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Health News Archive 301 - Inflammation
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Pine Tree Bark Extract Reduces Inflammation

A study published in the Journal of Inflammation showed the effectiveness of pine bark extract Pycnogenol in preventing harmful inflammation induced by immune system response.

The clinical study, conducted at the University of Würzburg in Germany, showed that a 200 mg daily oral intake of maritime pine tree bark extract lowered the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), the immune cell ‘trigger’ for inflammation, in a group of seven healthy volunteers.

Blood samples were taken prior to the study and again after five days of supplementation. Key immune cells in the blood plasma, also known as monocytes, drawn after Pycnogenol supplementation showed a significantly lowered NF-kB response by 15% compared to without Pycnogenol supplementation. The NF-kB gene switches on the production of pro-inflammatory molecules required for recruiting immune cells from the blood stream to affected tissue.

Results of a study to be released later this year showed Pycnogenol reduced inflammation relating to symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.

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