Inactivation of free radicals
All components of Pycnogenol® inactivate free radicals (Packer et al., 1999). Furthermore, Pycnogenol® stimulates the cells of our body to double their own production of anti-oxidative substances (Wei et al., 1997). Thus, in addition to directly neutralizing free radicals, Pycnogenol reinforces the cell-own antioxidant protection. Additionally, Pycnogenol® prolongs the lifetime of the anti-oxidative vitamins C and E (Packer et al., 1999). The combination of synergistic antioxidative effects make Pycnogenol® unique as one of the most potent natural radical scavengers.
Because free radicals are involved in all inflammatory diseases, cases of oxidative stress as well as the ageing process itself, it is not astonishing at all that Pycnogenol® is recommended for a wide range of applications were an uncontrolled burst of free radicals need to be kept in check.
Binding to proteins
Pycnogenol® has a strong astringent taste. That taste signalizes the high affinity of Pycnogenol® to the proteins of the tongue. Pycnogenol® binds very strongly particularly to those proteins which are responsible for the strength and flexibility of our tissues and blood vessels. Several diseases cause a leakage of blood vessels, so that liquid seeps into the tissue, producing swellings. In more severe cases, even blood leaks out from the vessels, so that micro bleedings occur. The pathologically high permeability of blood vessels can be stopped by Pycnogenol® because the elements forming the vessel walls are linked together by Pycnogenol®.
Leaky blood vessels can occur in every part of the body. The strengthening of blood vessels by Pycnogenol® reduces the associated edemas or bleedings irrespective if they appear on legs or in eyes, because the sealing of blood vessels functions independently from the localization of the leakage.
Stimulation of nitirc oxide production inside the blood vessels
Nitric oxide is a body-own substance produced to trigger very important functions of the cardiovascular system: It reduces blood pressure by enlarging the diameter of blood vessels, it inhibits the clumping of blood, it has anti-aterosclerotic effects by prevention of accumulation of white blood cells on the blood vessel walls.
The most important effect of Pycnogenol® for protection of the cardiovascular system is the stimulation of the production of nitric oxide inside blood vessel walls (Fitzpatrick et al., 1998).
In patients with arteriosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes or heart insufficiency the ability of the blood vessel wall to produce nitric oxide is dangerously low.
A supplementation with Pycnogenol® has normalized mild hypertension (Watson et al., 2001) and has prevented the clumping of blood in smokers (Pütter et al., 1999), so that the expected effects of an enhanced production of nitric oxide were proven in clinical trials.
An improved or normalized circulation helps to prevent cardiovascular events like heart attacks or stroke.
Activity against cramps
Some of the components of Pycnogenol®, phenolic acids, have a spasmolytic action on the uterus, as these acids can prevent the uterus from cramping (Ozaki and Ma, 1990).
In a clinical investigation, it was found that supplementation with Pycnogenol® reduces pain and cramps in women with menstrual disorders or endometriosis (Kohama and Suzuki, 1999).
To summarize, the anti-oxidative activity, the high affinity to proteins, the stimulation of nitric oxide and the spasmolytic activity of Pycnogenol® are the result of a combination of effects of the various components of that natural extract. Each of the components contributes to the beneficial effects of Pycnogenol®. Some compounds are better antioxidants, others stick more to proteins, some are spasmolytic, altogether the components combined in that natural blend represent a very valuable and versatile food supplement.
1. Packer L, Rimbach G, Virgili F. Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, Pycnogenol. Free Radical Biol & Med 27: 704-724, 1999.
2. Wei ZH, Peng QL, Lau BHS. Pycnogenol enhances endothelial cell antioxidant defences. Redox Report 3: 219-224, 1997.
3. Fitzpatrick DF, Bing B, Rohdewald P. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol. Cardiovasc Pharmacol 32: 509-515, 1998.
4. Watson RR, Hosseini S, Pishnamazi S, Sadrzadeh S, Farid F, Farid R. Pycnogenol in the management of asthma. J Medicinal Food 4: 201-209, 2001.
5. Pütter M, Grotemeyer KHM, Würthwein G et al. Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and Pycnogenol. Thrombosis Research 95: 155-161, 1999.
6. Ozaki Y, Ma S. Inhibitory effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid on spontaneous movement of rat uterus in situ. Chem Pharm Bull 38: 1620-1623, 1990.
7. Kohama T, Suzuki N. The treatment of gynaecological disorders with Pycnogenol. Eur Bull Drug Res 7: 30-32, 1999.
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