Summary of Pine Pollen
Primary Information, Benefits, Effects, and Important Facts
Pine pollen is a term used to refer to supplements derived from the pollen of pine trees. Pine trees in general refer to the genera of pinus, and the pollen that is commonly used as a dietary supplement is the Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) due to some studies having detected a testosterone content in this pollen.
In regards to the above, the testosterone content of Scots pine pollen appears to be too low to cause appreciable effects in the human body due to testosterone ingestion despite it being a higher concentration than the testosterone found in Royal Jelly. No studies have been conducted in humans on any parameter related to testosterone such as aphrodisia, muscle growth, or general male vitality.
Pine pollen appears to have a traditional usage in Chinese medicine as well, although the species used have been those available in the region and these are not the Scots pine. These studies are preliminary but suggest a possible antiinflammatory effect that could benefit arthritis, but due to a lack of compositional studies on the pine pollen (ie. what is actually in the pollen that could be mediating the antiinflammatory effects) it is not known if these properties extend to Scots Pine.
Overall, this supplement is heavily underresearched and at this moment in time it cannot be recommended for any particular usage in humans until more studies are conducted.
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Things To Know & Note
Is a Form Of
Primary Function:
Also Known As
Pinus sylvestris, scots pine, scotch pine, scotch fir
Caution Notice
Examine.com Medical DisclaimerPine pollen tends to be the area of a plant most likely to possess allergens, and since the pine genera (pinus) tends to have a large amount of cross-reactivity persons allergic to pine would likely be allergic to supplements derived from pine pollen
Research Breakdown on Pine Pollen
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References
- ^ Parducci L, et al. Ancient DNA from pollen: a genetic record of population history in Scots pine. Mol Ecol. (2005)
- ^ a b c Antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities of pine (Pinus densiflora) pollen extract.
- ^ Wang YM, Wang HJ, Zhang ZY. Analysis of pine pollen by using FTIR, SEM and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi. (2005)
- ^ a b c d Mao GX, et al. Antiaging effect of pine pollen in human diploid fibroblasts and in a mouse model induced by D-galactose. Oxid Med Cell Longev. (2012)
- ^ Saden-Krehula M, Tajíć M. Vitamin D and its metabolites in the pollen of pine. Part 5: Steroid hormones in the pollen of pine species. Pharmazie. (1987)
- ^ a b c d Saden-Krehula M, Tajić M, Kolbah D. Testosterone, epitestosterone and androstenedione in the pollen of Scotch pine P. silvestris L. Experientia. (1971)
- ^ Testosterone in royal jelly.
- ^ Li J, Zhang Z, Tong T. The proliferative response and anti-oncogene expression in old 2BS cells after growth factor stimulation. Mech Ageing Dev. (1995)
- ^ Wei H, et al. Behavioural study of the D-galactose induced aging model in C57BL/6J mice. Behav Brain Res. (2005)
- ^ Ho SC, Liu JH, Wu RY. Establishment of the mimetic aging effect in mice caused by D-galactose. Biogerontology. (2003)
- ^ Song X, et al. Advanced glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model. Mech Ageing Dev. (1999)
- ^ a b c Lee KH, Kim AJ, Choi EM. Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activity of pine pollen extract in vitro. Phytother Res. (2009)
- ^ Fehrenbacher JC, Vasko MR, Duarte DB. Models of inflammation: Carrageenan- or complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced edema and hypersensitivity in the rat. Curr Protoc Pharmacol. (2012)
- ^ a b c d Lee KH, Choi EM. Effect of pine pollen extract on experimental chronic arthritis. Phytother Res. (2009)
- ^ a b Mothes N, Horak F, Valenta R. Transition from a botanical to a molecular classification in tree pollen allergy: implications for diagnosis and therapy. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. (2004)
- ^ Roux KH, Teuber SS, Sathe SK. Tree nut allergens. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. (2003)
- ^ a b Gastaminza G, et al. Allergenicity and cross-reactivity of pine pollen. Clin Exp Allergy. (2009)
- ^ Mari A. Multiple pollen sensitization: a molecular approach to the diagnosis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. (2001)
- ^ Freeman GL. Pine pollen allergy in northern Arizona. Ann Allergy. (1993)