Pycnogenol

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Pycnogenol® is the patented trade name for a water extract of the bark of the French maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster  ssp.  atlantica ), which is grown in coastal south west France. Pycnogenol® contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) as well as several other bioflavonoids: catechin, epicatechin, phenolic fruit acids (such as ferulic acid and caffeic acid), and taxifolin. Procyanidins are oligometric catechins found at high concentrations in red wine, grapes, cocoa, cranberries, apples, and some supplements such as Pycnogenol®.

Asthma: Pycnogenol® may offer clinical benefit to both children and adults with asthma.

Antioxidant: Due to conflicting study results, it is unclear if Pycnogenol® has significant antioxidant effects in humans.

Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Pycnogenol® has been used in adult patients with ADHD to improve concentration.

Chronic venous insufficiency: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a syndrome that includes leg swelling, varicose veins, pain, itching, skin changes, and skin ulcers. The term is more commonly used in Europe than in the United States. Pycnogenol® used in people with chronic venous insufficiency is reported to reduce oedema and pain. Pycnogenol® may also be used in the management of other CVI symptoms.

Pycnogenol® may be useful for reduction of leg ulcers.

Cramps (muscular pain): Pycnogenol® may effectively prevent cramps, muscular pain at rest, and pain after/during exercise in normals, in athletes prone to cramps, in patients with venous disease, in claudicants, and in diabetics with microangiopathy.

Diabetes: Supplementation of Pycnogenol® with conventional diabetes treatment may lower glucose levels and improve endothelial function.

Several studies report benefits of Pycnogenol® in the treatment and prevention of retinopathy, including slowing the progression of retinopathy in diabetics.

Diabetic microangiopathy: Supplementation with Pycnogenol® may improve symptoms associated with diabetic microangiopathy.

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation): Preliminary human data shows that Pycnogenol® may have a potential analgesic (pain relieving) effect on menstrual pain.

Edema (in patients with high blood pressure): Oedema occurs when fluid builds up in body tissues causing swelling. Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure may cause oedema. Early research suggests that Pycnogenol® may help treat oedema linked to calcium antagonist (nifedipine) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Preliminary human study suggests that Pycnogenol® treatment may be effective in decreasing the number of thrombotic events (DVT and SVT) in moderate-to-high risk subjects during long-haul flights. Oedema (swelling) may also be reduced.

Erectile dysfunction: Pycnogenol®, in combination with L-arginine, may cause an improvement in sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction. It is not known what effect each of the individual compounds may have directly on this condition.

Gingival bleeding / plaque: Chewing gum containing Pycnogenol® is reported to minimize gingival bleeding and plaque formation. Pycnogenol® has also been added to toothpaste for a potential antioxidant effect.

High blood pressure: Use of Pycnogenol® may reduce the need for nifedipine and decrease systolic blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.

High cholesterol: Pycnogenol® may reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL/”bad cholesterol”) levels and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL/”good cholesterol”) levels. However, some studies have reported decreases in total cholesterol and LDL levels with no change in HDL.

Male infertility: Human studies report that Pycnogenol® may improve sperm quality and function in sub-fertile men.

Melasma (chloasma): Melasma (or chloasma) is a common disorder of hyperpigmentation of the skin predominately affecting sun-exposed areas in women. Formations of tan or brown patches/spots may occur. Pycnogenol® has been reported to decrease the darkened area and the pigment intensity of melasma and improve symptoms of fatigue, constipation, body pains, and anxiety.

Menopausal symptoms: Early research suggests that Pycnogenol® may help reduce menopausal symptoms without causing side effects.

Migraine: A combination of pine bark extract containing vitamin C and vitamin E may help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines. However, the effects of pine bark extract alone are unknown because other supplements were also used.

Platelet aggregation: One human study reports reduced platelet aggregation in smokers.

Sunburn: Pycnogenol®, taken by mouth, may reduce erythema (redness of the skin) caused by solar ultraviolet light.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Pycnogenol® may be useful as a second line therapy to reduce inflammatory features of SLE.

Suggested Dosage:

Adults (18 years and older): In general, 25-360 milligrams has been taken by mouth in divided doses daily. For gum health, 5 milligrams Pycnogenol® in chewing gum for 14 days has been used.

Pycnogenol® appears to be absorbed into the bloodstream in about 20 minutes. Once absorbed, therapeutic effects are purported to last for approximately 72 hours, followed by excretion in the urine. Because of its astringent taste and occasional minor stomach discomfort, it may be best to take Pycnogenol® with or after meals

Children (younger than 18 years): Due to insufficient data, Pycnogenol® is not recommended for use in children.

Side Effects and Warnings: Pycnogenol® is generally reported as being well tolerated. Low acute and chronic toxicity with mild unwanted effects may occur in a small percentage of patients following oral administration. Because of its astringent taste and occasional minor stomach discomfort, it may be best to take Pycnogenol® with or after meals. To date, no serious adverse effects have been reported in the available scientific literature, although systematic study of safety is not available.

In theory, Pycnogenol® may alter blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Serum glucose levels may need to be monitored by a healthcare provider, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

In theory, Pycnogenol® may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Pycnogenol® is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to lack of scientific evidence.

Interactions with Drugs: Pycnogenol® may interact with other blood pressure lowering medications, specifically angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) such as benazepril (Lotensin®), captopril (Capoten®), enalapril (Vasotec®), fosinopril (Monopril®), lisinopril (Prinivil®), moexipril (Univasc®), perindopril (Aceon®), quinapril (Accupril®), ramipril (Altace®), trandolapril (Mavik®), or angiotensin converting enzyme receptor blockers such as losartan (Cozaar®), irbesartan (Avapro®), candesartan, cilexetil (Atacand®), or valsartan (Diovan®).

Pycnogenol® may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth (such as metformin, glyburide, glipizide) or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

Pycnogenol® may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

Pycnogenol® may interfere with immunosuppressant or immunostimulant drugs. Pycnogenol® may also prevent fluoride induced kidney damage.

Pycnogenol® may have protective effects against alcohol’s effects on brain neurons.