Positive Health Online

Abstract

PACKER and colleagues, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley 94720-3200 USA. packer@socrates.berkeley.edu. write that there is increased interest in the biological activities of plant extracts from the bark of the French maritime pine Pinus maritima, Pycnogenol (PYC) . The authors review the literature on the subject (130 references).

Background

Methodology

Results

PYC is a standardised extract composed of a mixture of flavonoids, mainly procyandins and phenolic acids . Published research indicate that PYC components are highly bioavailable. PYC demonstrates greater biological effects as a mixture than its individual purified components, indicating that the components interact synergistically. PYC has been reported to exert cardiovascular benefits, including vasorelaxant activity, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibiting activity and the ability to enhance microcirculation through increased capillary permeability. PYC has strong free radical-scavenging activity against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. PYC participates in the cellular antioxidant network, as evidenced by its ability to regenerate the ascorbyl radical, protect endogenous vitamin E and glutathione from oxidative stress. PYC modulates NO metabolism in activated macrophages by quenching the NO radical and inhibiting both iNOS mRNA expression and iNOS activity. The spectrum of different effects of NO in the circulation and nervous system suggests the potential applications of PYC in immune and circulatory disorders, as well as in neurodegenerative disease . PYC is able to bind to proteins, altering their structure and modulating the activity of key enzymes and proteins involved in metabolic pathways. PYC effects redox-sensitive signal transduction pathways and alters gene expression. The authors present and discuss various aspects of PYCs activity, along with possible future implications and directions in the field of flavonoid research.

Conclusion

References

Packer L et al. Antioxidant activity and biologic properties of a procyanidin-rich extract from pine (Pinus maritima) bark, pycnogenol.. Free radical biology and medicine. 27(5-6): 704-24. Sep 1999.