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.