18 replies to this topic

[goku]

I have a kilo of Pycnogenol and I'm wondering how much I can safely take per day. I want to take the maximum safe dosage, so please advise. I am about 160 lbs.

Thanks.

[syr_]

Lucky man! Mind to sell some?
I tried from 50 to 200mg in a day and I found that above 150mg I didnt see any more benefits*.

[* for my dermatitis, other uses may likely require a lower dose]

[goku]

Stuff is intense, nasty tasting for sure. Decided to find out for myself. Stirred a heaping tablespoon into water -- chugged (god that's bitter) and puked a minute later, strong emetic effects at dose like that. A teaspoon's about most I can handle at once -- I'm learning about it's melasma helping effects.

[DukeNukem]

For over a year I took 100mg in the morning, and 100mg at night. No ill effects. Now I just take 100mg / day.

[doug123]

For over a year I took 100mg in the morning, and 100mg at night.  No ill effects.  Now I just take 100mg / day.

Duke: what brand of Pycnogenol do you think is best? TIA.

[goku]

By the way, the super dose of pcynogenol eradicated my allergies within 10 minutes for about 14 hours, and I'm having like constant ragweed mucous crap right now that is brutal. It is just GONE when I have half a teaspoon of pycnogenol. Not just a little. Gone.

[DukeNukem]

Duke: what brand of Pycnogenol do you think is best?

Adam, I don't know if it's the best, but I use Source Naturals.

[ajnast4r]

isnt pycnogenol a 'name brand' patented product, ie: whatever company is bottling it, its all bought from the same place?

i would imagine whatever brand is cheapest, is best... bc they all come from the same place

[doug123]

Thank you, Duke; it looks like Ajna is correct.

Here is a link to the Pycnogenol® "consumer" website.

[DukeNukem]

Yes, I knew that already, which is why I wasn't concerned about the source.

[doug123]

I think I'm going to start taking this stuff. I've never really looked into it before and it looks pretty impressive.

http://www.pdrhealth.../pyc_0321.shtml

Pycnogenol
TRADE NAMES

Pycnogenol Plus (Quantum), Pycnogenol Power (Nature's Herbs).
DESCRIPTION

The term pycnogenol refers to a specific mixture of procyanidins extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine, Pinus maritima. The French maritime pine grows in Bay of Biscay in the Landes de Gascogne in France. Although the term pycnogenol is now confined to procyanidins from the French maritime pine, the term was originally intended to serve as scientific name for this class of flavonoids.

Procyanidins are derivatives of the flavan-3-o1 class of flavonoids. This class includes epicatechin and catechin. Procyanidins consisting of dimers of catechin and oligomers of epicatechin and catechin are found in pycnogenol. Pycnogenol has a high amount of oligomers containing 5 to 7 units. Procyanidin oligomers are also known as oligomeric procyanidins (OPC) oligomeric proanthocyanidins (also OPCs) and procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs). In addition to OPCs, pycnogenol contains catechin, epicatechin and taxifolin, and such phenolic acids as caffeic, ferulic and para-hydroxybenzoic acids as minor constituents. It also contains glycosylation products of flavonols and phenolic acids as minute constituents. Pycnogenol is abbreviated PYC.

Procyanidins, including oligomeric procyanidins, are also found in such foods as cocoa and chocolate, grape seeds, apples, peanuts, almonds, cranberries and blueberries. They are also found in such medicinal herbs as "Sangre de drago" (Croton lechler).

Procyanidins are also known as leucocyanidins. Procyanidins and prodelphinidins comprise a class of polyphenolic compounds called proanthocyanidins. Whereas procyanidins are oligomers of catechin and epicatechin and their gallic acid esters, prodelphinidins are oligomers of gallocatechin and epigallocatechin and their galloylated derivatives. Proanthocyanidins are also known as condensed tannins.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
ACTIONS

Pycnogenol has antioxidant activity. It may also have anti-inflammatory activity and has putative cardiovascular-protective activity.
MECHANISM OF ACTION

Pycnogenol has demonstrated a number of antioxidant activities in the laboratory. These include scavenging of the superoxide radical anion, the hydroxyl radical, the lipid peroxyl radical, the peroxynitrite radical and singlet oxygen. It has also been shown to protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation. The oligomeric procyanidins appear to have especially potent antioxidant activity when compared with smaller molecules, such as catechin and epicatechin. The extent of the antioxidant potential of pycnogenol in vivo is unclear. Some studies suggest that the antioxidant potential is at least partially available in vivo. Pycnogenol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity, again in the laboratory. This activity is thought to be due, in large part, to pycnogenol's capacity as a scavenger of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species.

Pycnogenol appears to inhibit the activation of the transcription factors NF-kappa B and AP-1. NF-kappa B and AP-1 upregulate the expression of several inflammatory mediators such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). NF-kappa B is itself activated by reactive oxygen species. Pycnogenol has been found to inhibit the inducible expression of ICAM-1. Inhibition of ICAM-1 may be accounted for by inhibition, by pycnogenol, of the activation of NF-Kappa B and AP-1. Further, the inflammatory cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) may upregulate ICAM-1 expression in keratinocytes. This has been noted in some inflammatory skin conditions, such as lupus erythematous, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Pycnogenol appears to inhibit IFN-gamma activation of STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) 1. Inhibition of ICAM-1 expression by pycnogenol could account for possible anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activities of pycnogenol.
PHARMACOKINETICS

Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of pycnogenol in humans. It appears that at least some of it is absorbed. However, the extent of absorption appears to vary widely, not only among the various components of pycnogenol, but also among subjects.

Some of the components of pycnogenol (e.g., catechin) appear to undergo extensive glucuronidation and sulfation following and/or during absorption. The glucuronides and sulfates are excreted in the urine.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Claims made for pycnogenol are sweeping. It has been demonstrated to have free-radical-scavenging properties, but far from established are claims that it is useful in immune and neuro-degenerative disorders, that it is an effective anti-allergen, anticancer agent, antidiabetic agent and that it speeds healing of injuries, fights arthritis and is useful in cirrhosis of the liver and aging. Clinical trials are in short supply. Current research suggests that pycnogenol might have some cardioprotective effects and might be helpful in some vascular disorders. It is possible that some immune-modulating, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects will emerge.
RESEARCH SUMMARY

In vitro studies have demonstrated that pycnogenol can protect some cells from lipid peroxidation and damage induced by various oxidative toxins.

In vivo, pycnogenol has shown some ability to minimize ischemic reperfusion injury in an animal model. There is some preliminary suggestion that pycnogenol may exhibit vasorelaxation activity, inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme and enhance microcirculation by promoting increased capillary resistance. It may inhibit platelet aggregation and LDL-cholesterol oxidation. It may help maintain levels of some other antioxidants, principally vitamins C and E. Many of these effects have only been demonstrated in vitro.

In one of the few clinical trials of pycnogenol, the substance significantly inhibited smoking-induced platelet aggregation, more significantly with doses of 200 mg than with doses of 100 or 150 mg of pycnogenol. A single 200 mg dose of pycnogenol was reported to significantly inhibit platelet aggregation for longer than three days in smokers.

Pycnogenol has reportedly met with some success in treating certain vascular disorders, including varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency. Pycnogenol has also inhibited some localized inflammation experimentally induced in animals.

Using doses of pycnogenol higher than could likely be administered to humans, researchers have restored some immune functions in an animal model of HIV-infection. In other animals, oral feeding of pycnogenol has resulted in significant improvement in T- and B-cell function. Natural killer cell cytotoxicity has been enhanced in animals given pycnogenol. Clinical trials are needed.

Pycnogenol has shown preliminary chemoprotective effects against NKK, a tobacco-specific nitrosamine, in rats exposed to this substance.

CONTRAINDICATIONS, PRECAUTIONS, ADVERSE REACTIONS.
CONTRAINDICATIONS

Pycnogenol is contraindicated in those with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of a pycnogenol-containing product.
PRECAUTIONS

Pycnogenol supplementation should be avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers.
ADVERSE REACTIONS

None reported.
INTERACTIONS
DRUGS

The use of pycnogenol and dextroamphetamine appeared superior to dextroamphetamine alone in the management of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, in one case report.
OVERDOSAGE

There are no reports of overdosage.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Dosage ranges from 25 to 200 mg daily.
HOW SUPPLIED

Capsules — 30 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg

Cream

Lotion

Tablets — 25 mg, 30 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg
LITERATURE

Bito T, Roy S, Sen CK, Packer L. Pine bark extract pycnogenol downregulates IFN-gamma-induced adhesion of T cells to human keratinocytes by inhibiting inducible ICAM-1 expression. Free Rad Biol Med. 2000; 28:219-227.

Heimann SW. Pycnogenol for ADHD. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1999; 38:357-358.

Huynh HT, Teel RW. Effects of pycnogenol on the microsomal metabolism of the tobacco-specific nitrosamine NNK as a function of age. Cancer Lett. 1998; 132:135-139.

Liu FJ, Zhang YX, Lau BH. Pycnogenol enhances immune and haemopoietic functions in senescence-accelerated mice. Cell Mol Life Sci. 1998; 54:1168-1172.

Packer LK, Rimbach G, Virgili F. Antioxidant activity and biological propertes of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, pycnogenol. Free Rad Biol Med. 1999; 27:704-724.

Putter M, Grotemeyer KH, Wurthwein G, et al. Inhibition of smoking-induced platelet aggregation by aspirin and pycnogenol. Thromb Res. 1999; 95:155-161.

[brutale]

Possibly dumb question: Is there any meaningful difference between the effects of pycnogenol and grape seed extract? both are apparently sources of proanthocyanidins and other polyphenols ...

[DukeNukem]

I think so, significantly. But I do not have references. Just based on all the material I've read over the years. There are millions of anti-oxidants, and a good many have specific benefits over others. Same is true for proanthocyanidins.

[xanadu]

The best source I've found so far is iHerb at about 20 cents for a 30 mg pill. No one seems to offer it in bulk that I've found.

[pycnogenol]

The best pycnogenol source I've found is Vitacost NSI brand Pine Bark Extract 100 mg 300 caps for $29.99.

(1 cap daily x 300 days = 10 cents per day)

Edited by pycnogenol, 14 October 2006 - 03:02 PM.

[DukeNukem]

I wonder if the NSI brand is using the well research inner pine bark from the French pines? Or, are they using joe blow pine bark from whatever forest is cheap and convenient? Who knows, there might be similar benefits, but I'd still like to know.

[syr_]

If its called pycnogenol is the patented one from french pines.

[doug123]

I purchased 50 25mg Pycnogenol tablets at Trader Joe's for $10.99 (plus tax) today. Did I get ripped off? [:o] I guess. Oh well. I spent A LOT of money there today and saved in other places, so I don't feel so bad. [huh]

[tedsez]

Trader Joe's supplements are not as cheap as they used to be relative to other sources.

I've been buying a lot of mine from Vitamin World on their monthly "two for one" days.