Pycnogenol: Benefits and Safety

Pycnogenol is a pine bark extract containing plant-based chemicals that may ease osteoarthritis pain, lower blood sugar and cholesterol, and reduce your risk of heart disease. Taking pycnogenol supplements may be safe, but they can cause allergic reactions and interact with medications.

Pine bark extract contains strong antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and neutralize free radicals, molecules that damage healthy tissues. However, more studies are needed to determine if pycnogenol is effective and, if so, the optimal dose to achieve health benefits. 

What Is Pycnogenol?

Pycnogenol is an herbal extract made from the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). French maritime pine is native to the western Mediterranean.

Procyanidin is the primary active ingredient in the commercial product pycnogenol. Procyanidin is a potent antioxidant found in dietary sources like:

Procyanidin limits the amount of free radicals in the body and helps to prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is associated with inflammation and cancer.

Uses

Pycnogenol has been studied for potential benefits in various conditions, including:

There is not enough research to support using pycnogenol for these conditions. Clinical trials are few and far between, and many have used only small sample sizes.

Some data suggest that pycnogenol may lower the risk of heart disease or help with osteoarthritis symptoms. Here’s a closer look at the evidence for these uses.

Disease Prevention

Pycnogenol has shown benefits in preventing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. These conditions are called cardiometabolic diseases, the biggest cause of death worldwide.

A review of 24 trials showed that pycnogenol reduced the following:

These modifications may decrease the chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Pycnogenol also decreased the following:

• Blood pressure
• Body mass index
• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered “bad” cholesterol)

And it increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered “good” cholesterol). These changes may help prevent heart disease.

Keep in mind, though, that researchers don’t know much about the long-term effects of pycnogenol. More, robust clinical trials are needed to determine the best dose and how long to take the supplement.

Osteoarthritis

Pycnogenol reduced osteoarthritis (OA) pain in the short term (less than three months), according to a systematic review (a collection of studies). It also helped lower the doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken by people with OA.

Reviewers noted that the data was low-quality, so larger clinical trials are needed to verify this effect.

Dosage

Dosing of pycnogenol may vary depending on what it’s being used for and who is using it.

Doses used in clinical trials include:

Your healthcare provider can help you determine an optimal dose.

Safety

Take precautions when using pycnogenol, including:

• Avoid pycnogenol if you’re allergic to it, maritime pine, or its components (parts).
• Seek immediate medical attention if you have a severe allergic reaction (itching, hives, shortness of breath).

Side Effects

Your healthcare provider may suggest taking pycnogenol for OA or another condition. However, consuming a product like pycnogenol may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common and mild or uncommon and severe.

According to one trial, pycnogenol has a very low rate of side effects, less than 2%. Side effects may include the following:

If you experience these or other side effects that don’t resolve on their own, contact your healthcare provider.

Remember that most clinical trials have only studied pycnogenol for up to three months. Little is known about the effects of long-term use.

Interactions

Little is known about pycnogenol’s interactions with prescription medicines or other herbal supplements.

Some possible drug interactions include the following:

• Blood pressure medications: Because pycnogenol can lower blood pressure, taking it with blood pressure drugs could cause hypotension (low blood pressure).
• Diabetes medications: Since pycnogenol can lower blood sugar, taking taking it when you also take diabetes medications could cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
• NSAIDs: In nonhuman studies, pycnogenol enhanced the anti-inflammatory effects of the NSAID indomethacin while protecting against gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. However, the effects in humans are unknown.
• Cancer medications: Pycnogenol has increased the cancer-killing effects of chemotherapy medicines like cisplatin. Discuss the use of any herbs and supplements with your healthcare provider, as herbs and supplements may interact with your current treatment.
• Tylenol (acetaminophen): According to one animal study, pycnogenol may counteract the liver damage associated with high acetaminophen levels. However, the effects in humans are unknown.

Precautions

Do keep the following precautions in mind when using pycnogenol:

• Severe allergic reaction: Avoid using pycnogenol if you have a known allergy to it, maritime pine, or its ingredients. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you’re unsure.
  Pregnancy: Pycnogenol is possibly safe during pregnancy but shouldn’t be used during the first trimester. As a best practice, consult your healthcare provider before starting this or other herbal supplements if you are pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: Pycnogenol hasn’t been proven safe during breastfeeding, though it has been studied in some postpartum females. Until more is known, it’s not recommended.
• Children: Pycnogenol is considered safe for children over 6 years old due to a low risk of side effects. It is not recommended for children under age 6. Be sure to discuss it with your child’s pediatrician if you decide to try it.