Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol, a standardized extract from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), is renowned for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-platelet properties. 

Backed by extensive scientific research, Pycnogenol has demonstrated a wide range of health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, enhancing skin elasticity and hydration, boosting cognitive function, and alleviating symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, asthma, and menstrual disorders. 

Its components work synergistically to produce significant biological effects, and it is generally recognized as safe, with only mild and transient side effects reported.

Understanding Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol is a standardized extract from the bark of French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica), containing procyanidins, phenolic compounds, and phenolic acids [1.].

It exhibits strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-platelet properties [1., 3., 5.].

Pycnogenol has demonstrated various health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, lowering blood pressure and glucose levels, and enhancing capillary integrity [3., 5.].

It has also shown potential in treating chronic venous insufficiency, diabetic retinopathy, and protecting against UV-induced skin damage [5.].

The extract's components are highly bioavailable and work synergistically, producing greater biological effects than individual components [3.]. Pycnogenol is generally recognized as safe, with mild and transient side effects and no reported drug interactions [1.].

Natural Sources of Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol is derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree (Pinus pinaster), which is native to the southwestern coast of France. 

The extraction process involves carefully collecting the bark and using a water-based method to obtain the bioactive compounds without using harmful solvents [7.].

Mechanism of Action 

Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster), exerts its effects primarily through its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [1., 5., 6.]

Pycnogenol's strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties contribute to its wide-ranging benefits, including improvements in chronic venous insufficiency, cognition, joint health, skin health, eye health, women's health, respiratory health, and sports performance [6., 9.].

Its mechanisms of action include antioxidative effects, endothelial function enhancement, and extracellular matrix reinforcement [9.].

Additionally, Pycnogenol modulates the immune response by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes including the COX and LOX family of enzymes, which are involved in inflammation [2.].

Pycnogenol’s Health Benefits

Research has demonstrated significant health benefits that can be derived from pycnogenol:

• Cardiovascular Health: pycnogenol enhances endothelial function and lowers blood pressure [8., 9.]

• Skin Health: pycnogenol increases elasticity, improves hydration, and protects against UV-induced damage [4.]

• Cognitive Function: pycnogenol enhances memory and overall cognitive performance [8., 9.]

• Chronic Venous Insufficiency: pycnogenol helps manage symptoms by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress [9.]

• Asthma: pycnogenol reduces inflammation and improves respiratory function [9.] 

• Menstrual Disorders: pycnogenol alleviates symptoms by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress [9.] 

• Sexual Function: pycnogenol improves sexual function in both men and women [8.] 

• Safety: pycnogenol has a well-documented safety profile with mild and transient side effects [1.] 

Health Implications of Pycnogenol Levels

The measurement of Pycnogenol levels in the body provides valuable insights into an individual’s antioxidant capacity and overall health status. Understanding the health implications of these levels can help in diagnosing and managing various conditions. 

Increasingly, laboratory companies strive to determine the most effective ways to demonstrate cellular health.  

Assessing an individual’s cellular resistance to oxidative stress is a valuable descriptor for overall cellular health and may shed light on cognitive and cardiometabolic protection as well as reproductive status. 

Laboratory Testing for Pycnogenol

Test Information, Sample Collection and Preparation

Some companies are exploring new ways to assess cellular health by understanding an individual’s cellular resistance to oxidative stress. This can be assessed in blood, which requires a venipuncture for sample collection. 

Special preparation such as fasting may be required; it is essential to consult with the ordering provider prior to sample collection. 

For more information on this type of testing, click here.

Interpretation of Pycnogenol Testing 

Optimal Levels of Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol confers multiple benefits to promote cellular health and protect against oxidative stress.

One laboratory company utilizes whole blood samples to assess an individual’s resistance to oxidative stress.  They report optimal levels as being >/= 120% protection against oxidative stress [10.].

Clinical Significance of Elevated Pycnogenol Levels

Higher levels of Pycnogenol generally indicate increased protection against oxidative stress.

Clinical Significance of Decreased Pycnogenol Levels

Lower levels of Pycnogenol may indicate a decreased level of protection against oxidative stress. In this setting, test results should be interpreted according to an individual’s comprehensive clinical picture.

Further testing for other antioxidants, as well as markers of oxidative stress, should be considered.

Order Oxidative Stress Resistance Testing

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