A study has found an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree may reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
The compound in question is called Pycnogenol, and a scientist from the National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition in Rome found it inhibits the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two naturally occurring mediators associated with inflammatory conditions.
Dr. Raffaella Canali studied volunteers aged 35-50, who took Pycnogenol pills for five consecutive days in the morning before breakfast.
Based on blood sample analysis before and after supplementation, she was able to track how the participantsÂ’ immune cells rapidly initiated production of COX-2 and 5-LOX in response to pro-inflammatory stimulation. However, taking Pycnogenol almost entirely subdued their production in the immune cells.
“Standard [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] NSAID medications reduce the production of prostaglandins by COX enzymes for lowering the pain,” explains Canali.
“In contrast, Pycnogenol turns to the root of the problem, completely stopping the production of COX-2 in inflammation. Thus far, the compound seems to be a unique tool for modulating inflammatory processes,” she adds.
Pycnogenol is available in more than 700 nutritional supplements, multivitamins and health products worldwide.
