Title: PYCNOGENOL® in chronic venous insufficiency
Abstract: The aim of out study was to investigate the efficacy of Pycnogenol® — a French maritime pine bark extract — in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The study consisted of a double-blind phase — in which 20 patients were recruited and randomly treated with placebo or Pycnogenol® (100 mg 2 3/day for 2 months) — and an open phase — in which other 20 patients were treated with Pycnogenol® at the same dose schedule. In total, 40 patients were enrolled; 30 of them were treated with Pycnogenol® and 10 with placebo. Pycnogenol® significantly improved the legs' heaviness and subcutaneous edema; the venous pressure was also significantly reduced by the Pycnogenol® treatment, thus adding further clinical evidence to its therapeutic efficacy in patients with CVI. Pycnogenol® was effective, probably by either stabilizing the collagenous subendothelial basal membrane or scavenging the free radicals, or by a combination of these activities. Clinically, capillary leakage, perivascular inflammation and subcutaneous edema were all reduced. The safety of use of Pycnogenol® is demonstrated by the lack of side effects or changes in blood biochemistry and hematologic parameters. Pycnogenol® can be therefore recommended both for prevention and treatment of CVI and related veno-capillary disturbances.
Publication Year: 2000
Publication Date: 2000-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 61
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