title: Improvement of common cold with Pycnogenol®: a Winter registry study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This registry study aimed to evaluate the use of Pycnogenol® (pine bark extract), an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-edema natural compound, on symptoms of common cold. Main targets were the evaluation in otherwise healthy subjects of signs/symptoms, the reduction in days of disease, and the prevention of complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects used the "best management" for colds and one group added Pycnogenol® capsules (50 mg, bid/die) from day zero. The resulting registry groups were comparable. A total of 70 subjects used Pycnogenol® and 76 acted as controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of days with a perceived cold affecting the patients was reduced in the supplement group (3.1;0.4 days) in comparison with controls (4.2;0.2). Lost working days were significantly decreased in the supplement group (0.55;0.3 versus 0.67;0.3 in controls). The need to use any other compound (on demand basis; OTC products) to manage symptoms and the occurrence of any clinically significant complications were significantly lower in the Pycnogenol® group. The most frequent complications were the extension of the cold to a period longer than 4 days, a tracheal extension and a bronchial involvement. Pycnogenol® was significantly effective in reducing the number of complications. The daily evolution of the "pillar cold signs" indicates a significantly faster resolution in the supplement group. With supplementation the decrease in symptom scores appears to be significantly more important. Pycnogenol® supplementation appears to make regression faster for all symptoms in comparison with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this pilot registry, Pycnogenol® appears to decrease symptoms of cold and shorten its course also preventing some complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences Irvine3 Circulation Vascular Labs and San Val. Epidemiology Chieti‑Pescara University, Pescara, Italy - cardres@abol.it.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belcaro
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luzzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dugall
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ippolito
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cesarone
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corsi
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feragalli
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012042:Registries; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; C024070:pycnogenols