Chemistry:Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol is a extract from the bark of the Pinus pinaster which is claimed to have therapeutic properties. Jack Masquelier is reported to have read the account of the explorer of Jacques Cartier's learning of the beneficial effects of a tea made from a tree bark by the Native Americans. And on the basis of this account looked to find the active ingredients. Various sources were looked into by Masquelier and he found a suitable source in, and extracted proanthocyanidins from, the bark of the European maritime pine. In 1979 Masquelier used the term Pycnogenol to refer to his product. [1][2]Robertson et al (2020) reviewed the evidence on the efficacy of pine bark extract for treating a wide range of complaints (including asthma, children with ADHD, blood pressure, pain in CVI, reducing fasting blood glucose, osteoarthritis of the knee, cognitive failure in those with traumatic brain injury) and in all case failed to find evidence to support the efficacy of the extract. [3]
References
- ↑ D'Andrea, G. (2010). Pycnogenol: a blend of procyanidins with multifaceted therapeutic applications?. Fitoterapia, 81(7), 724-736.
- ↑ Rohdewald, P. (2002). A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology. International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, 40(4), 158-168.
- ↑ Robertson NU, Schoonees A, Brand A, Visser J. (2020) Pine bark (Pinus spp.) extract for treating chronic disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Sep 29;9(9):CD008294. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008294.pub5. PMID: 32990945; PMCID: PMC8094515.
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