Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, improves endothelial function of hypertensive patients. Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Pycnogenol®, French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Augments Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Humans Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activity by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol® Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Analgesic efficacy of French maritime pine bark extract in dysmenorrhea: an open clinical trial. PYCNOGENOL in chronic venous insufficiency. Comparative study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. The effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol® on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Normalization of cardiovascular risk factors in peri-menopausal women with Pycnogenol®. Effect of polyphenolic extract, Pycnogenol®, on the level of 8-oxoguanine in children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Improvement of signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency and microangiopathy with Pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study. Treatment of melasma with Pycnogenol.
A placebo-controlled , double-blind , parallel group study was performed with 58 patients to investigate effects of French maritime pine bark extract , Pycnogenol  , on patients with hypertension . Supplementation of the patients with 100 mg Pycnogenol over a period of 12 weeks helped to reduce the dose of the calcium antagonist nifedipine in a statistically significant manner . The intake of Pycnogenol decreased endothelin-1 concentrations significantly compared to placebo while concentrations of 6-keto prostagl and in F1a in plasma were significantly higher compared to placebo .  Values for nitric oxide ( NO ) in plasma increased in both groups , but the differences were not significant . Angiotensin II concentrations in plasma were lowered in the placebo group to a larger extent than in the Pycnogenol group . Heart rate , electrolytes and blood urea nitrogen were not changed during treatment in both groups of patients . Unwanted effects observed in both groups were of mild and transient nature , such as gastrointestinal problems , vertigo , headache and nausea . Differences in rate of side effects were not statistically significant between the two groups . Study results support a supplementation with Pycnogenol for mildly hypertensive patients A double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omized , multi-center study was performed with 77 diabetes type II patients to investigate anti-diabetic effects of the French maritime pine bark extract , Pynogenol . Supplementation with 100 mg Pycnogenol for 12 weeks , during which a st and ard anti-diabetic treatment was continued , significantly lowered plasma glucose levels as compared to placebo .  HbA1(c ) was also lowered ; however , the difference as compared to placebo was statistically significant only for the first month . In the Pycnogenol-group  endothelin-1 was significantly decreased , while 6-ketoprostagl and in F(1a ) in plasma was elevated compared to placebo . Nitric oxide levels in plasma increased during treatment in both groups , but , differences did not reach statistical significance . Pycnogenol was well-tolerated with ECG , electrolytes , creatinine and blood urea nitrogen remaining unchanged in both groups . Mild and transient unwanted effects were reported for both groups without significant differences . Supplementation of Pycnogenol to conventional diabetes treatment lowers glucose levels and improves endothelial function Pycnogenol ® , an extract of bark from the French maritime pine , Pinus pinaster Ait . , consists of a concentrate of water-soluble polyphenols . Pycnogenol ® contains the bioflavonoids catechin and taxifolin as well as phenolcarbonic acids . Antioxidants , such as bioflavonoids , enhance endothelial nitric oxide ( NO ) synthase expression and subsequent NO release from endothelial cells . The purpose of this study was to determine Pycnogenol ® 's effects on endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans . This was a double-blind , r and omized , placebo and active drug study . We evaluated forearm blood flow ( FBF ) responses to acetylcholine ( ACh ) , an endothelium-dependent vasodilator , and to sodium nitroprusside ( SNP ) , an endothelium-independent vasodilator , in healthy young men before and after 2 weeks of daily oral administration of Pycnogenol ® ( 180 mg/day ) ( n=8 ) or placebo ( n=8 ) . FBF was measured by using strain-gauge plethysmography . Neither the placebo nor Pycnogenol ® altered forearm or systemic hemodynamics  . Pycnogenol ® , but not placebo , augmented FBF response to ACh , from 13.1±7.0 to 18.5±4.0 mL/min per 100 mL tissue ( p<0.05 ) . SNP-stimulated vasodilation was similar before and after 2 weeks of treatment in the control and Pycnogenol ® groups . The administration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine , an NO synthase inhibitor , completely abolished Pycnogenol ® -induced augmentation of the FBF response to ACh . These findings suggest that Pycnogenol ® augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation by increasing in NO production  . Pycnogenol ® would be useful for treating various diseases whose pathogeneses involve endothelial dysfunction There is evidence from several studies that supplementation with French maritime pine bark extract ( Pycnogenol ) improves inflammatory symptoms in vivo . However , the molecular pharmacological basis for the observed effects has not been fully uncovered yet . Direct inhibitory effects of plant extracts or components upon cyclooxygenase ( COX ) activity have been repeatedly reported , but the question remained whether sufficiently high in vivo concentrations of bioactive compounds could be achieved in humans . The purpose of the present study was to determine a possible inhibition of the enzymatic activity of COX-1 and COX-2 by serum sample s of human volunteers after intake of French maritime pine bark extract .  This methodology considered that the serum sample s would contain any bioavailable active principle . Therefore , we obtained blood sample s before and after 5 days administration of 200 mg  Pycnogenol to five healthy humans . The plasma moderately inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 activities ex vivo . In a second approach , 10 volunteers received a single dose of 300 mg Pycnogenol . Only 30 min after ingestion of the pine bark extract the serum sample s induced a statistically significant increase in the inhibition of both COX-1 ( P < 0.02 ) and COX-2 ( P < 0.002 ) . This suggests a strikingly rapid bioavailability of bioeffective compounds after oral intake of the extract . Thus , we provide evidence that Pycnogenol exerts effects by inhibition of eicosanoid generating enzymes which is consistent with reported clinical anti-inflammatory and platelet inhibitory effects in vivo . The next challenge is to identify the active principle(s ) that are rapidly bioavailable in human plasma Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) is the most common psychiatric disorder in children .  Pycnogenol ® , an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine , consisting of phenolic acids , catechin , taxifolin and procyanidins , has shown improvement of ADHD in case reports and in an open study . Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Pycnogenol ® on ADHD symptoms .  Sixty-one children were supplemented with 1 mg/kg/day Pycnogenol ® or placebo over a period of 4 weeks in a r and omised , placebo-controlled , doubleblind study . Patients were examined at start of trial , 1 month after treatment and 1 month after end of treatment period by st and ard question naires : CAP ( Child Attention Problems ) teacher rating scale , Conner ’s Teacher Rating Scale ( CTRS ) , the Conner ’s Parent Rating Scale ( CPRS ) and a modified Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children . Results show that 1-month Pycnogenol ® administration caused a significant reduction of hyperactivity , improves attention and visual – motoric coordination and concentration of children with ADHD . In the placebo group no positive effects were found . One month after termination of Pycnogenol ® administration a relapse of symptoms was noted . Our results point to an option to use Pycnogenol as a natural supplement to relieve ADHD symptoms of children Pycnogenol ® ( PYC ) , an extract of French maritime pine bark ( Pinus pinaster ) , is a potent antioxidant with potential health benefits . Its bioavailabilty has previously been shown by urinary excretion studies of constituents and metabolites of PYC . The aim of this study was to test the effect of PYC supplementation on measures of oxidative stress and the lipid profile in humans . Twenty-five healthy subjects received  PYC  ( 150 mg/d ) for 6 wk . Fasting blood was collected at baseline , after 3 and 6 wk of supplementation , and again after a 4-wk washout period . After 6 wk of supplementation with PYC , a significant increase in plasma polyphenol levels was detectable , which was reversed after the 4-wk washout phase . The antioxidant effect of PYC was demonstrated by a significant increase in oxygen radical absorbance capacity ( ORAC ) in plasma throughout the supplementation period ( P<0.05 ) . The ORAC value returned to baseline after the 4-wk washout period . Moreover , in addition to its antioxidant effects  , PYC significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol levels and increased HDL-cholesterol levels in plasma of two-thirds of the subjects . While the LDL changes reversed during washout , the HDL increase did not . There was no significant difference in LDL oxidizability or plasma lipid peroxides following PYC supplementation . Hence , following oral supplementation in humans  , PYC significantly increases antioxidant capacity of plasma , as determined by ORAC , and exerts favorable effects on the lipid profile OBJECTIVE The safe and efficacious use of Pycnogenol ( French maritime pine bark extract ) in other inflammatory diseases prompted this study of its antiinflammatory effects in patients with osteoarthritis ( OA ) . The aim of the study was to evaluate whether Pycnogenol reduces the symptoms of OA in a double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omly allocated trial with patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis stages I and II . METHODS 100 patients were treated for 3 months either by 150 mg Pycnogenol per day at meals or by placebo . Patients had to report any change of use of previously prescribed antiinflammatory medication during the study period . Patients filled the Western Ontario and Mc Masters University ( WOMAC ) question naire for osteoarthritis every 2 weeks and evaluated weekly pain symptoms using a visual analogue scale for pain intensity . RESULTS Following treatment with Pycnogenol patients reported an improvement of WOMAC index ( p < 0.05 ) , and a significant alleviation of pain by visual analogue scale ( p < 0.04 ) , the placebo had no effect . The use of analgesics diminished in the verum group but increased under the placebo . Treatment with Pycnogenol was well tolerated . CONCLUSION Results show that Pycnogenol  in patients with mild to moderate OA improves symptoms and is able to spare NSAIDs OBJECTIVE To clarify the effect of Pycnogenol ( Horphag Research , Switzerl and ) , French maritime pine bark extract , on menstrual pain . STUDY DESIGN We treated 47 patients with menstrual pain , aged 21 - 45 years , with Pycnogenol at 30 mg ( 2 capsules ) orally twice a dysmenorrl day . The administration of Pycnogenol began on the eighth day of the first menstrual cycle and continued until the seventh day of the third menstrual cycle . Improvement was evaluated by measuring scores of symptoms during the first and second , and first and third menstrual cycle using the Wilcoxon rank sum test . RESULTS Treatment with Pycnogenol lowered the pain scores for abdominal pain significantly ( p < 0.05 ) as compared to pretreatment values . Pain relief in the second cycle of treatment was better as compared to the first cycle of treatment , as indicated by a higher level of significance ( p < 0.01 ) and lower median pain score . The number of days with abdominal pain showed a trend toward fewer days with pain ; however , the difference failed to reach significance . Relief of back pain was not that pronounced during the first cycle treated with Pycnogenol ; the pain scores were not significantly different from those in the pretreatment period . However , continuation of treatment during the second cycle produced significant pain relief ( p < 0.01 ) . The number of days with back pain decreased . The number of days with pain was significantly lower ( p < 0.01 ) in the second cycle of treatment with Pycnogenol . CONCLUSION Pycnogenol has a potential analgesic effect on menstrual pain The aim of out study was to investigate the efficacy of Pycnogenol - a French maritime pine bark extract - in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ) . The study consisted of a double-blind phase - in which 20 patients were recruited and r and omly treated with placebo or Pycnogenol ( 100 mg 2 3/day for 2 months ) - and an open phase - in which other 20 patients were treated with Pycnogenol at the same dose schedule . In total , 40 patients were enrolled ; 30 of them were treated with Pycnogenol and 10 with placebo . Pycnogenol significantly improved the legs ' heaviness and subcutaneous edema ; the venous pressure was also significantly reduced by the Pycnogenol treatment , thus adding further clinical evidence to its therapeutic efficacy in patients with CVI .  Pycnogenol was effective , probably by either stabilizing the collagenous subendothelial basal membrane or scavenging the free radicals , or by a combination of these activities . Clinical ly , capillary leakage , perivascular inflammation and subcutaneous edema were all reduced . The safety of use of Pycnogenol is demonstrated by the lack of side effects or changes in blood biochemistry and hematologic parameters .  Pycnogenol can be therefore recommended both for prevention and treatment of CVI and related veno-capillary disturbances The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of Venostasin ( horse chestnut seed extract ) and Pycnogenol ( French maritime pine bark extract ) in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ) . In an open , controlled comparative study 40 patients with diagnosed CVI were treated either with 600 mg chestnut seed extract per day or 360 mg Pycnogenol per day over a period of 4 weeks . The following parameters were investigated before the start of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment : circumference of the lower legs and rating of subjective symptoms ( scores ) of pain , cramps , night-time swelling , feeling of " heaviness " , and reddening of the skin . In addition , blood levels of cholesterol LDL and HDL were determined before and at the end of treatment . Pycnogenol significantly reduced the circumference of the lower limbs and significantly improved subjective symptoms . Furthermore , Pycnogenol significantly decreased cholesterol and LDL values in the blood , whereas HDL remained unaffected . Venostasin only moderately but not significantly , reduced the circumference of the lower limbs and marginally improved symptoms .  Venostasin had no influence on the determined lipid values . Both medications were equally well tolerated . In conclusion , Pycnogenol was found to be more efficacious than Venostasin for the treatment of CVI AIMS Extracts from pine tree bark containing a variety of flavonoids have been used in traditional medicine . Pycnogenol is a proprietary bark extract of the French maritime pine tree ( Pinus pinaster ssp . atlantica ) that exerts antioxidative , anti-inflammatory , and anti-platelet effects . However , the effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial dysfunction , a precursor of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events , remain still elusive . METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-three patients with coronary artery disease ( CAD ) completed this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled cross-over study . Patients received Pycnogenol ( 200 mg/day ) for 8 weeks followed by placebo or vice versa on top of st and ard cardiovascular therapy . Between the two treatment periods , a 2-week washout period was scheduled . At baseline and after each treatment period , endothelial function , non-invasively assessed by flow-mediated dilatation ( FMD ) of the brachial artery using high-resolution ultrasound , biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation , platelet adhesion , and 24 h blood pressure monitoring were evaluated . In CAD  patients , Pycnogenol treatment was associated with an improvement of FMD from 5.3 ± 2.6 to 7.0 ± 3.1 ( P < 0.0001 ) , while no change was observed with placebo ( 5.4 ± 2.4 to 4.7 ± 2.0 ; P = 0.051 ) . This difference between study groups was significant [ estimated treatment effect 2.75 ; 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 1.75 , 3.75 , P < 0.0001 ] . 15-F(2t)-Isoprostane , an index of oxidative stress , significantly decreased from 0.71 ± 0.09 to 0.66 ± 0.13 after Pycnogenol treatment , while no change was observed in the placebo group ( mean difference 0.06 pg/mL with an associated 95 % CI ( 0.01 , 0.11 ) , P = 0.012 ] . Inflammation markers , platelet adhesion , and blood pressure did not change after treatment with Pycnogenol or placebo . CONCLUSION This study provides the first evidence that the antioxidant Pycnogenol improves endothelial function in patients with CAD by reducing oxidative stress Abstract Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) belongs to the neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impulsivity , distractibility and hyperactivity . In the pathogenesis of ADHD genetic and non-genetic factors play an important role . It is assumed that one of non-genetic factors should be oxidative stress . Pycnogenol ® , an extract from the pine bark , consists of bioflavonoids , catechins , procyanidins and phenolic acids . Pycnogenol ® acts as powerful antioxidant , chelating agent ; it stimulates the activities of some enzymes , like SOD , eNOS , and exhibits other biological activities . Aim : The aim of this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial was to investigate the influence of administered Pycnogenol ® or placebo on the level of reduced ( GSH ) and oxidized ( GSSG ) glutathione in children suffering from ADHD and on total antioxidant status ( TAS ) . This is the first investigation of the redox glutathione state in relation to ADHD . Results : One month of Pycnogenol ® administration ( 1 mg/kg body weight/day ) caused a significant decrease in GSSG and a highly significant increase in GSH levels as well as improvement of GSH/GSSG ratio in comparison to a group of patients taking a  placebo . TAS in children with ADHD was decreased in comparison with reference values . Pycnogenol ® administration normalizes TAS of ADHD children Forty patients with chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ) and varices of the legs were selected and double-blindly r and omly assigned to a treatment with Pycnogenol ( French maritime pine bark extract ) , 100 mg x 3/day or a placebo for 2 months , according to a double-blind experimental design . The effects of the treatment were evaluated by scoring the symptomatology with a semi-quantitative scale , and the venous blood flow by means of a h and -held Doppler ultrasound . The tolerability was evaluated by recording the adverse effects and by means of hematology and blood chemistry parameters , before and at the end of the treatment . Pycnogenol treatment induced a significant reduction in subcutaneous edema as well as heaviness and pain in the legs , on both after 30 and 60 days , the evaluation time periods . Approximately 60 % of patients treated with Pycnogenol(R ) experienced a complete disappearance of edema ( the most rapidly disappearing symptom ) and pain at the end of the treatment , while almost all the patients reported a reduction in leg heaviness which disappeared in approximately 33 % of patients . These changes were statistically significant . No effect was observed in the placebo-treated subjects . No effect on the venous blood flow was observed in either of the experimental groups BACKGROUND The aim of the study was the evaluation of the efficacy of Pycnogenol ® in peri-menopausal women in controlling homocysteine and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) levels , borderline cardiovascular risk factors , oxidative stress ( OS ) and symptoms associated to menopausal transition ( MT ) . METHODS Pycnogenol ® , 100mg/day , was used as a supplement for 8 weeks by a group of 35 women . A comparable group of 35 women with identical cardiovascular risk factors was included as the control group . All women were instructed to participate in a best management plan of menopause . RESULTS The two groups were comparable . All women completed the eight weeks study . Only minor deviations from the best management plan were observed . At inclusion , both groups were similar in respect to risk factors . Supplementation with Pycnogenol ® decreased the slightly elevated cholesterol and triglycerides after 8 weeks ( P<0.05 ) . Also the fasting glucose levels were normalized ( P<0.05 ) . The borderline increased blood pressure was reduced to normal values at 8 weeks ( P<0.05 ) . Plasma free radicals dropped significantly by 22 % ( P<0.05 ) . Homocysteine and CRP levels decreased sharply by 43 % and 60 % , respectively ( P<0.05 ) . No significant changes of these risk factors were noted in the control group . Almost all menopausal symptoms , scored by The Menopausal Symptoms Question naire 34 , improved significantly following supplementation with Pycnogenol ® . The supplementation was well tolerated . CONCLUSIONS The supplementation with Pycnogenol ® improved the quality of life of perimenopausal women and normalized a series of cardiovascular risk factors , especially factors connected to cardiovascular events , as homocysteine and CRP The purpose of this r and omized , double-blind and placebo controlled study was to test the effect of polyphenolic extract of pine bark Pycnogenol ® ( Pyc ) on the level of oxidized purines represented by 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine ( 8-oxoG ) and on the total antioxidant status ( TAS ) in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) . We have found significantly increased damage to DNA in ADHD children when compared to controls . 8-oxoG was significantly lower after 1 month of Pyc administration in comparison to the beginning state and to placebo  group . TAS in ADHD children was lower in comparison to controls . After Pyc  administration , TAS was elevated but statistically significant increase was recorded after 1 month of termination of Pyc application . Improvement of DNA damage and TAS after Pyc administration is associated with the improvement of attention in ADHD children . In conclusion , Pycnogenol ® administration reduces oxidative damage to DNA , normalizes TAS and improves attention of ADHD children . Explanation of mutual relation between oxidative damage to DNA , TAS and symptoms of ADHD and mechanism of Pyc 's action needs further investigations The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of st and ardized French maritime pine bark extract Pycnogenol in patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency ( CVI ) . 98 subjects with symptomatic CVI and edema were r and omly assigned to one group treated with 150 mg Pycnogenol a day only , another group with stockings only and a third group with both Pycnogenol and elastic stockings . The average ambulatory venous pressure ( AVP ) at inclusion was 58+/-7 mm Hg ( range 48 - 60 mm Hg ) with a refilling time (RT)<12 s ( average 7+/-2 s ) . The duration of the disease was on average 6.0+/-3.1 years . There were no differences in AVP or RT among the 3 groups at inclusion and microcirculatory and clinical evaluations were comparable . After 8 weeks treatment there was a significant decrease of rate of ankle swelling , resting flux , transcutaneous pO(2 ) and clinical symptom scores in all groups with significantly better results for the combination treatment . Pycnogenol alone was more effective than compression alone for all parameters ( p<0.05 ) . No side-effects were observed ; compliance and tolerability were very good . This study corroborates a significant clinical role for Pycnogenol in the management , treatment and control of CVI also in combination with compression Melasma ( or chloasma ) is a common disorder of cutaneous hyperpigmentation predominantly affecting sun-exposed areas in women . The pathogenesis of melasma is not fully understood and treatments are frequently disappointing and often associated with side effects . Pycnogenol is a st and ardized extract of the bark of the French maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster ) , a well-known , potent antioxidant . Studies in vitro show that Pycnogenol is several times more powerful than vitamin E and vitamin C. In addition , it recycles vitamin C , regenerates vitamin E and increases the endogenous antioxidant enzyme system . Pycnogenol protects against ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation . Therefore its efficacy in the treatment of melasma was investigated . Thirty women with melasma completed a 30-day clinical trial in which they took one 25 mg tablet of Pycnogenol with meals three times daily , i.e. 75 mg Pycnogenol per day . These patients were evaluated clinical ly by parameters such as the melasma area index , pigmentary intensity index and by routine blood and urine tests . After a 30-day treatment , the average melasma area of the patients decreased by 25.86 + /- 20.39 mm(2 ) ( p < 0.001 ) and the average pigmentary intensity decreased by 0.47 + /- 0.51 unit ( p < 0.001 ) . The general effective rate was 80 % . No side effect was observed . The results of the blood and urine test parameters at baseline and at day 30 were within the normal range . Moreover , several other associated symptoms such as fatigue , constipation , pains in the body and anxiety were also improved . To conclude , Pycnogenol was shown to be therapeutically effective and safe in patients suffering from melasma
Present systematic review and meta- analysis suggested Pycnogenol consumption can decrease the level of CRP and have anti-inflammatory effect .
Pycnogenol is a st and ardized extract from the bark of the French maritime pine .
The aim of the present systematic review and meta- analysis was to clarify the effect of Pycnogenol supplementation on C-reactive protein ( CRP ) concentration .