Classified as:
Phytochemical, Polyphenol, Flavonoid, Proanthocyanidin
Structure of Pycnogenol
Intro and Background
Pyncogenol is a product derived from the bark of the French pine tree (Pinus pinaster). (1) Extracts from the bark bark extract contain compounds known as flavonoids, procyanidins, and proanthocyanidins that are also found in grapes and cocoa. (2) (3) Although the acitivity has not been formally proven, it is widely used in Europe as a dietary supplement to protect nerve cells, increase sperm activity, decrease blood pressure, and alleviate asthma symptoms. (1) Pycnogenol and other proanthcyanidins are being investigated for their possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-clotting abilities. (2) (4) (3)
Scientific Research
Pycnogenol has the ability to induce apoptosis and slow down the proliferation of leukemia (1), breast(5), and ovarian (6) cancer cells in vitro. A mixture derived from the bark of a related tree, the Taiwan short pine (Pinus morrisonicola), has been shown to kill leukemia cells in vitro. (7) In another study, pycnogenol was applied to the skin of mice before they were exposed to ultraviolet rays. Researchers observed a decrease in the occurrence of skin cancer in those mice treated with the lotion containing pycnogenol. (3) This natural extract has been recognized as an anti-oxidant and for its ability to prevent activation of NFkappaB, a transcription factor that is often overactive in cancer cells. (8) Much of the research pertaining to pycnogenol and proanthocyanidins involves their ability to prevent cancer.
Learn MORE about apoptosis and proliferation
For information about ongoing clinical trials involving pycnogenol, please visit our section on Finding Clinical Trials.
US Food and Drug Administration Approval
At this time there is not conclusive evidence that pycnogenol can effectively prevent cancer. For this reason, pycnogenol has not been approved for cancer prevention by the FDA.
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