Pycnogenol is a standardized pine bark extract derived specifically from French maritime pine trees (Pinus pinaster) found on the coast of France. It provides a concentrated source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, including procyanidin oligomers (65–75% by weight), catechin, epicatechin, taxifolin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid.
Pycnogenol possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoactive properties that may beneficially impact various health conditions.
The biological activity of pycnogenol is due to its diverse and rich content of polyphenols. Following ingestion, some of these compounds are metabolized by bacteria in the colon into other bioactive compounds that can be absorbed. For example, bacteria can convert the procyanidins in pycnogenol into the compound M1 (δ-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-γ-valerolactone), which is thought to strongly contribute to its overall biological effects.
Pycnogenol seems to decrease pain and inflammation by reducing the activity of certain pathways in the body that lead to the production of pro-inflammatory compounds, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes. As an antioxidant, in vitro and animal research suggests that pycnogenol may directly scavenge free radicals, regenerate other antioxidants in the body (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione), and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The above effects, as well as pycnogenol’s ability to enhance nitric oxide synthesis and increase capillary integrity, may contribute to reduced capillary permeability and increased blood flow.
Pycnogenol may reduce the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (e.g., leg pain, heaviness, and edema; venous ulcers; microangiopathy) and reduce leg edema and blood clot risk during long-duration air travel.
Short-term (≤3 months) trials have found that pycnogenol may reduce pain, improve physical functioning, and reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in people with osteoarthritis. Interestingly, research suggests that some compounds in pycnogenol can enter the synovial fluid in joints, where they may act locally to reduce inflammation and inhibit the breakdown of collagen.
The possibility of overcoming erectile dysfunction (ED) by increasing the amounts of endogenous NO was investigated. For this purpose, Pycnogenol was administered orally, because it is known to increase production of NO by nitric oxide syntase together with L-arginine as substrate for this enzyme. The study included 40 men, aged 25-45 years, without confirmed organic erectile dysfunction. Throughout the 3-month trial period, patients received 3 ampoules Sargenor a day, a drinkable solution of the dipeptide arginyl aspartate (equivalent to 1.7 g L-arginine per day). During the second month, patients were additionally supplemented with 40 mg Pycnogenol two times per day; during the third month, the daily dosage was increased to three 40-mg Pycnogenol tablets. A sexual function questionnaire and a sexual activity diary from each patient was obtained. After 1 month of treatment with L-arginine, a statistically nonsignificant number of 2 patients (5%) experienced a normal erection. Treatment with a combination of L-arginine and Pycnogenol for the following month increased the number of men with restored sexual ability to 80%. Finally, after the third month of treatment, 92.5% of the men experienced a normal erection. It was concluded that oral administration of L-arginine in combination with Pycnogenol causes a significant improvement in sexual function in men with ED without any side effects.
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References:
Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol.
J Cardiovasc Pharmacol (1998-Oct
Grimm T, et al. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and MMP-9 secretion by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol).
J Inflamm (Lond) (2006-Jan-27)
Cesarone MR, et al. Chronic venous insufficiency and venous microangiopathy: management with compression and Pycnogenol®.
Minerva Cardioangiol (2019-Aug)
Cesarone MR, et al. Rapid relief of signs/symptoms in chronic venous microangiopathy with pycnogenol: a prospective, controlled study.
Angiology (2006)
Gulati OP. Pycnogenol® in chronic venous insufficiency and related venous disorders.
Phytother Res (2014-Mar)
Chan V, Wang L, Allman-Farinelli M. Efficacy of Functional Foods, Beverages, and Supplements Claiming to Alleviate Air Travel Symptoms: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nutrients (2021-Mar-16)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12851125
