when the primary goal is to neutralize stomach acid for acid reflux and stomach pain, or for external application on weeping eczema and minor burns. Also preferred in decoctions because the powder dissolves more readily (wrap in cloth for decocting).

Common Ingredient Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Ha Ke for enhanced therapeutic effect

Qing Dai
Qing Dai Qīng Dài 1 : Hǎ Ké 10 (in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia formulation of Dài Gé Sǎn)

Qīng Dài clears Liver Fire and cools the Blood, while Hǎ Ké clears Lung Heat and dissolves sticky Phlegm. Together they address Liver Fire attacking the Lungs from both the root (Liver Fire) and the branch (Lung Phlegm-Heat), achieving what neither herb does alone: simultaneous Liver-clearing and Lung-calming action.

When to use: Cough with blood-streaked or yellow sticky sputum caused by Liver Fire invading the Lungs, accompanied by irritability, rib-side pain, and a red tongue. This is the classical formula Dài Gé Sǎn.

Sang Bai Pi
Sang Bai Pi 1:1

Sāng Bái Pí drains Lung Heat and calms wheezing, while Hǎ Ké clears Lung Heat and resolves thick Phlegm. Together they provide stronger Lung Heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving action than either alone, with Sāng Bái Pí focusing on the Qi (wheezing) and Hǎ Ké on the Phlegm (sticky sputum).

When to use: Lung Heat with both wheezing and copious thick yellow phlegm.

Gua Lou
Gua Lou 1:1

Guā Lóu clears Heat, loosens the chest, and moistens to expel Phlegm, while Hǎ Ké clears Lung Heat and uses its salty, softening quality to dissolve congealed Phlegm. Together they clear Heat, open the chest, and transform Phlegm more effectively, addressing both the Heat and the Phlegm obstruction that causes chest tightness and pain.

When to use: Phlegm-Heat causing chest tightness, rib-side pain, and cough with sticky yellow sputum that is hard to expectorate.

Wa Leng Zi
Wa Leng Zi 1:1

Both herbs neutralize stomach acid and soften hard masses, but Wǎ Léng Zǐ also invigorates Blood and dissolves stasis-related lumps, while Hǎ Ké contributes stronger Lung Heat-clearing action. Together they provide a comprehensive acid-neutralizing and mass-softening combination.

When to use: Stomach pain with acid reflux, or abdominal masses where both Phlegm accumulation and Blood stasis are present.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Wa Leng Zi
Ha Ke vs Wa Leng Zi

Both Hǎ Ké and Wǎ Léng Zǐ (ark shell) transform sticky Phlegm, soften hardness, and neutralize stomach acid. However, Hǎ Ké is cold and specifically clears Lung Heat, making it better for hot-type coughs with yellow sticky sputum and blood-streaked phlegm. Wǎ Léng Zǐ is neutral in temperature and has an additional Blood-invigorating action, making it more suitable for abdominal masses involving Blood stasis.

Hai Fu Shi
Ha Ke vs Hai Fu Shi

Both clear Lung Heat and resolve Phlegm, and both are cold, salty shell/mineral substances. Hǎi Fú Shí (pumice) is lighter in weight and better at softening hard, calcite Phlegm that is dried and stuck in the throat, while Hǎ Ké has the additional benefit of neutralizing stomach acid and a stronger softening action on thyroid nodules and scrofula.

Mu Li Ke
Ha Ke vs Mu Li Ke

Both Hǎ Ké and Mǔ Lì (oyster shell) are salty shell substances that soften hardness and dissipate nodules. However, Mǔ Lì has major additional actions: it calms the Liver, subdues rising Yang, anchors the spirit (for anxiety and insomnia), and astringes (stops sweating, secures essence). Hǎ Ké is more focused on clearing Lung Heat, resolving Phlegm, and neutralizing stomach acid. Choose Mǔ Lì when the condition involves Liver Yang rising, insomnia, or spontaneous sweating; choose Hǎ Ké when the focus is on Phlegm-Heat cough.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Ha Ke

In several inland regions of China (including Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong's Jinan, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and Gansu), freshwater mussel shells (蚌壳, Bang Ke, Concha Anodontae) are sometimes used as a substitute for Ha Ke. These include the shells of Lamprotula leai and Lamprotula fibrosa, which have rougher surfaces with tubercle-like nodules and are distinctly different in appearance and composition from the smooth, lustrous marine clam shells. Authentic Ha Ke can be distinguished by its smooth shell surface, glossy periostracum (especially in Wen Ge), and characteristic concentric growth patterns. Wa Leng Zi (瓦楞子, Concha Arcae, cockle shell) is a related but distinct shell medicine that is sometimes confused with Ha Ke. It has prominent ridged ribs on its surface, unlike the smooth shells of Ha Ke.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any ingredient.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ha Ke

Non-toxic

Ha Ke (clam shell) is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The Ben Cao Bie Lu (Ming Yi Bie Lu) explicitly recorded it as having 'no toxicity' (无毒), though one source (Yao Xing Lun) noted 'slight toxicity' (小毒). The shell is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (over 96%) with trace amounts of chitin and minerals including sodium, iron, strontium, and magnesium. Research has shown that raw shells may contain trace levels of arsenic, but calcination (煅制) reduces arsenic content by approximately 5-10%, making the processed form safer. No significant toxicity concerns exist at standard therapeutic doses.

Contraindications

Situations where Ha Ke should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (Spleen Yang deficiency) with symptoms such as cold limbs, loose stools, fatigue, and chilliness. The cold nature of Ha Ke may worsen internal cold conditions and impair digestive function.

Caution

Qi deficiency with cold, where the middle Yang (digestive warmth) is insufficient. As stated in the Ben Cao Hui Yan: when coughing or phlegm conditions arise from Qi deficiency and internal cold rather than from Heat, this herb should not be given.

Caution

Prolonged or excessive use in patients without Heat patterns, as the cold and heavy nature of Ha Ke may burden the Spleen and Stomach, leading to indigestion or abdominal bloating.

Avoid

Known allergy to shellfish or marine mollusks. Individuals with shellfish hypersensitivity should avoid this herb.

Classical Incompatibilities

Traditional Chinese pharmacological incompatibilities — herbs or substances to avoid combining with Ha Ke

Ha Ke does not appear on the Eighteen Incompatibilities (十八反) or Nineteen Mutual Fears (十九畏) lists. However, the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu (Tao Hongjing) noted that Shu Qi (蜀漆, Dichroa leaf) serves as its envoy herb (使), and that it 'fears' (畏) dog bile (狗胆), Gan Sui (甘遂), and Yuan Hua (芫花). These are traditional cautions rather than part of the formal Eighteen Incompatibilities list.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Generally best avoided during pregnancy as a precaution. While Ha Ke is not traditionally listed among the major pregnancy-prohibited herbs, its cold nature and blood-moving properties (classical texts mention it for treating blood accumulation and uterine bleeding) suggest caution. There are no specific studies on its reproductive safety. Pregnant individuals should consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Breastfeeding

No specific safety data exists regarding Ha Ke use during breastfeeding. The shell is primarily composed of calcium carbonate with minimal organic compounds, so transfer of active constituents through breast milk is theoretically minimal. However, given the lack of formal safety studies, nursing mothers should exercise caution and use this herb only under professional guidance.

Children

Ha Ke can be used in children at proportionally reduced doses, typically one-third to one-half of the adult dose depending on age and body weight. The powdered form (Ge Fen) wrapped in cloth for decoction is preferred in pediatric prescriptions to avoid ingestion of gritty shell particles. As with all cold-natured herbs, particular care should be taken in children with weak digestion or a tendency toward loose stools.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Ha Ke

Antacid and acid-suppressing medications: Ha Ke's high calcium carbonate content gives it natural antacid properties, particularly in its calcined form. Concurrent use with pharmaceutical antacids (aluminum/magnesium hydroxide), proton pump inhibitors, or H2 blockers may result in excessive acid neutralization.

Calcium-sensitive medications: The high calcium content may interfere with the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, bisphosphonates, and thyroid hormones (levothyroxine). These medications should be taken at least 2 hours apart from Ha Ke preparations.

Cardiac glycosides (digoxin): Excessive calcium intake can potentiate the effects of cardiac glycosides. Patients on digoxin therapy should use Ha Ke with caution and under medical supervision.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ha Ke

When taking Ha Ke for Phlegm-Heat conditions or cough, avoid greasy, fried, and excessively sweet foods, as these tend to generate Dampness and Phlegm. Cold and raw foods should be limited if the person already has a weak digestive system, since Ha Ke's cold nature may further burden the Spleen. When using Ha Ke to treat acid reflux or stomach pain, avoid sour, spicy, and acidic foods (citrus, vinegar, chili) as well as coffee and alcohol, which may counteract its acid-neutralizing effect.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ha Ke source animal

Ha Ke is not derived from a plant but from marine bivalve mollusks of the family Veneridae (帘蛤科). The two primary source species are the Chinese Venus clam (Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus) and the Black clam or Cyclina (Cyclina sinensis Gmelin). These are filter-feeding shellfish found in sandy and muddy coastal tidal flats along China's extensive coastline.

Meretrix meretrix (文蛤, Wén Gé): A large, thick-shelled clam with a triangular-ovate shape, 6 to 12 cm in length. The outer shell is smooth with a glossy yellowish-brown or reddish-brown lacquer-like periostracum, often displaying concentric growth rings and distinctive W-shaped or zigzag brown patterns radiating from the beak. The inner surface is white, sometimes tinged with purple at the margins.

Cyclina sinensis (青蛤, Qīng Gé): A smaller, thinner-shelled clam with a more rounded shape. Its shell surface shows prominent concentric growth lines and lacks the glossy, patterned appearance of the Venus clam. Both species inhabit shallow coastal waters and estuarine mudflats throughout China's shoreline.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Ha Ke is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer and autumn. The clams are collected from tidal flats, the meat removed, and the shells washed and sun-dried.

Primary growing regions

Ha Ke is sourced from coastal areas throughout China. The primary harvesting regions are along the eastern and southern Chinese seaboard, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong, Guangdong, and Liaoning provinces. Jiangsu (particularly around the Nantong and Rudong coastline) and Shandong are especially noted for producing high-quality Venus clam (Wen Ge) shells. The southern coast of Fujian and Guangdong also yields significant quantities of both species. As a marine product, there is no single 'dao di' terroir region in the traditional sense, though coastal areas with clean, unpolluted tidal flats produce the best quality material.

Quality indicators

Good quality Ha Ke shells should be intact, clean, and free of attached marine debris or organic residue. For Venus clam (Wen Ge): shells should be thick, hard, and heavy, with a smooth outer surface showing a yellowish-brown lacquer-like sheen and clear concentric growth lines. The inner surface should be white with possible faint purple tints at the margins. For Blue/Cyan clam (Qing Ge): shells are thinner and more rounded, with pronounced growth rings. Both types should be odorless or have only a faint marine scent, with a bland taste. Processed clam powder (Ge Fen) should be a fine, uniform white or grey-white powder. Calcined shells (Duan Ha Ke) should be grey-blue in color, brittle and easy to crumble, indicating complete calcination.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Ha Ke and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Original: 主咳逆上气，喘息，烦满，胸痛寒热。

Translation: "It treats cough with rebellious upward Qi, wheezing, irritability and fullness, and chest pain with alternating chills and fever."

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Li Shizhen)

Original: 清热利湿，化痰饮，消积聚，除血痢，妇人血结胸，伤寒反汗，搐搦，中风瘫痪。

Translation: "Clears Heat and promotes moisture drainage, transforms Phlegm-fluid, disperses accumulations, eliminates bloody dysentery, treats women's Blood accumulation in the chest, abnormal sweating in Cold Damage, convulsions, and paralysis from wind-stroke."

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (《日华子本草》)

Original: 治呕逆，阴痿，胸胁胀急，腰痛，五痔，妇人崩中、带下病。

Translation: "Treats nausea and vomiting, impotence, distension and tightness of the chest and flanks, lower back pain, hemorrhoids, uterine bleeding, and vaginal discharge in women."

Ben Cao Hui Yan (《本草汇言》)

Original: 病因热邪痰结气闭者宜之，若气虚有寒，中阳不运而为此证者，切勿轻授。

Translation: "Appropriate when the condition arises from Heat pathogen with Phlegm binding and Qi obstruction. If there is Qi deficiency with Cold, and the middle Yang fails to move and transport, one must absolutely not prescribe this lightly."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Ha Ke's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Ha Ke has a very long history of medicinal use in China. It was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (the earliest Chinese materia medica, compiled during the Han dynasty), where it was listed as an upper-grade (上品) medicinal under the names 海蛤 (Hai Ge, Sea Clam) and 文蛤 (Wen Ge, Patterned Clam). The great Ming dynasty physician-naturalist Li Shizhen clarified in the Ben Cao Gang Mu that the term "Hai Ge" was a general name for various sea clam shells, not a single specific species, noting that "文蛤自是一种" (Wen Ge is its own distinct variety).

Processing methods evolved significantly over the centuries. By the Southern Dynasties period (5th century), the Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun described an elaborate preparation involving boiling in slurry water with Lycium bark and cypress leaves. Calcination (煅制) appeared during the Song dynasty and became the standard processing method. The calcined form (Duan Ha Ke) is preferred for its acid-neutralizing properties, as the heat converts the calcium carbonate into calcium oxide, which is more reactive as an antacid. Ha Ke was also referenced in Zhang Zhongjing's Jin Gui Yao Lue (Eastern Han dynasty), where Meretrix meretrix was used to address conditions related to thirst, an early recognition of its cooling and fluid-regulating properties.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Ha Ke

1

Anti-tumor protein from Meretrix meretrix (in vitro study, 2009)

Ning X, Zhao J, Zhang Y, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2009; 45(2): 153-158

Researchers isolated a novel 40 kDa protein (designated MML) from Meretrix meretrix that showed significant cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines including hepatoma (BEL-7402), breast cancer (MCF-7), and colon cancer (HCT116) cells, while showing no inhibitory effect on normal fibroblast cells. The protein appeared to work by increasing cell membrane permeability and inhibiting tubulin polymerization.

PubMed
2

Protective effects of Meretrix meretrix oligopeptides against NAFLD (in vitro study, 2017)

Huang F, Zhao S, Yu F, Yang Z, Ding G. Marine Drugs, 2017; 15(2): 31

An oligopeptide (sequence: Gln-Leu-Asn-Trp-Asp) derived from Meretrix meretrix was shown to protect liver cells against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in cell culture. The peptide increased cell viability by inhibiting apoptosis, alleviated oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial dysfunction through regulation of the JNK signaling pathway.

Link
3

Protective effect of Meretrix meretrix oligopeptides on high-fat-diet-induced NAFLD in mice (animal study, 2018)

Huang F, Wang J, Yu F, Tang Y, Ding G, Yang Z, Sun Y. Marine Drugs, 2018; 16(2): 39

Building on the in vitro work above, this animal study fed mice a high-fat diet with or without Meretrix meretrix oligopeptides (50 or 250 mg/kg) for four weeks. The oligopeptides significantly reduced body weight gain, liver enzyme levels (ALT, AST), and markers of oxidative damage, while improving fatty liver pathology through regulation of NF-kB anti-inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways.

Link
4

Novel antioxidant peptides from Meretrix meretrix protect C. elegans against oxidative stress (preclinical study, 2018)

Wang J, Zhang T, Chen Q, et al. Marine Drugs, 2018; 16(11): 444

Three novel antioxidant peptides were isolated from Meretrix meretrix and tested in the nematode model C. elegans. The peptides increased resistance to paraquat-induced oxidative stress by promoting nuclear translocation of the DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor (a key stress-response and longevity regulator) and inducing expression of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD-3).

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.