title: Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma.
abstract: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involving 60 subjects, aged 6-18 years old, was conducted over a period of 3 months to determine the effect of Pycnogenol (a proprietary mixture of water-soluble bioflavonoids extracted from French maritime pine) on mild-to-moderate asthma. After baseline evaluation, subjects were randomized into two groups to receive either Pycnogenol or placebo. Subjects were instructed to record their peak expiratory flow with an Assess Peak Flow Meter each evening. At the same time, symptoms, daily use of rescue inhalers (albuterol), and any changes in oral medications were also recorded. Urine samples were obtained from the subjects at the end of the run-in period, and at 1-, 2-, and 3-month visits. Urinary leukotriene C4/D4/E4 was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Compared with subjects taking placebo, the group who took Pycnogenol had significantly more improvement in pulmonary functions and asthma symptoms. The Pycnogenol group was able to reduce or discontinue their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo group. There was also a significant reduction of urinary leukotrienes in the Pycnogenol group. The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the management of mild-to-moderate childhood asthma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California 92350, USA. bLau@som.llu.edu
authors.forename: Benjamin H S
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Sharon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Riesen
authors.forename: Kim P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Esther W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rohdewald
authors.forename: Ray A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Barreta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles; D008297:Male; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D007211:Indoles; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014105:Tosyl Compounds; C024070:pycnogenols; D000420:Albuterol; C062735:zafirlukast