Pycnogenol® in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders.
The present review provides an update of the biological actions of Pycnogenol® in the treatment of metabolic syndrome and related disorders such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension. Pycnogenol® is a French maritime pine bark extract produced from the outer bark of Pinus pinaster Ait. Subsp. atlantica. Its strong antioxidant, antiinflammatory, endothelium-dependent vasodilator activity, and also its anti-thrombotic effects make it appropriate for targeting the multifaceted pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome. Clinical studies have shown that it can reduce blood glucose levels in people with diabetes, blood pressure in mild to moderate hypertensive patients, and waist circumference, and improve lipid profile, renal and endothelial functions in metabolic syndrome. This review highlights the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome and related clinical research findings on the safety and efficacy of Pycnogenol®. The results of clinical research studies performed with Pycnogenol® are discussed using an evidence-based, target-oriented approach following the pathophysiology of individual components as well as in metabolic syndrome overall.
Horphag Research, Geneva, Switzerland.
Om P
OP
Gulati
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D028223:Pinus / Q000737:chemistry; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D055105:Waist Circumference
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D045462:Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors; D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C024070:pycnogenols
Pycnogenol®; clinical research; diabetes; dyslipidaemia; food supplement; hypertension; metabolic syndrome; obesity; renal dysfunction