Pycnogenol is a standardized extract from the bark of French maritime pine trees (Pinus pinaster) and is rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, particularly procyanidin oligomers. It is the most commonly studied pine bark extract in clinical trials.
What is pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol is a standardized pine bark extract derived specifically from French maritime pine trees (Pinus pinaster) found on the coast of France. It provides a concentrated source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, including procyanidin oligomers (65–75% by weight), catechin, epicatechin, taxifolin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. While other French maritime pine bark extracts exist (oligopin and flavangenol), their composition varies slightly due to different extraction techniques. Pycnogenol has been used in the vast majority of clinical trials to date, and will be the focus of this page unless otherwise mentioned.
What are pycnogenol’s main benefits?
Pycnogenol possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoactive properties that may beneficially impact various health conditions. Despite some promising results, most health outcomes are supported by just a handful of small trials, and many of the existing trials have a high risk of bias.
Pycnogenol may reduce the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (e.g., leg pain, heaviness, and edema; venous ulcers; microangiopathy)[4][5][6][7] and reduce leg edema and blood clot risk during long-duration air travel (although the latter has only been observed in a single trial).[8][9]
Short-term (≤3 months) trials have found that pycnogenol may reduce pain, improve physical functioning, and reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in people with osteoarthritis.[10][11][12][13] Interestingly, research suggests that some compounds in pycnogenol can enter the synovial fluid in joints, where they may act locally to reduce inflammation and inhibit the breakdown of collagen.[14][15][16]
What are pycnogenol’s main drawbacks?
Pycnogenol is generally considered safe and well tolerated. Side effects occur rarely and may include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal upset (e.g., nausea), the latter of which may improve if pycnogenol is taken with food.[1]
Most of the research on pycnogenol has been at least partially funded by the manufacturer of pycnogenol. While this doesn’t invalidate the research, it does make it more prone to bias in favor of pycnogenol.
How does pycnogenol work?
The biological activity of pycnogenol is due to its diverse and rich content of polyphenols.[17] Following ingestion, some of these compounds are metabolized by bacteria in the colon into other bioactive compounds that can be absorbed. For example, bacteria can convert the procyanidins in pycnogenol into the compound M1 (δ-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-γ-valerolactone), which is thought to strongly contribute to its overall biological effects.[18][19]
Pycnogenol seems to decrease pain and inflammation by reducing the activity of certain pathways in the body that lead to the production of pro-inflammatory compounds, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes.[15][20] As an antioxidant, in vitro and animal research suggests that pycnogenol may directly scavenge free radicals, regenerate other antioxidants in the body (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione), and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.[21][22][23] The above effects, as well as pycnogenol's ability to enhance nitric oxide synthesis and increase capillary integrity, may contribute to reduced capillary permeability and increased blood flow.[24][7]
What are other names for Pycnogenol?
Note that Pycnogenol is also known as:
- Pine Bark Extract
- French maritime pine bark extract
- Pinus pinaster bark extract
- Oligopin (a different standardized extract)
- Flavangenol (a different standardized extract)
Pycnogenol should not be confused with:
- Enzogenol (standardized extract of Pinus radiata)
- Pinus massoniana bark extract
Dosage information
Most research on French maritime pine extract has used pycnogenol, as opposed to the other standardized extracts, oligopin and flavangenol. These extracts have slightly different chemical compositions, due to different extraction techniques, and there currently isn’t enough evidence to know whether oligopin and flavangenol work the same as pycnogenol.
Pycnogenol is available as capsules or loose powder and is usually given at a dosage of 100 to 200 mg daily, split into two or three doses (e.g., 100 mg twice daily, 50 mg three times daily). Taking pycnogenol with food may reduce gastrointestinal side effects.[1]
Pycnogenol is also available in topical formulations. For healing ulcers associated with chronic vascular insufficiency or diabetes, combining oral and topical pycnogenol appears to be more effective than oral pycnogenol alone.[2][3]
Frequently asked questions
What is pycnogenol?
Pycnogenol is a standardized pine bark extract derived specifically from French maritime pine trees (Pinus pinaster) found on the coast of France. It provides a concentrated source of flavonoids and phenolic acids, including procyanidin oligomers (65–75% by weight), catechin, epicatechin, taxifolin, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. While other French maritime pine bark extracts exist (oligopin and flavangenol), their composition varies slightly due to different extraction techniques. Pycnogenol has been used in the vast majority of clinical trials to date, and will be the focus of this page unless otherwise mentioned.
What are pycnogenol’s main benefits?
Pycnogenol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoactive properties that may help with conditions like chronic venous insufficiency and osteoarthritis by potentially reducing pain and improving physical function. However, most benefits are based on limited studies with a high risk of bias.
Pycnogenol possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoactive properties that may beneficially impact various health conditions. Despite some promising results, most health outcomes are supported by just a handful of small trials, and many of the existing trials have a high risk of bias.
Pycnogenol may reduce the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (e.g., leg pain, heaviness, and edema; venous ulcers; microangiopathy)[4][5][6][7] and reduce leg edema and blood clot risk during long-duration air travel (although the latter has only been observed in a single trial).[8][9]
Short-term (≤3 months) trials have found that pycnogenol may reduce pain, improve physical functioning, and reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in people with osteoarthritis.[10][11][12][13] Interestingly, research suggests that some compounds in pycnogenol can enter the synovial fluid in joints, where they may act locally to reduce inflammation and inhibit the breakdown of collagen.[14][15][16]
Does pycnogenol affect cardiometabolic health?
Quick answer:
Pycnogenol may improve certain aspects of cardiometabolic health, such as glycemic control and healing of diabetic ulcers, but research findings are mixed regarding its effects on blood pressure and lipid parameters. Although it might lower fasting blood glucose and HbA1c, its effect on blood pressure is inconsistent, and it may only increase HDL cholesterol without affecting other lipid levels.
Pycnogenol might improve some aspects of cardiometabolic health, but research has generally been mixed.
Pycnogenol may increase glycemic control by reducing fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).[25] This is thought to occur primarily in the intestines by reducing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.[26] Interestingly, pycnogenol may also improve the healing of diabetic ulcers.[3]
Some research suggests that pycnogenol has a blood pressure lowering effect;[27] however, when trials with a high risk of bias are excluded, this effect is generally lost.[28][29] Interestingly, two trials observed that taking pycnogenol along with other blood pressure-lowering medications (ramipril or nifedipine) allowed for lower overall doses of the antihypertensive medications after 12 weeks.[30][31]
The effects of pycnogenol on lipid parameters are similarly mixed. Some research suggests that pycnogenol may increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol but likely does not affect other lipid parameters (e.g., low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, or triglycerides.)[17]
Does pycnogenol impact cognition or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
Quick answer:
Pycnogenol may have some effect on cognition and ADHD, but the evidence is insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, and mixed results are reported in studies. Although it appears to improve antioxidant status in children with ADHD and shows some cognitive benefits in various populations, the lack of robust, placebo-controlled studies limits the validity of these findings.
While pycnogenol might impact cognition or ADHD, the existing evidence is not sufficient to draw any meaningful conclusions.
Both pycnogenol and oligopin (a different standardized extract of French maritime pine bark) have demonstrated mixed and unconvincing results when used in ADHD. Some research has reported reductions in the symptoms of ADHD (e.g., inattentiveness, hyperactivity) in children, but the effects tend to vary based on who is assessing the symptoms and what measurement tool is used.[32][33][34] Pycnogenol does seem to improve antioxidant status in children with ADHD, but whether this is clinically meaningful still needs to be determined.[35][36]
Several trials have assessed the effects of pycnogenol on cognition in a variety of populations, including university students,[37] people with mild cognitive impairment,[38] professionals without apparent health conditions,[39] people with elevated levels of oxidative stress,[40] and elderly individuals.[41] All studies reported improvements in some aspect of cognition (e.g., alertness, memory, attention), but only one study was placebo-controlled, which undermines the validity of these results.
Does pycnogenol affect skin health?
Quick answer:
Preliminary research indicates that pycnogenol may positively affect skin health by reducing facial melasma and potentially decreasing skin redness from UV exposure, as well as improving skin hydration and elasticity. However, most studies have been uncontrolled, which limits the reliability of these findings.
Some preliminary research suggests that pycnogenol, taken orally, might beneficially impact several aspects of skin health; however, most of these trials have been uncontrolled, which reduces our confidence in these findings.
When used alone or in addition to standard treatment, pycnogenol may reduce the appearance of facial melasma — a type of hyperpigmentation that can appear as brown spots on sun-exposed areas of skin. [42][43][44] This is further supported by in vitro research showing that pycnogenol may inhibit the synthesis of melanin, the major pigment in skin.[45] A single uncontrolled trial using flavangenol (a different standardized extract of French maritime pine bark) also reported beneficial effects on skin pigmentation.[46]
Further, there is some limited research to suggest that pycnogenol may reduce skin redness following ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure in fair-skinned individuals[47] and increase skin hydration and elasticity, which might correspond with increases in the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid.[48][49]
Does pycnogenol affect erectile dysfunction?
Quick answer:
Preliminary research indicates that pycnogenol may help reduce erectile dysfunction, especially when used in combination with L-arginine; it improves various aspects such as erection maintenance and sexual satisfaction. Although its effectiveness alone is less certain, it is believed that pycnogenol enhances nitric oxide production, which is beneficial for erectile function.
Preliminary research suggests that pycnogenol may reduce erectile dysfunction, particularly when combined with L-arginine.
In people with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, the combination of pycnogenol and L-arginine may improve several aspects of erectile dysfunction, including the ability to achieve and maintain an erection, intercourse satisfaction, and the ability to reach orgasm.[50] While it’s less clear if pycnogenol is effective on its own, preliminary research suggests it may be.[51]
The combination of pycnogenol and L-arginine is unique in that L-arginine is used as a building block for the synthesis of nitric oxide, and pycnogenol is thought to enhance the activity of nitric oxide synthase, the enzyme responsible for producing nitric oxide.[50]
Does pycnogenol affect asthma or allergies?
Quick answer:
Preliminary research indicates that pycnogenol may help in the prevention of allergies and improve control of mild to moderate asthma by potentially enhancing lung function and reducing the need for medications like inhaled corticosteroids and rescue inhalers. This may be due in part to pycnogenol's ability to reduce the release of histamine from mast cells, a key factor in allergic reactions. Additionally, it has been shown to alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis when taken before allergy season.
Preliminary research suggests that pycnogenol may have a beneficial role in allergy prevention and asthma control, but more research is needed.
Pycnogenol may have a beneficial effect on mild to moderate asthma, with research suggesting that supplementation may improve lung function in both children and adults.[52][53][54] In adults with allergic asthma, those who were supplemented with pycnogenol were more likely to reduce their required dose of inhaled corticosteroids.[54] In childhood asthma, supplementation led to a reduced need for rescue inhalers compared to placebo.[52]
In terms of allergies, one study found that pycnogenol reduced symptoms of allergic rhinitis and the use of allergy medications (antihistamines) compared to placebo when started at least 5 weeks before allergy season. This effect could be due to pycnogenol reducing the release of histamine from mast cells, which has been observed in in vitro and animal studies.[55][26]
What are pycnogenol’s main drawbacks?
Pycnogenol is generally safe and well tolerated, and rare side effects may include headache, dizziness, and gastrointestinal upset, which can improve when taken with food. However, most research on pycnogenol has been partially funded by its manufacturer, which raises potential concerns about bias.
Pycnogenol is generally considered safe and well tolerated. Side effects occur rarely and may include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal upset (e.g., nausea), the latter of which may improve if pycnogenol is taken with food.[1]
Most of the research on pycnogenol has been at least partially funded by the manufacturer of pycnogenol. While this doesn’t invalidate the research, it does make it more prone to bias in favor of pycnogenol.
How does pycnogenol work?
Pycnogenol's biological activity is primarily attributed to its rich polyphenol content, which is metabolized by gut bacteria into bioactive compounds that can be absorbed. It reduces pain and inflammation by inhibiting proinflammatory pathways, acts as an antioxidant, and enhances nitric oxide synthesis, thus contributing to improved blood flow and capillary integrity.
The biological activity of pycnogenol is due to its diverse and rich content of polyphenols.[17] Following ingestion, some of these compounds are metabolized by bacteria in the colon into other bioactive compounds that can be absorbed. For example, bacteria can convert the procyanidins in pycnogenol into the compound M1 (δ-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-γ-valerolactone), which is thought to strongly contribute to its overall biological effects.[18][19]
Pycnogenol seems to decrease pain and inflammation by reducing the activity of certain pathways in the body that lead to the production of pro-inflammatory compounds, including nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes.[15][20] As an antioxidant, in vitro and animal research suggests that pycnogenol may directly scavenge free radicals, regenerate other antioxidants in the body (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione), and increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes.[21][22][23] The above effects, as well as pycnogenol's ability to enhance nitric oxide synthesis and increase capillary integrity, may contribute to reduced capillary permeability and increased blood flow.[24][7]
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