Most people know that pycnogenol is a powerful antioxidant but many don’t know that it has also been shown to be a powerful anti-inflammatory. The grade seed extract used in joint nutra care is from a pesticide free source
Experiments with leukocytes from blood of human after pycnogenol consumption showed further anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Pycnogenol significantly inhibited the synthesis of COX-2 enzyme as well as 5-LOX and FLAP enzymes [1]. Particularly the gene expression of COX-2 is controlled by NF-kB and after pycnogenol consumption for 5 days the COX-2 production was decreased by 78%. The gene expression of 5-LOX is inhibited by 75.5% in leukocytes after 5 days of pycnogenol consumption.
Pycnogenol was demonstrated in a study with 55 osteoarthritis patients to significantly lower the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) by 72%. This study also found a significant reduction of reactive oxygen species in arthritis patients by 30% [2]. This finding proves that the anti-inflammatory activity of pycnogenol is effective in arthritis patients.
Pycnogenol was shown to inhibit the activation of the pro-inflammatory “master switch” NF-kB by 15.8% [3]. The activated NF-kB protein commands the mobilization of pro-inflammatory molecules which play a destructive role in arthritis. As a consequence of NF-kB inhibition immune cells of pycnogenol consumption generate less MMP enzymes which are responsible for degenerating cartilage collagen in osteoarthritis [3]. Pycnogenol consumption was found to naturally inhibit COX-enzymes in humans by 15%, which are predominantly responsible for joint pain [4].
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Clinical trials for osteoarthritis
Two double-blind placebo controlled studies are shown below. These studies utilized the WOMAC score (or physical function) for evaluation of joint pain, joint stiffness and function for primary osteoarthritis (grade I or II) of the knee. Below is a summary table of the results of the 2 studies after 3 months, using pycnogenol 100-150 mg/day (JNC Formula 2 uses 150 mg). [5,6]
| Study number | # of patients | Pain | Joint stiffness | WOMAC |
| #1 using 100 mg/day | 156 | -55 % | -53 % | -56 % |
| #2 using 150 mg/day | 100 | -40 % | -40 % | -22 % |
Abstract for Study #1
The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of 100 mg pycnogenol daily (oral capsules) in a 3 month study in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). OA symptoms were evaluated by WOMAC scores, mobility by recording their walking performance (treadmill). Treatment (77 patients) and placebo group (79) were comparable for age, sex distribution, WOMAC scores, walking distances and use of anti-inflammatory drugs. The global WOMAC score decreased by 56% (p < 0.05) in the treatment group versus 9.6% in the placebo group. Walking distance in the treadmill test was prolonged from 68 m at the start to 198 m after 3 months treatment (p < 0.05), under placebo, from 65 m to 88 m (NS). The use of drugs decreased by 58% in the treatment group (p < 0.05) versus 1% under placebo. Gastrointestinal complications decreased by 63% in the treatment group, but only 3% under placebo. Overall, treatment costs were reduced significantly compared with placebo. Foot edema was present in 76% of the patients of the treatment group at inclusion and in 79% of the controls. After 3 months edema decreased in 79% of pycnogenol patients (p < 0.05) vs 1% in controls. In conclusion, pycnogenol offers an option for reduction of treatment costs and side effects by sparing anti-inflammatory drugs. [5]
Study # 2. Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
Abstract for Study #2
The safe and efficacious use of pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) in other inflammatory diseases prompted this study of its anti-inflammatory effects in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether pycnogenol reduces the symptoms of OA in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomly allocated trial with patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis stages I and II. Results Shows that pycnogenol in patients with mild to moderate OA improves symptoms and is able to reduce use of NSAIDs. [6]
What is pycnogenol:
The research above was done using pycnogenol from pine bark. Pycnogenol is a tradename from the pinebark extract. The same compounds are also found in grape seed extract. Pycnogenol from grape seed extract can be argued to be the same or better than pycnogenol from pine bark. See link http://yourhealth.tripod.com/main/grapefact.htm.
Some have mistakenly felt that pine bark extracts are more powerful. Not so! In Europe, it is true both grape seed and pine bark extracts are known as pycnogenols as coined by Dr. Jacques Masqueller of the University of Bordeaux in France. As the original discoverer of both these substances, and having done several patents, he states …the exceptional scientific and commercial results have all been obtained with OPC from grape seeds. Moreover, he states that the “research that led to U.S. Patent No. 4,698,360 underlining the intense free radical scavenging effect of pycnogenol was …all done with the grape seed OPC.
Other health benefits:
Pycnogenol also has many more health benefits (and no negative ones like NSAID), such as improved cardiovascular health, control of diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels, improved eye health, improved kidney function, and improved athletic performance. Please visit http://www.pycnogenol.com for more information on these amazing benefits
References
- Canali R et al.
Pycnogenol as molecular tool for controlling inflammatory pathways 5-LOX and COX-2 in humans. Manuscript in
preparation, 2008.
- Belcaro G et al.
Variations in C-reactive protein, plasma free radicals and fibrinogen values in patients with osteoarthritis treated with Pycnogenol Redox Report, in print, 2008
- Grimm T et al. Inhibition of NF-kB activation and MMP-9 secretion by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of maritime
pine bark extract (Pycnogenol ) J Inflamm 3: 1-15, 2006.
- Schäfer A et al.
Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activity by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Biomed & Pharmacother 60: 5-9, 2006.
- Belcaro G et al.
Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol
The SVOS (San Valentino osteo-arthrosis study). Evaluation of
signs, symptoms, physical performance and vascular aspects. Phytother Res 22: 518-523, 2008.
6, Cisar P et al.
Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Phytother Res in print 2008.