Study Suggests that Pycnogenol May Be Useful Adjunct in Childhood Asthma Tre

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Re: Study Suggests that Pycnogenol May Be Useful Adjunct in

Childhood Asthma Treatment

 

Lau B, Riesen S, Truong K, et al. Pycnogenol as an adjunct in the

management of childhood asthma. J Asthma. 2004;41(8):825-832.

http://www.herbalgram.org/standardprocess/herbclip/review.asp?i=44234

 

Asthma is a respiratory disease in which the airways swell and

narrow in response to certain triggers, making breathing difficult.

Frequently, an excess of mucus and muscle tightening block the

airways, further compromising airflow. These reactions may result

from allergic responses to a variety of triggers, such as pollens,

foods and drugs. Oxidative stress and inflammation of the airways

leading to bronchospasm are among several proposed mechanisms

responsible for asthma.

 

A number of asthmatic patients have claimed improvement in their

symptoms with the use of a proprietary blend of phytonutritionals

registered under the trade name of Pycnogenol® (Horphag Research,

Geneva, Switzerland). Pycnogenol is a proprietary mixture of water-

soluble bioflavonoids and phenolics extracted from the bark of

French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster). The main constituents of

Pycnogenol are phenolic compounds (catechin, epicatechin, and

taxifolin) and flavonoids (procyanidins and proanthocyanidins). It

possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Previous studies have shown Pycnogenol to possess potent antioxidant

activity by not only scavenging free radicals, but by enhancing the

body's endogenous antioxidant systems.

 

The current randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 3-month

study of 60 subjects (aged 6 to 18 years old; 35 males; 25 females)

was designed to determine the effects of Pycnogenol on mild to

moderate asthma. Subjects were recruited from the Pediatric Teaching

Office of Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. Subjects with

severe, persistent asthma were excluded from the study. Thirty

subjects received Pycnogenol (1 mg/lb) in 2 divided doses; the other

30 received placebo capsules that were indistinguishable from the

Pycnogenol capsules. Subjects were instructed to record their peak

expiratory flow using an Assess® Peak Flow Meter each evening and

record symptoms and daily use of rescue inhalers (albuterol) as well

as any changes in oral medications. Urine samples were collected

prior to the start of study and at 1-, 2- and 3-month periods and

analyzed for leukotriene levels. Leukotrienes are potent

bronchoconstrictor agents in the lungs and have been shown to

increase during the exacerbations of asthma.

 

Compared with subjects taking placebo, the group who took Pycnogenol

had significantly more improvement in pulmonary functions and asthma

symptoms (P > 0.01). The Pycnogenol group was able to reduce or

discontinue their use of rescue inhalers more often than the placebo

group (P > 0.001). There was also a significant reduction of urinary

leukotrienes in the Pycnogenol group (P > 0.001). No adverse side

effects associated with the capsules were reported by any of the

subjects. Subject compliance was excellent.

 

The small-scale study suggests that Pycnogenol may be a useful

adjunct in the management of mild to moderate childhood asthma.

 

--Densie Webb, PhD