You can find authentic pycnogenol at GNC, Vitaminshoppe, and most reputable health food stores across the country.
1: J Med Food. 2001 Winter;4(4):201-209.Click here to read Links
Pycnogenol((R)) in the Management of Asthma.
Hosseini S, Pishnamazi S, Sadrzadeh SM, Farid F, Farid R, Watson RR.
College of Public Health and School of Medicine, The University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724.
Asthma is characterized as a chronic inflammatory process. Pycnogenol((R)), a bioflavonoid mixture extracted from Pinus maritima, is known to scavenge free radicals while possessing antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of this agent in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study in patients with varying asthma severity. Twenty-six patients who fulfilled the American Thoracic Society criteria for asthma were enrolled in the study. Medical history, physical examination, blood sample analyses, and spirometric values were obtained at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1 mg/lb/day (maximum 200 mg/day) Pycnogenol or placebo for the first period of 4 weeks and then crossed over to the alternate regimen for the next 4 weeks. No adverse effects were observed related to the study drug.
Within the contingent of 22 patients who completed the study, almost all responded favorably to Pycnogenol in contrast to placebo.
Pycnogenol treatment also significantly reduced serum leukotrienes compared with placebo. The results of this pilot study indicate that Pycnogenol may be a valuable nutraceutical in the management of chronic asthma. We recommend that further clinical trials be conducted in larger groups of asthmatics to establish its efficacy.
PMID: 12639402
1: J Asthma. 2004;41(8):825-32.Links
Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma.
Lau BH, Riesen SK, Truong KP, Lau EW, Rohdewald P, Barreta RA.
Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA. bLau@som.llu.edu
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involving 60 subjects, aged 6-18 years old, was conducted over a period of 3 months to determine the effect of Pycnogenol (a proprietary mixture of water-soluble bioflavonoids extracted from French maritime pine) on mild-to-moderate asthma. After baseline evaluation, subjects were randomized into two groups to receive either Pycnogenol or placebo. Subjects were instructed to record their peak expiratory flow with an Assess Peak Flow Meter each evening. At the same time, symptoms, daily use of rescue inhalers (albuterol), and any changes in oral medications were also recorded. Urine samples were obtained from the subjects at the end of the run-in period, and at 1-, 2-, and 3-month visits. Urinary leukotriene C4/D4/E4 was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Compared with subjects taking placebo, the group who took Pycnogenol had significantly more improvement in pulmonary functions and asthma symptoms. The Pycnogenol group was able to reduce or discontinue their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo group. There was also a significant reduction of urinary leukotrienes in the Pycnogenol group.
The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of mild-to-moderate childhood asthma.
PMID: 15641632