Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Anti-Aging
Study Re-Confirms Pycnogenol’s Role in Joint Health
By Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS, September 12, 2008, abstracted from “Effect of Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol®) on Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis” in the August 2008 issue of Phytotherapy Research
Osteoarthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability, limiting everyday activities for 16 million Americans. The condition results in 750,000 hospitalizations and costs our healthcare system over $51 billion each year1. The Center for Disease Control estimates that the number of people aged 65 or older with arthritis will more than double, from 15.7 million in 2002 to 33.3 million in 20301.
There are several natural ways to help maintain joint health, including antioxidant intake2, fruit consumption such as pomegranates3 and glucosamine with chondroitin4. Now a new study5 has found that Pycnogenol may benefit joint health. Previous research has shown that Pycnogenol is beneficial for lower leg swelling6, venous ulcers7, venous leg circulation8, mental health9 and healthy levels of inflammation10.
An April 2008 study showed that Pycnogenol helps inflammation levels in knee arthritis11. Building on these findings, 100 patients with osteoarthritis were given either 150 mg of Pycnogenol or placebo per day for three months. During this time, they reported any changes in their anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs) use. They also completed the Western Ontario and McMasters University (WOMAC)12 questionnaire every two weeks and reported pain symptoms every week, using a pain rating scale. Improvements in WOMAC scores reflected improvements in overall function13.
At the end of three months, WOMAC scores in the Pycnogenol group were 12% higher than in the placebo group (56 vs. 50). Pain symptoms were 29% lower in the Pycnogenol group by the end of one month and remained statistically significant by the end of the study (8% lower, p = 0.07)) than the placebo group.
Regarding medication use, 62% of patients in the Pycnogenol group used the same level of medication compared to 82% in the placebo group, while 38% in the Pycnogenol group decreased their dosage compared to 10% in placebo group (8% of placebo patients increased their dosage).
For the researchers, “Pycnogenol offers an interesting alternative to treatment of early knee OA with NSAIDs or analgesics because of its low rate of unwanted effects and its efficacy.”
Greg Arnold is a Chiropractic Physician practicing in Danville, CA. You can contact Dr. Arnold directly by emailing him at mailto:PitchingDoc@msn.com or visiting his web site at www.CompleteChiropracticHealthcare.com
Reference:
1 “Targeting Arthritis: Reducing Disability for 43 Million Americans” posted on the CDC Website www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/aag/aag_arthritis.htm
2 Pattison DJ. Dietary beta-cryptoxanthin and inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a population-based prospective study. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 Aug;82(2):451-5
3 Ahmed S. Punica granatum L. Extract Inhibits IL-1(beta)-Induced Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Inhibiting the Activation of MAP Kinases and NF-(kappa) B in Human Chondrocytes In Vitro. J Nutr. 2005 Sep;135(9):2096-102
4 Richy F. Structural and symptomatic efficacy of glucosamine and chondroitin in knee osteoarthritis: a comprehensive meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2003 Jul 14;163(13):1514-22
5 Cesar P. Phytother. Res. 22, 1087–1092 (2008) Published online 20 June 2008 in Wiley InterScience DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2461
6 Belcaro G. Prevention of venous thrombosis and thrombophlebitis in long-haul flights with pycnogenol. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2004 Oct;10(4):373-7
7 Belcaro, G., M. R. Cesarone, et al. (2005). "Venous ulcers: microcirculatory improvement and faster healing with local use of pycnogenol((r))." Angiology 56(6): 699-705
8 Cesarone MR. Comparison of Pycnogenol and Daflon in treating chronic venous insufficiency: a prospective, controlled study. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2006; 12(2): 205-12
9 Trebaticka J. Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol®). Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2006 May 13; [Epub ahead of print]
10 Grimm T. Inhibition of NF-êB activation and MMP-9 secretion by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) Journal of Inflammation 2006, 3:1 (27 January 2006)
11 Belcaro G. Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol®. The SVOS (San Valentino osteo-arthrosis study). evaluation of signs, symptoms, physical performance and vascular aspects. Phyto Res 2008; 22: 518-523. Published Online: Apr 2 2008 8:56AM DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2376
12 Bellamy N. 1995. WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index. A User’s Guide, 2nd edn. Victoria Hospital: London, Ontario.
13 “WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index” posted on www.womac.org/womac/