Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Pycnogenol decreased asthma symptoms, the need for a rescue inhaler and improved peak expiratory flow.
Asthma affects more than 17 million Americans, costing an estimated 12 billion annually (1,2). There has been a drastic increase of about 50% in cases of asthma in the last 10 years (2). Exposure to allergens, environmental pollutants and poor nutrition of modern lifestyle are often to blame (2, 3).
Asthma is a respiratory disease where the airways swell and narrow in response to certain triggers, making it difficult to breathe (2). Asthma in childhood is often debilitating and needs frequent medical attention (2). Research has shown Pycnogenol (a mixture of bioflavonoids from pine bark) is an effective supplement in mild to moderate childhood asthma (2).
The research included 60 participants, 6-18 years old, with mild to moderate asthma, over a 3-month period. Participants were randomly divided into one of two groups:
- Pycnogenol Group (n=30) – Received 1mg/lb body weight in two divided doses per day.
- Placebo Group (n=30) – Received two doses per day of an inactive substance (2).
Participants recorded peak expiratory flow, symptoms, use of a rescue inhaler, and change of oral medication. Symptoms were recorded on scale from 0-4 with 0=no symptoms, 1=mild symptoms, not disturbing, 2=moderate symptoms, somewhat disturbing, 3=severe symptoms, interfered with daily activities, and 4=severe symptoms, could not go anywhere or perform usual tasks (2).
Urine samples were also obtained at baseline and months 1-3. Urine was used to measure levels of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes cause bronchoconstriction of the lungs (or narrowing of the main air passageway) and are shown to increase during worsening symptoms of asthma (4).
Flavonoids, like pycnogenol, have been shown to decrease the release of leukotrienes in the lungs in animals (5).
Participants exhaled into a peak flow meter to record daily peak expiratory flow. Peak expiratory flow significantly improved in the pycnogenol group from about 70% at baseline] to almost 90% at 3-months (p<0.01) and didn’t change significantly in the placebo group.
Symptom scores decreased in the pycnogenol group with an average score of 2.25 +/- 0.13 at baseline and 0.27 +/- 0.06 at 3-months (p<0.001), while there was no change in the placebo group.
The number of puffs of rescue inhaler per day also improved in the pycnogenol group with an average of 2.57 +/- 0.16 at baseline and 0.22 +/- 0.07 at 3-months (p<0.001), with no change in the placebo group.
Finally, urinary leukotrienes also decreased significantly in the pycnogenol group from about 1300 pg/mL at baseline to about 800 pg/mL at 3-months (p<0.001), again with no change in the placebo group.
In conclusion, pycnogenol decreased asthma symptoms, the need for a rescue inhaler, levels of leukotrienes and improved peak expiratory flow (2). With an increased interest in natural, non-toxic treatments, the researchers recommend pycnogenol in an integrative approach for mold to moderate childhood asthma. Future research should include more participants.
Source: Lau, Benjamin HS, et al. “Pycnogenol® as an adjunct in the management of childhood asthma.” Journal of Asthma 41.8 (2004): 825-832.
Copyright © 2017 Informa UK Limited
Posted November 19, 2012.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Hartert TV, Peebles RS Jr. Epidemiology of asthma: the year in review. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2000: 6:4-9.
- Lau B, et al. Pycnogenol as an Adjunct in the Management of Childhood Asthma. J of Asthma 2005: 41(8): 825-32.
- American Medical Association. Essential Guide to Asthma. 1998.
- Christie PE, et al. Increased urinary LTE4 excretion following inhalation of LTC4 and LTE4 in asthmatic subjects. Eur Respir J 1994; 7:907-13.
- Yamamoto S, et al. Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase and its new inhibitors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1984; 74: 349-52.
