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Herbs & Supplements

Pine Bark
Scientific Name: Pine Bark Extract
Other Names: French Marine Pine Bark Extract, French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Leucoanthocyanidins, OPC, Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, PCO, Pinus maritima, Pinus pinaster, Procyandiol Oligomers, Procyanodolic Oligomers, Pycnogenol, Pygenol

References

Ahn TH, Yang YS, Lee JC, et al. Ameliorative effects of pycnogenol on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic oxidative damage in rats. Phytotherapy Research. 2007;21(11):1015-1019.

Anon: Pycnogenol. In: DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons. April 2001.

Araghi-Niknam M, Hosseini S, Larson D, Rohdewald P, Watson RR. Pine bark extract reduces platelet aggregation. Integrated Medicine. 2000;2(2):73-77.

Arcangeli P. Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Fitoterapia. 2000;71(3):236-244.

Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Errichi S, et al. Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol((R)). The SVOS (San Valentino osteo-arthrosis [sic] study). evaluation of signs, symptoms, physical performance and vascular aspects. Phytotherapy Research. 2008;22(4):518-523.

Berthold HK, Unverdorben S, Degenhardt R, Bulitta M, Gouni-Berthold I. Effect of policosanol on lipid levels among patients with hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;295(19):2262-2269.

Busserolles J, Gueux E, Balasinska B, et al. In vivo antioxidant activity of procyanidin-rich extracts from grape seed and pine (Pinus maritima) bark in rats. International Journal of Vitamins and Nutrition Research. 2006;76(1):22-27.

Chayasirisobhon S. Use of a pine bark extract and antioxidant vitamin combination product as therapy for migraine in patients refractory to pharmacologic medication. Headache. 2006;46(5):788-793.

Chen JT, Wesley R, Shamburek RD, Pucino F, Csako G. Meta-analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia: plant sterols and stanols versus policosanol. Pharmacotherapy. 2005;25(2):171-183.

Cheshier JE, Ardestani-Kaboudanian S, Liang B, et al. Immunomodulation by pycnogenol in retrovirus-induced or ethanol-fed mice. Life Sciences. 1996;58(5):87-96.

Cho KJ, Yun CH, Packer L, Chung AS. Inhibition mechanisms of bioflavonoids extracted from the bark of Pinus maritima on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2001;928:141-156.

Comhaire FH, Mahmoud A. The role of food supplements in the treatment of the infertile man. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 2003;7(4):385-391.

Chovanova Z, Muchova J, Sivonova M, et al. Effect of polyphenolic extract, Pycnogenol, on the level of 8-oxoguanine in children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Free Radical Research. 2006;40(9):1003-1010.

Devaraj S, Vega-Lopez S, Kaul N, Schonlau F, Rohdewald P, Jialal I. Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile. Lipids. 2002;37(10):931-934.

Dvorakova M, Jezova D, Blazicek P, et al. Urinary catecholamines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): modulation by a polyphenolic extract from pine bark (pycnogenol). Nutritional Neuroscience. 2007;10(3-4):151-157.

Dvorakova M, Sivonova M, Trebaticka J, et al. The effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Redox Reports. 2006;11(4):163-172.

Feng WH, Wei HL, Liu GT. Effect of pycnogenol on the toxicity of heart, bone marrow and immune organs as induced by antitumor drugs. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(5):414-418.

Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 1998;32(4):509-515.

Golanski J, Muchova J, Golanski R, Durackova Z, Markuszewski L, Watala C. Does pycnogenol intensify the efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid in the inhibition of platelet function? In vitro experience. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2006;60:316-321.

Grimm T, Chovanova Z, Muchova J, et al. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and MMP-9 secretion by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Journal of Inflammation (London). 2006;3:1.

Grimm T, Schafer A, Hogger P. Antioxidant activity and inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases by metabolites of maritime pine bark extract (pycnogenol. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 2004;36(6):811-822.

Gulati OP. Pycnogenol(R) in venous disorders: a review. European Bulletin of Drug Research. 1999;7(2):8-13.

Hasegawa N. Inhibition of lipogenesis by pycnogenol. Phytotherapy Research. 2000;14(6):472-473.

Hasegawa N. Stimulation of lipolysis by pycnogenol. Phytotherapy Research. 1999;13(7):619-620.

Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000.

Kim YM, Jeong YK, Wang MH, Lee WY, Rhee HI. Inhibitory effect of pine extract on alpha-glucosidase activity and postprandial hyperglycemia. Nutrition. 2005;21(6):756-761.

Kim YM, Wang MH, Rhee HI. A novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from pine bark. Carbohydrate Research. 2004;339(3):715-717.

Kimbrough C, Chun M, dela Roca G, Lau BH. Pycnogenol chewing gum minimizes gingival bleeding and plaque formation. Phytomedicine. 2002;9(5):410-413.

Koch R. Comparative study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytotherapy Research. 2002:16(Suppl 1):S1-S5.

Kohama T, Herai K, Inoue M. Effect of French maritime pine bark extract on endometriosis as compared with leuprorelin acetate. Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2007;52(8):703-708.

Kohama T, Suzuki N. The treatment of gynaecological [sic]disorders with Pycnogenol(R). European Bulletin of Drug Research. 1999;7(2):30-32.

Liu F, Lau BHS, Peng Q, Shah V. Pycnogenol protects vascular endothelial cells from beta-amyloid-induced injury. Biology and Pharmacology Bulletin. 2000;23(6):735-737.

Liu FJ, Zhang YX, Lau BH. Pycnogenol enhances immune and haemopoietic [sic] functions in senescence-accelerated mice. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences. 1998;54(10):1168-1172.

Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Wurthwein G, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, improves endothelial function of hypertensive patients. Life Sciences. 2004;74(7):855-862.

Liu X, Wei J, Tan F, Zhou S, Wurthwein G, Rohdewald P. Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II. Life Sciences. 2004;75(21):2505-2013.

Maritim A, Dene BA, Sanders RA, Watkins JB 3rd. Effects of pycnogenol treatment on oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Toxicology. 2003;17(3):193-199.

Martinez MJ, Bonfill X, Moreno RM, Vargas E, Capella D. Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database Systematic Review. 2005;(3):CD003229.

Matsumori A. Treatment options in myocarditis: what we know from experimental data and how it translates to clinical trials. Herz. 2007;32(6):452-456.

Matsumori A, Higuchi H, Shimada M. French maritime pine bark extract inhibits viral replication and prevents development of viral myocarditis. Journal of Cardiac Failure. 2007;13(9):785-791.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Online Edition. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2006. Available at: http://www.pharmacistsletter.com/(S(ulqz3s45omt3ag5 5um4kj345))/home.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND.

Ni Z, Mu Y, Gulati O. Treatment of melasma with Pycnogenol. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16(6):567-571.

Nicolaides AN. Chronic venous disease and the leukocyte-endothelium interaction: from symptoms to ulceration. Angiology. 2005;56(Suppl 1):S11-S19.

Nishioka K, Hidaka T, Nakamura S, et al. Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation in humans. Hypertension Research. 2007;30(9):775-780.

Nocun M, Ulicna O, Muchova J, Durackova Z, Watala C. French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol((R))) reduces thromboxane generation in blood from diabetic male rats. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 2008;62(3):168-172.

Pascarella L, Schonbein GW, Bergan JJ. Microcirculation and venous ulcers: a review. Annals of Vascular Surgery. 2005;19(6):921-927.

Pavlovic P. Improved endurance by use of antioxidants. European Bulletin of Drug Research. 1999;7(2):26-29.

Peng QL, Buz'Zard AR, Lau BH. Pycnogenol protects neurons from amyloid-beta peptide-induced apoptosis. Brain Research and Molecular Brain Research. 2002;104(1):55-65.

Petrassi C, Mastromarino A, Spartera C. Pycnogenol in chronic venous insufficiency. Phytomedicine. 2000;7:383-388.

Putter M, Grotemeyer KH, Wurthwein G, et al. Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and pycnogenol. Thrombosis Research. 1999;95(4):155-161.

Rihn B, Saliou C, Bottin MC, Keith G, Packer L. From ancient remedies to modern therapeutics: pine bark uses in skin disorders revisited. Phytotherapy Research. 2001;15(1):76-78.

Rohdewald P. A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2002;40(4):158-168.

Rohdewald P. Bioavailability and metabolism of Pycnogenol(R). European Bulletin of Drug Research. 1999;7(2):5-7.

Rohdewald P. Composition and safety of pycnogenol. Presented at the Fifth International Pycnogenol(R) Symposium. October 1998. Available at: http://kiwi.hypermart.net/symposium.html#1 Accessed March 11, 2003.

Rohdewald P. Reducing the risk for stroke and heart infarction with Pycnogenol(R). European Bulletin of Drug Research. 1999;7(2):14-18.

Rohdewald P, Beil W. In vitro inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth and adherence to gastric mucosal cells by Pycnogenol((R)). Phytotherapy Research. Epublished ahead of print. March 18, 2008.

Roques D. The forest of "Landes de Gascogne". Presented at the Fifth International Pycnogenol(R) Symposium. October 1998. Available at: http://kiwi.hypermart.net/symposium.html#1 Accessed March 11, 2003.

Roseff SJ, Gulati R. Improvement of sperm quality by Pycnogenol(R). European Journal of Drug Research. 1999;7(2):33-36.

Roseff SJ. Improvement in sperm quality and function with French maritime pine tree bark extract. Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2002;47(10):821-824.

Saleem A, Kivela H, Pihlaja K. Antioxidant activity of pine bark constituents. Zeitschrift Fuer Naturforschung. Section C. Biosciences. 2003;58(5-6):351-354.

Saliou C, Rimbach G, Molni H, et al. Solar ultraviolet-induced erythema in human skin and nuclear factor-kappa-b-dependent gene expression in keratinocytes are modulated by a French maritime pine bark extract. Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine. 2001;30(2):154-160.

Schafer A, Chovanova Z, Muchova J, et al. Inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 activity by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 2006;60(1):5-9.

Schafer A, Hogger P. Oligomeric procyanidins of French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol((R))) effectively inhibit alpha-glucosidase. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2007;77(1):41-46.

Schonlau F, Rohdewald P. Pycnogenol for diabetic retinopathy. A review. International Ophthalmology. 2001;24(3):161-171.

Shand B, Strey C, Scott R, Morrison Z, Gieseg S. Pilot study on the clinical effects of dietary supplementation with Enzogenol, a flavonoid extract of pine bark and vitamin C. Phytotherapy Research. 2003;17(5):490-494.

Sharma SC, Sharma S, Gulati OP. Pycnogenol prevents haemolytic [sic] injury in G6PD deficient human erythrocytes. Phytotherapy Research. 2003;17(6):671-674.

Sharma SC, Sharma S, Gulati OP. Pycnogenol inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells. Phytotherapy Research. 2003;17(1):66-69.

Sivonova M, Zitnanova I, Horakova L, et al. The combined effect of pycnogenol with ascorbic acid and trolox on the oxidation of lipids and proteins. General Physiology and Biophysics. 2006;25(4):379-396.

Spadea L, Balestrazzi E. Treatment of vascular retinopathies with Pycnogenol. Phytotherapy Research. 2001;15(3):219-223.

Spignoli G. Protective effects of dietary flavonoids on cardiovascular system and circulation. European Bulletin of Drug Research. 2000;8(1):1-8.

Stanislavov R, Nikolova V. Treatment of erectile dysfunction with pycnogenol and L-arginine. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. 2003;29(3):207-213.

Stefanescu M, Matache C, Onu A, et al. Pycnogenol efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Phytotherapy Research. 2001;15(8):698-704.

Stvrtinova V, Jahnova E, Weissova S, Horvathova M, Ferencik M. Inflammatory mechanisms involving neutrophils in chronic venous insufficiency of lower limbs. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2001;102(5):235-239.

Tenenbaum S, Paull JC, Sparrow EP, Dodd DK, Green L. An experimental comparison of Pycnogenol and methylphenidate in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Journal of Attention Disorders. 2002;6(2):49-60.

Tourino S, Selga A, Jimenez A, et al. Procyanidin fractions from pine (Pinus pinaster) bark: radical scavenging power in solution, antioxidant activity in emulsion, and antiproliferative effect in melanoma cells. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2005;53(12):4728-4735.

Trebaticka J, Kopasova S, Hradecna Z, et al. Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol((R)). European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2006;15(6):329-335.

Yang YS, Ahn TH, Lee JC, et al. Protective effects of Pycnogenol on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Food Chemistry and Toxicology. 2008;46(1):380-387.

Tenenbaum S, Paull JC, Sparrow EP, Dodd DK, Green L. An experimental comparison of Pycnogenol and methylphenidate in adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Journal of Attention Disorders. 2002;6(2):49-60.

Zhang D, Tao Y, Gao J, et al. Pycnogenol in cigarette filters scavenges free radicals and reduces mutagenicity and toxicity of tobacco smoke in vivo. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 2002;18(5):215-224.

Last Revised April 15, 2008

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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.

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