Why does Pycnogenol® offer such a wide range of health benefits?

Pycnogenol®, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, is described as the “gold standard in naturopathy,” a “phenomenon,” and a “natural all-rounder”1^{, 2}. Clinical studies have shown that Pycnogenol® ^supports cardiovascular health, cognitive function, respiratory health, as well as eye health, skin care, women’s health, and various other bodily functions^.³⁻¹⁰ But how can a single ingredient offer such a wide range of benefits for various applications? Let’s take a closer look at the holistic nature and effectiveness of Pycnogenol®.

Pycnogenol® is much more than just an ingredient

First and foremost, Pycnogenol® stands out from individual compounds and active ingredients. Pycnogenol® is a naturally programmed combination with consistent proportions of procyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids that exhibit remarkable properties. Pycnogenol®, the extract from French maritime pine bark, contains a unique blend of active compounds not found in any other plant extract. Each of its compounds acts differently within the body. Some of the larger molecules are broken down into metabolites in the intestines. Interestingly, these metabolites are also absorbed into our bloodstream and contribute to the overall effectiveness of Pycnogenol®.

Consequently, Pycnogenol® offers a comprehensive spectrum of active compounds, which sets it apart from single-component alternatives. The most important properties of Pycnogenol® for the body are its powerful antioxidant effects³^{, ⁴, 11–16}, its natural anti-inflammatory ^{effects¹⁷–¹⁹}, its effects on the skin and tissues⁸^{, ¹⁸, ²⁰, ²¹,} and its support for blood circulation³^{, ⁷, ²²–³³}.

Taken together, these mechanisms explain Pycnogenol®’s wide range of applications in the fields of health and beauty. Ongoing research will yield further insights and may uncover additional applications for the effects of Pycnogenol®.

Pycnogenol® improves blood circulation

Cardiovascular health is key to maintaining vitality, physical strength, mental health, and overall well-being. Blood vessels transport oxygen and nutrients through arteries and tiny microvessels throughout our entire body, which has positive effects from head to toe.

Pycnogenol® has positive effects on blood flow by improving endothelial function. Regulating blood flow means maintaining an adequate distribution of blood throughout the body to meet the metabolic needs of tissues and organs.

All blood vessels in the cardiovascular system are lined with what is known as the endothelium. The endothelium is a single layer of cells that lines the inner surface of blood vessels, including arteries and veins. This layer not only serves as a simple boundary of the vessel wall but also plays a key role in many physiological functions, such as controlling blood pressure through vasoconstriction and vasodilation, regulating the exchange of substances between blood and tissues, preventing blood clotting, and signaling during inflammation. Endothelial function and the regulation of blood flow are crucial for overall health.

Many different studies have shown that Pycnogenol® has a positive effect on blood circulation and microcirculation⁷^{, 28–31, 34–37}—by improving endothelial function³^{, 22–27} and by reducing platelet aggregation without prolonging bleeding time³²^{, 33}. Furthermore, Pycnogenol® has been shown to normalize blood pressure and ^improve lipid profiles and blood glucose levels12^{, 13, 15, 25, 26, 38–43}. Interestingly, it has been found that a metabolite of Pycnogenol® can be taken up by endothelial cells and thus exert its anti-inflammatory effect directly in the endothelium24.

Pycnogenol® for the Endothelium

Numerous studies have consistently shown that Pycnogenol® improves endothelial function, which has a positive effect on blood circulation and microcirculation.

In patients with coronary heart disease, the effect of Pycnogenol® on endothelial function was investigated by measuring “flow-mediated dilation” in the brachial artery.³ This involves measuring the artery’s dilation in response to an increase in shear stress associated with blood flow. An 8-week randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover, double-blind study showed a 32% improvement in flow-mediated dilation in the Pycnogenol® group, while it deteriorated slightly in the placebo group.

This and other studies confirm the positive effects of Pycnogenol® supplementation on endothelial function in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Pycnogenol® improves microcirculation

Healthy microcirculation is vital, as it ensures an efficient supply of nutrients and oxygen to all parts of the body. Several previously published studies have shown that Pycnogenol® improves blood circulation in small blood vessels throughout the body, such as the very fine microvessels in the skin, the fingertips, and the inner ear, or the retinal capillaries in the ^{eye⁷, 28–31, 34–37}.

In a 3-month study on diabetic retinopathy, supplementation with Pycnogenol® improved blood flow to the retina by about 30%, compared to only marginal changes in the control patients⁷.

Pycnogenol® helps naturally break the cycle of inflammation and oxidative stress

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Pycnogenol® also contribute to its versatility for overall health and beauty. Inflammation and oxidative stress are closely interrelated processes in the body. Oxidative stress can trigger inflammation, and inflammation, in turn, can ^lead to more oxidative stress⁴⁴. Inflammation is, by its very nature, a complex protective response of the body to harmful stimuli and is part of the innate immune system. However, excessive inflammation can lead to chronic inflammation, which underlies various diseases such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, or allergies.

Pycnogenol® helps control inflammation

Several studies have shown that Pycnogenol® ^possesses anti-inflammatory properties17–19. It has been shown that Pycnogenol® significantly reduces the activation of the pro-inflammatory “master switch” NF-κB by 15.5% and the release of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) by 25%¹⁸. These are two key regulators in the inflammatory process.

In another study, Pycnogenol® ^{significantly} reduced the upregulation of the pro-inflammatory enzymes 5-LOX and COX-2 after just five days¹⁷. Furthermore, it was found that a single dose of 300 mg of Pycnogenol® naturally inhibits the formation of COX-2 enzymes during inflammation in humans, thereby ^making an important contribution to pain relief¹⁹.

These beneficial effects of Pycnogenol® have also been observed in clinical studies involving patients suffering from various chronic inflammatory conditions such as knee osteoarthritis^{,⁴⁵ 46}, endometriosis^{,47, 48} or allergic rhinitis.^{6, 49} Pycnogenol® has been shown to promote joint mobility and flexibility and naturally relieve pain.

Pycnogenol® is a powerful antioxidant

Pycnogenol® has been studied in various clinical trials and has been shown to possess strong antioxidant properties³^{, ⁴, 11–16}. Pycnogenol® has been shown to increase plasma antioxidant capacity, expressed as oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)¹³. In addition, Pycnogenol® reduces oxidative stress, as measured by free radicals in ^plasma⁵⁰. Pycnogenol® has also been shown to protect lipids from peroxidation by free radicals³^{, ⁴}. The protective effect of Pycnogenol® against DNA oxidation was ^demonstrated in a clinical study by measuring the levels of oxidized purines¹¹.

Pycnogenol® strengthens the extracellular matrix in the skin, joints, and other tissues

The extracellular matrix plays an important role in various connective tissues by serving as a supportive scaffold that regulates cell behavior and influences tissue development and repair. The skin’s extracellular matrix consists of various molecules such as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Collagen provides structural support and firmness to the skin, while elastin ensures its elasticity. Hyaluronic acid contributes to skin hydration by retaining moisture. Together, all these molecules promote youthful, healthy skin and can help address issues related to the skin’s aging process.

In addition, collagen is an essential component of cartilage, which covers and protects the ends of bones in the joints. It contributes to the stability and flexibility of the joints. Hyaluronic acid is also found in synovial fluid, where it lubricates and cushions the joints, enabling smooth movement.

Pycnogenol® improves skin hydration and elasticity

Pycnogenol® has been shown to increase skin elasticity and reduce skin fatigue by stimulating the synthesis of new collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin and inhibiting the activity of enzymes that break down collagen and elastin (metalloproteinases 1, 2, and 9)^{⁸, ¹⁸, ²⁰, ²¹}. Pycnogenol® additionally protects skin proteins from enzymatic breakdown by selectively binding to elastin and collagen²¹.

Clinical studies of a 12-week supplementation regimen with Pycnogenol® showed a 44% increase in hyaluronic acid synthase in the skin, resulting in a 21% improvement in skin hydration20. Hyaluronic acid synthase is the natural source of water-binding hyaluronic acid in the dermis, which hydrates the skin and keeps it firm and smooth. This study also demonstrated that Pycnogenol® improves skin elasticity by 25% and reduces skin fatigue by 30%. Furthermore, Pycnogenol® increased collagen in the skin’s connective tissue by an average of 40%.

The beneficial effects of Pycnogenol® in maintaining elastic and smooth skin have been confirmed in several clinical studies.

Pycnogenol® has positive effects on joint function

Pycnogenol® has proven beneficial for patients with joint problems by downregulating pro-inflammatory mediators and enzymes responsible for the destruction of joint cartilage (MMP enzymes) in the fluid surrounding the knee joints⁴⁵^{, 46, 51–53}. These results confirm earlier findings that regular intake of Pycnogenol® ^leads to a significant reduction in pro-inflammatory markers such as NF-κB, COX enzymes, and MMPs17^{–19, 21}.

In most cases, joint pain is attributable to damage to the articular cartilage. Hyaluronic acid contributes to the shock-absorbing properties of cartilage. Since Pycnogenol® significantly increases the gene expression of hyaluronic acid synthase, this is ^beneficial not only for the skin but also for joint cartilage^.²⁰ Furthermore, Pycnogenol®’s ability to boost collagen synthesis and protect collagen from degradation is crucial for joint health, as collagen is a key component of joint cartilage. Furthermore, it was found that the concentration of Pycnogenol® metabolites in the synovial fluid surrounding the joint cartilage increased significantly⁴⁶^,⁵⁴. In this way, the active ingredients of Pycnogenol® can act directly where they are needed. This fully explains how Pycnogenol® helps restore the health of damaged joints.

Published in Vitalstoffe, Issue 4/2023, pp. 50–55.

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