Pycnogenol®s Anti-diabetic Effects Studied

Pycnogenol®s Anti-diabetic Effects Studied

BEIJING & MUNSTER, GermanyTheanti-diabetic effect of Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract in TypeII diabetics was studied in a double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized,multicenter study performed with 77 Type II diabetic patients. Pycnogenolsupplementation of 100 mg/d was administered for 12 weeksduring which astandard anti-diabetic treatment was continuedwas found to significantlylower plasma glucose levels as compared to placebo, according to the studypublished in the Oct. 8 issue of Life Sciences (75,21:2505-13, 2004) (www.sciencedirect.com).

Results showed HbA1c was also lowered; however, the differenceas compared to placebo was statistically significant only for the first month. In the Pycnogenol group endothelin-1 was significantlydecreased, while 6-ketoprostaglandin F1a in plasma was elevated compared toplacebo. Nitric oxide levels in plasma increased during treatment inboth groups, but differences did not reach statistical significance.

Pycnogenol was well tolerated with ECG, electrolytes,creatinine and blood urea nitrogen remaining unchanged in both groups. Mild andtransient unwanted effects were reported for both groups without significantdifferences. The researchers concluded supplementation of Pycnogenol toconventional diabetes treatment lowers glucose levels and improves endothelialfunction.