Pine Bark Extract - Drugs & Vitamins - Drug Library

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

Who is this for?

Uses

Preventing and treating a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency is currently the most common use of pine bark extract. Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when blood collects in the veins of the legs because valves in the veins that carry blood back to the heart are weak or damaged. Chronic venous insufficiency may cause heavy, itchy, painful, or tired feelings in the legs. Results that are more serious can include varicose veins, swelling, leg sores, or blood clots in the legs.

Pine bark extract helps to control chronic venous insufficiency in several ways. First, chemicals called proanthocyanidins (or polyphenols) in pine bark extract help keep veins and other blood vessels from leaking. A subgroup of proanthocyanidins is known as flavonoids. Catechin and taxifolin, two flavonoids in pine bark extract, may help blood vessels relax by increasing the production of nitric oxide, a natural body substance that helps keep blood vessels from becoming stiff and narrow. In addition, pine bark extract has anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is often a response to irritation, injury, or infection and it usually includes pain, redness, and swelling in the area of the damage. Inflammation, which can occur within body tissues as well as on the surface of the skin, contributes to chronic venous insufficiency. In addition, pine bark extract may also reduce the stickiness of blood components called platelets. Created in the bone marrow, platelets circulate in the blood. In a process called "platelet aggregation", they stick to injured tissue, beginning the blood clotting process and promoting wound healing. Pine bark extract's potential reduction in platelet aggregation may help to keep blood flowing and reduce the possibility of clots in blood vessels.

Because it relaxes and strengthens the walls of all blood vessels, pine bark extract may also be effective for slowing retinopathy, which is the gradual break down of the retina in the eyes. Individuals with arteriosclerosis (a build up of fatty deposits in the arteries), diabetes, or other conditions that increase the likelihood for damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes are more likely to have serious vision problems as a result of blood vessel damage.

Pine bark extract also has antioxidant activity. Therefore, taking it helps to limit free radicals--potentially harmful chemicals that are produced during oxidation, which is the chemical breakdown of foods into components the body can use. Oxidation also produces by-products known as oxygen free radicals, which may damage cells and suppress immune function. Since exercise can also produce free radicals, some athletes use pine bark extract with the hope of improving their performance. Similarly, some men use pine bark extract because its antioxidant effects are thought to boost fertility by increasing sperm quality and movement. Because pine bark extract may increase the body's production of nitric oxide, a chemical involved in male sexual response, it may also be useful in treating erectile dysfunction (ED).

Limited evidence appears to show that chemicals in pine bark extract could be helpful for other chronic conditions. However, no definitive results prove that pine bark extract is effective for treating any of them.

In a small study of individuals with no known medical problems, taking pine bark extract for 12 weeks generally resulted in lower blood pressure and thinner blood.
Two studies have found that blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol were lowered moderately among individuals who took pine bark extract for four weeks or six weeks.
A recent three-month long study included 156 patients with osteoarthritis. Results showed increased walking time, decreased pain, decreased use of anti-inflammatory drugs, and decreased swelling among patients who took pycnogenol compared to patients who took a placebo (an identical but inactive capsule).
Other studies have shown that pine bark extract may be somewhat effective at relieving abdominal pain for women with endometriosis. Full effectiveness took several weeks to develop for some women, however.
Results from small studies of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) found that pine bark extract may haveimproved concentration and reduced restless behavior after as little as one month of treatment.
Compared to seniors taking placebo, seniors taking pycnogenol performed better on memory tests after three months of therapy in a recent study.
One small pilot study of individuals with migraine headaches showed that taking a combination product containing pine bark extract, vitamin C, and vitamin E for three months helped to reduce the number and intensity of migraines.
In studies of animals with artificially induced diabetes, injected pine bark extract produced significant reductions in blood sugar levels. Case reports and a few small studies of humans have also shown slight antidiabetic effects from oral pine bark extract.
Animal studies have found that pine bark extract may enhance immune function.
Very early results of other laboratory studies appear to show that pine bark extract may prevent the accumulation of proteins similar to those associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Also in animals, pine bark extract seemed to protect the liver from damage caused by chemicals.

Oral and topical pine bark extract may help to even out the tone of skin that has been darkened by various pigmentation disorders such as melasma. In China, a prescription product containing pine bark extract has been approved for treating skin pigmentation conditions. In the United States, pine bark extract is included in a number of non-prescription face creams that claim to fight aging or restore wrinkled skin, but these claims are not documented by scientific research. Pine bark extract is also being investigated to determine if it can help prevent sunburn and skin damage from sun exposure.

When should I be careful taking it?

Individuals who have autoimmune conditions should not take pine bark extract due to its effects on the immune system. Some autoimmune conditions include:

Crohn's disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Type 1 diabetes

Precautions

Not enough is known about how pine bark extract affects a developing baby to recommend its use by pregnant women. Breast-feeding women should also avoid taking pine bark extract because it may pass to the baby in breast milk. No studies of pine bark extract have been conducted in young children, so its potential effects for them are unknown.

What side effects should I watch for?

Few side effects have been reported with the use of pine bark extract. The most frequently reported side effects have been mild gastrointestinal (GI) complaints such as nausea or upset stomach.

What interactions should I watch for?

Because it can enhance immune system function, pine bark extract may interfere with the effects of drugs used to suppress the immune system after organ transplants or in other conditions. Taking pine bark extract is not recommended for individuals who take drugs such as:

azathioprine (Imuran)
CellCept
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Prograf
Rapamune
Zenapax

Pine bark extract may interfere with the effects of corticosteroid drugs, which are used to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions including arthritis, asthma, cancer, eye conditions, and skin infections. Commonly prescribed corticosteroids include:

beclomethasone
dexamethasone (Decadron)
hydrocortisone
methylprednisolone (Medrol)
prednisolone
prednisone

triamcinolone UL>

In one laboratory study, the combination of pine bark extract and aspirin reduced the ability of blood platelets to clump together. In theory, pine bark extract could interfere with other drugs, such as clopidogel, that also decrease the stickiness of platelets. Pine bark extract should not be taken orally at the same time as an antiplatelet drug or aspirin.

No other interactions have been reported with pine bark extract. However, despite a number of studies that have been conducted in humans, its possible interactions with drugs, foods, and other dietary supplements are not understood completely. Individuals who decide to use pine bark extract should discuss its use with a doctor or pharmacist before they begin to use it.

Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how pine bark extract interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions.

Should I take it?

Pine bark extract is obtained from the inner bark of specific types of pine trees (Pinus maritima and Pinus pinaster) that grow mainly in the coastal areas of southwestern France. Since the 1850s, forests of these trees have been planted for use as lumber and paper. Through careful planting and harvesting, the forests now cover more than 2 1/2 million acres. As trees are cut, their fresh bark is removed, the soft inner layer is separated from the rough, outer bark, and the inner bark bark is then processed to produce a powder that can be made into oral or topical products.

Dosage and Administration

Pine bark extract is commonly used in Europe and Asia. Standardized commercial preparations were introduced to the U.S. market in the late 1980s. Standardization by the manufacturer should assure the same amount of active ingredient in every batch of the commercial preparation. Generally, pine bark extract capsules, tablets, or oral liquid forms should contain between 85% and 90% of proanthocyanidins (also known as polyphenols), the active ingredient of pine bark extract. Lotions or creams usually contain between 0.5% and 2% of pine bark extract.

Dosing varies, but typical oral doses used in clinical studies include:
For chronic venous insufficiency: 45 mg to 360 mg per day--usually divided into three doses.

For retinopathy: 50 mg three times a day

For uneven skin tone: 1 mg to 1.7 mg per kilogram of body weight per day*

For exercise enhancement: 200 mg three times a day

For male infertility caused by low sperm count: 200 mg once a day

For coronary heart disease: 150 mg three times a day

For high cholesterol: 120 mg three times a day

For osteoarthritis: 100 mg once a day

For abdominal pain in women: 30 mg to 60 mg once a day

For improving memory: 120 mg to 150 mg once a day

* a kilogram is about 2 1/4 pounds

Summary

Pine bark extract has been shown in studies to help relieve swelling and pain associated with chronic venous insufficiency in the legs and to delay or prevent damage to blood vessels in the retinas of the eyes. Study evidence also supports its use in enhancing exercise capacity, improving fertility for men with inadequate sperm quality and/or movement, and smoothing out uneven skin color. Less support is available for a number of other proposed uses for pine bark extract such as relieving symptoms of coronary artery disease, lowering cholesterol, lessening abdominal pain from endometriosis, and treating Alzheimer's disease. Further research is needed before these and other possible uses of pine bark extract can be recommended.

Risks

Due to its possible effects on the immune system, pine bark extract should not be taken by transplant recipients or by individuals who have autoimmune conditions. Because little is known about pine bark extract, its use is also not recommended for children, pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding.

Side Effects

Other than nausea, few side effects have been attributed to the use of pine bark extract, but not enough information about it is available to determine whether other side effects are possible.

Interactions

Pine bark extract should not be used while taking immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, or antiplatelet agents.

Last Revised April 15, 2008

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Last Revised April 15, 2008

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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