Pycnogenol for men’s health: part I

A combination of good physical and cognitive health constitutes the foundation of a fulfilling lifestyle. Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract, a registered trademark of Horphag Research, represents an interesting natural health ingredient and a category of its own.

Pycnogenol’s evidence-based health benefits are remarkably versatile, as it offers four key properties that work in synergy with our main body functions: it acts as a potent blend of antioxidants, it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, it stimulates the generation of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, and it helps with blood vessel elasticity by supporting the production of nitric oxide.

During the past 40 years, Pycnogenol has been the subject of extensive research that has resulted in more than 160 published clinical studies and 450 scientific publications. This impressive body of research shows that the extract is a safe, powerful and efficacious solution for a variety of men’s health applications.

Blood circulation and cardiovascular health

Pycnogenol relaxes constricted arteries by stimulating the of nitric oxide from the endothelium (the thin layer coating the interior of arteries). The more nitric oxide is released from the endothelium, the more arteries can dilate and the more oxygen and nutrients they are able to transport (Figure 1).¹

In a double-blind crossover study, it was verified that supplementation with Pycnogenol increased the ability of arteries to relax by 46%. Furthermore, a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with cardiac patients demonstrated that supplementation with Pycnogenol increases flow-dilated arterial relaxation by 23%.²

Figure 1: How Pycnogenol relaxes arterial constriction for better blood flow

Through this mode of action, Pycnogenol is able to support the maintenance of a healthy blood pressure, better supplying the tissues with oxygen and nutrients, and helping to prevent the risk of blood clots.

Pycnogenol normalises high blood pressure

In most cases, an elevated blood pressure coincides with compromised endothelial function. The improved endothelial function achieved with Pycnogenol allows for healthier vasodilatation that, in turns, helps to normalise elevated blood pressure.

Pycnogenol was investigated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with patients presenting with borderline hypertension (who were not yet receiving hypotensive medication). Pycnogenol supplementation during a period of 8 weeks significantly lowered their systolic blood pressure when compared with a placebo. Diastolic pressure was also found to be lowered.³

Pycnogenol prevents thrombosis

Pycnogenol was shown to dose-dependently lower platelet activity in individuals — cigarette smokers — typically presenting with increased platelet aggregation. Blood was drawn before and 2 hours after the administration of a single Pycnogenol dose. The results clearly showed a dose-dependent reduction in platelet activity.

Interestingly, the lowest dose (25 mg of Pycnogenol) noticeably lowered the blood platelet activity.⁴ Further research revealed that Pycnogenol inhibits the release of thromboxane from the platelets of cigarette smokers to levels of healthy non-smokers.⁵

Pycnogenol was also tested in a group of 200 individuals who were at risk of developing thrombosis.⁶ The subjects were habitually remaining in a sedentary position for prolonged periods of time (≥8 hours) during long-haul travel. These conditions are known to cause the pooling of venous blood in the legs, involving blood stasis, which contributes to the development of thrombosis.

The results showed five incidents of transitional thrombosis in a total of 97 subjects (5.15 %) in the placebo group. In contrast, none of the 101 high-risk subjects in the Pycnogenol-treated group developed thrombosis during a long-haul flight.

Pycnogenol improves blood lipid profile

Pycnogenol was found in controlled clinical trials to improve the blood lipid profile of test participants. A significantly improved blood lipid profile was initially discovered in young healthy subjects.⁷ Supplementation with Pycnogenol for 6 weeks significantly increased both HDL and lowered LDL cholesterol. Blood triglyceride levels were unaffected.

A substantial improvement in blood lipids was discovered in a study with patients treated with Pycnogenol for venous insufficiency.⁸ These patients presented with serious dyslipidaemia, with total cholesterol measuring 264 mg/dL, LDL recorded at 169 mg/dL and HDL at 46 mg/dL.

After taking Pycnogenol for just 4 weeks, blood lipids decreased to 212, 147 and 51 mg/dL for total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, respectively. In men with mild hypercholesterolaemia, supplementation with Pycnogenol for a period of 3 months significantly lowered both total cholesterol and LDL by 9.4% and 16%, respectively. HDL increased by 5.5% during this time period.⁹

A study with type II diabetic patients found a significant reduction (12%) of LDL cholesterol from baseline 106.4 mg/dL to 93.7 mg/dL after 3 months of treatment with Pycnogenol. HDL values were not investigated in this trial.¹⁰ Thus, Pycnogenol significantly improves the atherosclerotic index and contributes to protection from atherogenesis.

Recently, a new double-blind placebo-controlled study showed the extract’s ability to reduce LDL-cholesterol in men with and without diabetes.¹¹

Pycnogenol improves glycaemia in diabetes

In diabetes, the excess amounts of glucose that remain unused in the bloodstream may impact the vascular system. Pycnogenol can help to normalise blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of carbohydrates, which results is a reduced glucose load of the bloodstream.

Pycnogenol significantly delays the uptake of complex sugars such as starch. It potently inhibits the digestive enzyme α-glucosidase in the duodenum.

Other α-glucosidase inhibitors, such as green tea extract, pure catechin and the oral antidiabetic medication acarbose (Precose, Glucobay) are dramatically less potent. Pycnogenol delays the uptake of glucose from a meal 190 times more potently than prescription medications, preventing the typical post-prandial high glucose peak in the bloodstream.¹²

Pycnogenol, when taken in addition to medication, has been show to further reduce blood glucose and cardiovascular risk factors in two independent studies: 48 individuals treated with metformin and/or sulfonylurea, as well as thiazolidinediones, received either Pycnogenol or a placebo.¹⁰

Pycnogenol improves metabolic syndrome

Research suggests that Pycnogenol might arrest the progression of metabolic syndrome leading to type II diabetes.¹³ One hundred and thirty seven participants with metabolic syndrome, presenting with all five risk factors (central obesity, high blood triglycerides, high LDL, low HDL and hypertension) were counselled for a healthier lifestyle including dietary advice, an educational programme and a moderate exercise programme.

Seventy one subjects were additionally supplemented with Pycnogenol. All subjects were surveyed for 6 months. This study identified significant fasting glucose improvements after 3 and 6 months of daily supplementation with Pycnogenol.

References

1. K. Nishioka, et al., “Pycnogenol, French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Augments Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Humans,” Hypertens. Res. 30(9), 775–780 (2007).
2. F. Enseleit, et al., “Effects of Pycnogenol on Endothelial Function in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study,” Eur. Heart. J. 33(13),1589–1597: doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr482 (2012).
3. S. Hosseini, et al., “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Prospective, 16 Week Crossover Study to Determine the Role of Pycnogenol in Modifying Blood Pressure in Mildly Hypertensive Patients,” Nutr. Res. 21, 1251–1260 (2001).
4. M. Putter, et al., “Inhibition of Smoking-Induced Platelet Aggregation by Aspirin and Pycnogenol,” Thromb. Res. 95(4), 155–161 (1999).
5. M. Araghi-Niknam, et al., “Pine Bark Extract Reduces Platelet Aggregation,” Integr. Med. 2(2), 73–77 (1999).
6. G. Belcaro, et al., “Prevention of Venous Thrombosis and Thrombophlebitis in Long-Haul Flights with Pycnogenol,” Clin. Appl. Thromb. Hemost. 10(4), 373–377 (2004).
7. S. Devaraj, et al., “Supplementation with a Pine Bark Extract Rich in Polyphenols Increases Plasma Antioxidant Capacity and Alters the Plasma Lipoprotein Profile,” Lipids 37(10), 931–934 (2002).
8. R. Koch, “Comparative Study of Venostasin and Pycnogenol in Chronic Venous Insufficiency," Phytother. Res. 16(Suppl. 1), S1–S5 (2002).
9. Z. Durackova, et al., “Lipid Metabolism and Erectile Function Improvement by Pycnogenol, Extract from the Bark of Pinus pinaster in Patients Suffering from Erectile Dysfunction: A Pilot Study,” Nutr. Res. 23, 1189–1198 (2003).
10. S. Zibadi, et al., “Reduction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes by Pycnogenol Supplementation,” Nutr. Res. 28(5), 315–320 (2008).
11. B. Trebaticky, et al., “Natural Polyphenols Improve Erectile Function and Lipid Profile in Patients Suffering from Erectile Dysfunction,” Bratisl. Lek. Listy 120(12), 941–944. doi: 10.4149/BLL_2019_158 (2019).
12. A. Schafer and P. Hogger, “Oligomeric Procyanidins of French Maritime Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) Effectively Inhibit Alpha-Glucosidase,” Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 77(1), 41–46 (2007).
13. G. Belcaro, et al., “Pycnogenol Supplementation Improves Health Risk Factors in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome,” Phytother. Res. 27, 1572–1578 (2013).