Pycnogenol attenuates the symptoms of immune dysfunction through restoring a cellular antioxidant status in low micronutrient-induced immune deficient mice

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESWe investigated the effect of Pycnogenol (Pyc) on survival and immune dysfunction of C57BL/6 mice induced by low micronutrient supplementation.MATERIALS/METHODSFemale C57/BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 7.5% of the recommended amount of micronutrients for a period of 12 wks (immunological assay) and 18 wks (survival test). For immunological assay, lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine regulation, and hepatic oxidative status were determined.RESLUTSPyc supplementation with 50 and 100 mg·kg-1·bw·d-1 resulted in partial extension of the median survival time. Pyc supplementation led to increased T and B cell response against mitogens and recovery of an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokine and increased secretion of Th2 cytokine. Hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by micronutrient deficiency, in accordance with increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level. However, Pyc supplementation resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of hepatic lipid peroxidation, which may result from restoration of hepatic vitamin E level.CONCLUSIONFindings of this study suggest that Pyc supplementation ameliorates premature death by restoring immune dysfunction, such as increasing lymphocyte proliferation and regulation of cytokine release from helper T cells, which may result from the antioxidative ability of Pyc.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Enhances Keratinocyte Migration by a Sphingosine-1-Phosphate-Dependent Mechanism

“…Ginsenosides, triterpenoid saponins found in Panax ginseng, have been shown to modulate diverse cellular/tissue metabolisms to improve disease conditions, such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and multiple malignancy, due to their roles in immune modulation. [17][18][19][20][21][22] While over 30 ginsenoside molecular species have been identified, certain species of ginsenoside alter skin function, including stimulation of collagen production leading to potential antiaging agents and wound healing effects. However, mechanisms responsible for these putative biological effects of ginsenosides are largely unknown.…”

Projected supportive effects of PycnogenolⓇ in patients suffering from multi-dimensional health impairments after a SARS-CoV2 infection

“…In COVID-19 patients, a significant decrease of T-lymphocytes has been connected with the severity of illness [129] . In contrast, Pycnogenol® supplementation seems to be able to restore immune dysfunction by improving T-cell function, thus acting as a immune modulating agent [ 130 , 131 ]. As Pycnogenol® offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and positively influences endothelial cell function as well as microcirculation and platelet reactivity, a supplementation might support the management of COVID-19 patients.…”

Effect of natural polyphenols on thromboxane levels in children with Crohn’s disease

“…Pyc can also improve the function of the endothelium (45). As a result of the reduction in infl ammation, the lipoperoxidation is reduced, which leads to a reduction in the concentration of isoprostanes and thromboxanes (46).…”

“…Pyc has important antioxidant and biomodulation effects. Effects of Pyc include inhibition of the transcription factor NF-κB (12,13) and cyclooxygenases (14,15), reduction of hypertension caused by stimulation of endothelial NO synthase, inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzymes (16,17), reduction in mutations (18), alleviation of the symptoms of allergic asthma, thus reducing the need for medications (19,20), attenuation of immune dysfunction (21) and an increased cardio-protective effect in the case of ischemicreperfusion injury (22). In an in vitro study with human colon cancer cells, fruit juices enriched with Pyc increased the antioxidant capacity of the cells, and are shown to have higher anti-infl ammatory activity when compared to fruit juices without Pyc (23).…”