Clinical Summary

Derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, Pinus maritima, a trademarked product, Pycnogenol®, has been used in clinical trials. Pine bark extract consists of proanthocyanidins which have strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory properties and exhibit immunostimulant effect in animals ⁽¹⁾. It has been studied for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and endothelial dysfunction ⁽²⁾ in adults ⁽³⁾, and in children ⁽⁴⁾, cardiovascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency ⁽⁵⁾, and inflammatory conditions ⁽⁶⁾. In addition, pycnogenol supplementation enhances memory in elderly participants ⁽⁷⁾, reduces menopausal symptoms in peri-menopausal women ⁽⁸⁾, and improves osteoarthritis symptoms in patients with grade I or II osteoarthritis ^{(9) (10)}. It is also used to treat skin disorders such as melasma ⁽¹¹⁾ and erythema ⁽¹²⁾, endometriosis ⁽¹³⁾, and systemic lupus erythematosus ⁽¹⁴⁾. In vitro studies indicate that pycnogenol inhibits HIV attachment and replication ⁽¹⁵⁾, suppresses encephalomyocarditis virus (EMV) replication ⁽¹⁶⁾, and represses Helicobacter pylori growth and adherence to a gastric cell line, AGS cells ⁽¹⁷⁾. Pine bark extract, when used in conjunction with L-arginine, has been found effective in treating erectile dysfunction ⁽¹⁸⁾. Chewing gum containing pine bark extract may reduce gingival bleeding and plaque accumulation ⁽¹⁹⁾.

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