Pycnogenol for chronic venous insufficiency

Nuzum, Donald S.; Gebru, Tsion; Kouzi, Samir A.

doi:10.2146/ajhp100676

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Several potential positive actions of Pycnogenol have been shown in clinical studies on venous disorders and generally on the vascular wall. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Previous studies had shown that Pycnogenol is incorporated into the venous wall, 14,19 and it is possible that its activity on venous tone (as indicated in the present study) may be effective in several other aspects and conditions in the evolution of CVI.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…[7][8][9][10] Pycnogenol (Horphag Research, Geneva, Switzerland) is a standardized extract from French pine bark used in the recent past for several vein studies. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] The product is very effective as 100 mg produce significant effects on edema and signs of CVI. 24 Pycnogenol is very effective in acute venous edema 21,22 with a selective action on lower limb swelling and edema.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pycnogenol has improved venous tone in clinical studies. [14][15][16][17][18][19] Pycnogenol improves healing of venous ulcers 25,26 and is very effective in CVI in postthrombotic limbs. 16 The aim of this study was the evaluation ex vivo of the passive stretching and dilatation of venous segments in subjects with primary varicose veins in comparison with comparable subjects that had used Pycnogenol before surgery for 3 months.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Improvements of Venous Tone with Pycnogenol in Chronic Venous Insufficiency: An Ex Vivo Study on Venous Segments

Belcaro¹,

Dugall²,

Luzzi³

et al. 2014

Int J Angiol

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Vascular tone indicates the degree of constriction in a blood vessel relative to its maximally dilated state. Arteries and veins under basal conditions exhibit some degree of tonic basal smooth muscle contraction that determines the diameter and tone of the vessel. 1 Basal vascular tone differs among organs according to physiological conditions (i.e., during effort). Organs having a large vasodilatory capacity (e.g., myocardium, skeletal muscle, skin, and splanchnic circulation) have a higher basal vascular tone while organs having relatively low vasodilatory capacity (e.g., cerebral and renal circulations) tend to have a lower vascular tone.Vascular tone 1-6 considering physiological condition is determined by the balance of competing vasoconstrictor and vasodilator influences. Extrinsic factors (neurohumoral) such as sympathetic nerves and circulating angiotensin II tend to increase the vascular tone, causing vasoconstriction. AbstractThis study evaluated the stretching and dilatation of venous segments ex vivo in subjects with primary varicose veins in comparison with comparable segments from subjects that used the supplement Pycnogenol (150 mg/d) for 3 months before surgery. Subjects with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency voluntarily used Pycnogenol for a period of at least 3 months. The segments of veins removed with surgery (in 30 subjects that had used Pycnogenol and in 10 comparable control subjects that had not used the supplement) were compared with normal, unused vein segments harvested for bypass grafting. The segments were suspended and a weight was attached to the distal part of the veins for 3 minutes and dilated with pressurized water. Digital images were recorded; the veins were measured before and after stretching to evaluate elongation. The manipulation of the vein segment was minimal. Tests were completed within 20 minutes after harvesting the veins. All segments were 4 cm long. The stretching test indicated a significantly higher level of passive elongation in control, varicose segments (2.29; 0.65 mm) in comparison with 1.39; 0.2 mm in vein segments from Pycnogenol-using patients. The dilation test showed an average higher dilation (2.19; 0.3 mm) in control varicose veins in comparison with varicose veins from Pycnogenol-using patients (1.32; 0.7 mm) (p < 0.05). Stretching and dilatation were lower in veins from Pycnogenol-using subjects (p < 0.05). The measurement of destretching and the recovery after dilatation indicated a better tone and recovery of the original size/shape in varicose segments from patients using Pycnogenol. Varicose segments had a more significant persistent dilatation and elongation in comparison with normal vein segments. Pycnogenol seems to decrease passive dilatation and stretching and gives vein walls a greater tonic recovery and elasticity that allows the vein to recover its original shape after dynamic stresses.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Improvements of Venous Tone with Pycnogenol in Chronic Venous Insufficiency: An Ex Vivo Study on Venous Segments

Belcaro¹,

Dugall²,

Luzzi³

et al. 2014

Int J Angiol

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“…For advanced stages of CVI, 100–150 mg daily is recommended for four to eight weeks. Once the oedema and other symptoms have improved, a daily maintenance dose of 50 mg may be considered (Nuzum et al ., ).…”

Section: Dosage In CVI and Related Venous Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pycnogenol® in Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Related Venous Disorders

Gulati

2013

Phytotherapy Research

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The present review provides an update of the biological profile of Pycnogenol in the light of its use in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and related venous disorders such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), post-thrombotic syndrome, long haul air-travel-related leg oedema, venous ulcers and acute haemorrhoids. Pycnogenol is a French maritime pine bark extract produced from the outer bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. subsp. atlantica. Its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasodilator activities, antithrombotic effects and collagen stabilizing properties make it uniquely able to target the multi facet pathophysiology of CVI and related venous disorders. Clinical studies have shown that it can reduce oedema of the legs in CVI, reduce the incidence of deep venous thrombosis during long haul flights and enhance the healing of venous ulcers and haemorrhoidal episodes by topical application and/or oral administration. This review highlights clinical research findings on the safety, compliance and efficacy of Pycnogenol, including its use in combination products.

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“…Kidney‐protective effects have been shown with Pycnogenol in hypertensive subjects (Cesarone et al , , ). Clinical research data on Pycnogenol have earlier been reviewed for different indications, like chronic venous insufficiency, cardiovascular health, and arthritis (Blumenthal, , Gulati, , Gulati, , Gulati, , Gulati, , Nuzum et al , ; Oliff, , Rohdewald, ). The present review provides an update of the multifaceted biological profile of Pycnogenol in metabolic syndrome.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pycnogenol® in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

Gulati

2015

Phytotherapy Research

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The present review provides an update of the biological actions of Pycnogenol® in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and related disorders such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension. Pycnogenol® is a French maritime pine bark extract produced from the outer bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. Subsp. atlantica. Its strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory, endothelium-dependent vasodilator activity, and also its anti-thrombotic effects make it appropriate for targeting the multifaceted pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that it can reduce blood glucose levels in people with diabetes, blood pressure in mild to moderate hypertensive patients, and waist circumference, and improve lipid profile, renal and endothelial functions in metabolic syndrome. This review highlights the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and related clinical research findings on the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol®. The results of clinical research studies performed with Pycnogenol® are discussed using an evidence-based, target-oriented approach following the pathophysiology of individual components as well as in metabolic syndrome overall.

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Pycnogenol for chronic venous insufficiency

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Improvements of Venous Tone with Pycnogenol in Chronic Venous Insufficiency: An Ex Vivo Study on Venous Segments

Improvements of Venous Tone with Pycnogenol in Chronic Venous Insufficiency: An Ex Vivo Study on Venous Segments

Pycnogenol® in Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Related Venous Disorders

Pycnogenol® in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders

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