GENEVA, Switzerland - A study published in the April 2006 issue of the Journal of Inflammation shows the ability of pine bark extract Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) to effectively prevent inflammation disorders in patients by moderating the immune system response. Patients who supplemented with Pycnogenol demonstrated a modulated immune response which prevented non-infectious incidents from triggering full-fledged inflammation as the result of immune system reactions. These findings support Pycnogenol’s ability to promote anti-inflammatory effects in humans.
The clinical study, conducted at the University of Würzburg in Germany, showed that a 200 mg oral intake of Pycnogenol lowered the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ĸB), the immune cell “trigger” for inflammation, in a group of seven healthy volunteers. Blood samples were taken prior to the start of the study and again after five days of supplementation with Pycnogenol. Key immune cells in the blood plasma, also known as monocytes, drawn after Pycnogenol supplementation showed a significantly lowered NF-ĸB response by 15 percent as compared to without supplementation of the pine bark extract.
“Inflammation is a double-edged sword defending and threatening our health. Inflammation is crucial for fighting infections and healing wounds. Yet, inflammation may erroneously aim at the body’s own tissue causing significant damage,” said Petra Högger Ph.D., lead author of the study.
“The processes leading to inflammation are triggered by a main switch in immune cells also called nuclear factor-kappa B,” said Dr. Högger. “This study demonstrates, for the first time in patients’ blood samples, Pycnogenol’s ability to inhibit NF-ĸB and the pro-inflammatory molecules under its control, therefore helping to prevent harmful inflammation from damaging tissue.”
In monocytes, the triggering of NF-κB initiates generation of a fleet of pro-inflammatory molecules. This clinical trial investigated the release of enzymes from monocytes responsible for the connective damage by other enzymes also known as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The lowering of NF-κB was found to consequently lower the amount of MMPs secreted by 25 percent after Pycnogenol supplementation in healthy volunteers.
NF-κB is activated by any incident indicating that tissue may become harmed, such as immune cells recognizing foreign material in the body or simply the decay of a significant number of cells in tissues. The NF-κB gene switches on the production of pro-inflammatory molecules required for recruiting immune cells from the blood stream to the affected tissue. These immune cells migrate through blood vessel walls into tissue, where they unload major quantities of destructive enzymes and toxic substances.
Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes regulate and maintain the inflammatory process and are responsible for the pain sensation so that the affected tissue is spared from unnecessary use. Certain enzymes, MMPs, dissolve connective fibers such as collagen and elastin to allow immune cells to maneuver freely and to facilitate subsequent tissue healing. These processes take place at the expense of the body’s own tissue getting harmed or “friendly fire.” Yet, this will take place only temporarily and is followed by cell divisions leading to healing of tissues.
“A typical example of harmful inflammation is an asthma attack, where cells in the bronchi perceive harmless substances as foreign and the inflammatory main switch is triggered to initiate an immune reaction causing swellings in the bronchi and greatly impairing breathing,” said Dr. Högger. “This inflammation causes further harm to affected tissue resulting in self-maintained, chronic inflammation.”
In separate studies published in 2004 and 2005, and an upcoming study, Pycnogenol demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects in clinical trials for asthma, dysmenorrhea and osteoarthritis.
Results of a study to be released later this year showed Pycnogenol reduced inflammation relating to symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study of OA patients who supplemented with Pycnogenol reported significantly reduced pain and stiffness and increased physical function.
Placebo group patients increased non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and used them on more days during the treatment period than patients who supplemented with Pycnogenol. The anti-inflammatory and tissue protective activity of Pycnogenol could explain reduced symptoms of OA despite less NSAID and other drug use. Study results showed supplementation with Pycnogenol offers a promising alternative therapy for relieving OA symptoms of pain and stiffness.
Pycnogenol is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the Maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 35 years and has more than 220 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol is available in more than 400 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information or a copy of this study, visit www.pycnogenol.com.
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About Pycnogenol®
Pycnogenol® is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and phenolic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 340 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com.
About Horphag Research
Horphag Research Ltd. is the exclusive worldwide supplier of Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French maritime pine bark extract. Pycnogenol® is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd. For its patented ingredient, Pycnogenol®, Horphag Research has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award, Nutraceutical Business & Technology Safety & Quality Award, SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and The American Botanical Council’s Tyler Research Award. For more information about Pycnogenol® visit www.pycnogenol.com