Pycnogenol
Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Natural substance from the group of leukoanthocyanidins or catechins. The substance is extracted from the bark of the pine, mostly from the French maritime pine - Pinus pinaster atlantica. Pycnogenol is soluble in water and ethanol but insoluble in ether.
EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.
Antioxidant, anti-edematous, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, antiallergic
Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.
Pykogenol in osteoarthritis: 3 major clinical studies have shown that taking pine bark extract improves arthritic symptoms. The dosage is based on the commercial preparation "Pycnogenol®" and is indicated as 100 mg to 150 mg pycogenol p.o./day pycogenol.
Pycogenol in bronchial asthma: Clinical and experimental studies postulate an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect with improvement of pre-existing bronchial asthma.
Pycogenol for thrombosis: In a study of 198 passengers on long-haul flights, the effect of pine bark extract on the risk of thrombosis was examined 15. The study participants received either 2 x 100 mg p.o. pycogenol or placebo 2-3 h before departure. The sonographically determined thrombosis rate could be significantly reduced by taking pykogenol (see alsotravel thrombosis).
Pycogenol in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): Several studies refer to chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). There was an improvement in leg swelling.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Arcangeli (2000) Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Fitoterapia 71:236-44.
- Belcaro Get al.(2004) Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights with pycnogenol. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 10:373-377.
- Faird R et al (2007) Pycnogenol® supplementation reduces pain and stiffness and improves physical function in adults with knee osteoarthritis. Nutr Res 27: 692-697
- Hosseini S et al(2001) Pycnogenol((R)) in the Management of Asthma.J Med Food 4:201-209.
- Hosseini et al (2001) A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, prospective 16 weeks crossover study to determine the role of Pycnogenol in modifying blood pressure in mildly hypertensive patients. Nutr Res 21:67-76.
- Jerez et al (2007) A comparison between bark extracts from Pinus pinaster and Pinus radiata: Antioxidant activity and procyanidin composition. Food Chemistry 100: 439-444
- Koch R (2002) Comparative study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency.Phytother Res 16 Suppl 1:S1-5.