Pine Bark

Pine Bark

Pine bark extract, also known as pycnogenol, is derived from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). Pine bark is a popular herbal supplement in several Western countries. It is rich in several bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, which is known to possess medicinal properties. In addition, pine bark is a highly potent antioxidant which helps protect against damaging free radicals.

Benefits of Pine Bark

The following are some of the exciting research to date on the health benefits of pine bark:

Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Improves Symptoms of Diabetes

Pine bark extract has blood sugar-lowering effect. According to a study conducted by the Guang An Men Hospital of Chinese Medical Science Research Institute on 77 patients with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that supplementation of 100 mg pycnogenol for 12 weeks significantly lowered blood sugar levels and improved diabetic symptoms.^[1]   

Treats Various Infections

Pine bark extract possesses antibacterial properties which can help prevent infection. In a study published in Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences, researchers found that the proanthocyanidins (flavonoids) in pine bark extract were effective in inhibiting the growth of different strain of bacteria, making it a potential natural preventive measure for different types of infections.^[2]  

Fights Allergy and Asthma

Pycnogenol can be effective for allergic medical conditions. Pycnogenol, when administered at least 5 weeks before the allergy season, helped improve eye and nasal symptoms in allergic individuals.^[3] In addition, pycnogenol can also be an adjunct to asthma treatment because it may improve pulmonary function in asthmatic children.^[4] On the cellular level, pycnogenol inhibits activation of mast cells that release allergy-provoking histamine in times of stress.^[5] A supplementary article in a journal suggested that pycnogenol may help improve allergy symptoms in asthmatic patients who are allergic to mites in house dust.^[6]

Helps Maintain a Healthy Blood Circulation

One pilot study demonstrated the effectiveness of pycnogenol in improving leg heaviness and swelling in persons with chronic venous insufficiency (blood circulation problem caused by damaged vein valves).^[7] In another study, researchers found that daily use of 200 mg pycnogenol  4 times a day for 5 weeks can help reduce pain and cramps, as well as improve circulation in patients with  microangiopathy (disease of blood vessels).^[8]

Improves Exercise Endurance and Athletic Performance

There are studies that show that pycnogenol can help improve physical performance. When researchers administered a single dose of pycnogenol in trained cyclists, a significant improvement in power output and endurance was observed.^[9] Additionally, one study found that pycnogenol ingestion was able to reduce the incidence of cramps and muscular pain in patients with blood vessel problems as well as in healthy athletes without causing negative effects.^[10]

Maintains a Healthy Skin

Evidence suggests that pine bark extract also has anti-aging properties. One study revealed that pycnogenol supplementation in postmenopausal women at a dose of 75 mg per day increased skin elasticity and skin hydration after 6 weeks.^[11]    

References:

1. Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Würthwein G, Rohdewald P. Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sci. 2004;75(21):2505-13.
2. Sadeghi M, Zolfaghari B, Jahanian-najafabadi A, Abtahi SR. Anti-pseudomonas activity of essential oil, total extract, and proanthocyanidins of Pinus eldarica Medw. bark. Res Pharm Sci. 2016;11(1):58-64.
3. Wilson D. et al. 2010. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study to evaluate the potential of pycnogenol® for improving allergic rhinitis symptoms. Phytotherapy Research; 24 (8) 1115-1119.
4. Lau B. et al. 2004. Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma. The Journal of Asthma; 41 (8) 825-832.
5. Choi Y., Yan G. 2009. Pycnogenol inhibits immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic response in mast cells. Phytotherapy Research; 23 (12) 1691-1695.
6. Belcaro G. et al. 2011. Pycnogenol® improvements in asthma management. Panminerva Medica; 53 (1 supplementary article) 57-64.
7. Petrassi C., Mastomarino A., Spartera C.2000. PYCNOGENOL® in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytomedicine; 7 (5) 383-388.
8. Vinciguerra G. & Belcaro G. et al. 2006. Cramps and Muscular Pain: Prevention with Pycnogenol® in Normal Subjects, Venous Patients, Athletes, Claudicants and in Diabetic Microangiopathy. Angiology; 57 (3) 331-339.
9. Bentley D. et al. 2012. Acute Antioxidant Supplementation Improves Endurance Performance in Trained Athletes. Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal; 20 (1) 1-12.
10. Vinciguerra G, Belcaro G, Cesarone M.R. et al. Cramps and muscular pain: Prevention with pycnogenol in normal subjects, venous patients, athletes, claudicants and in diabetic microangiopathy. Angiology. 2006;57:331–9.
11. Marini A, Grether-beck S, Jaenicke T, et al. Pycnogenol® effects on skin elasticity and hydration coincide with increased gene expressions of collagen type I and hyaluronic acid synthase in women. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2012;25(2):86-92.