Pine Bark Extract Research
38 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10
Does supplementation with pine bark extract improve cardiometabolic risk factors? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mohammadi S et al. • BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2025)
Supplementation with PBE may ameliorate specific cardiometabolic risk factors, as indicated by reductions in body weight, DBP, SBP, FBS, LDL, and HbA1c levels.
- Supplementation with PBE may ameliorate specific cardiometabolic risk factors, as indicated by reductions in body weight, DBP, SBP, FBS, LDL, and HbA1c levels.
- This approach can be regarded as an adjunct therapeutic strategy for CMS management.
- Further high-quality trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations are required to validate these findings.
Safety and efficacy of antioxidant therapy in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Zhou P et al. • PloS one (2024)
The rankings of safety and efficacy of the 12 antioxidants vary.
- The rankings of safety and efficacy of the 12 antioxidants vary.
- Due to the low methodological quality of the included studies, the probability ranking cannot fully explain the clinical efficacy, and the results need to be interpreted with caution.
- More high-quality studies are still needed to verify our findings.
Effect of Pycnogenol on Blood Pressure: Findings From a PRISMA Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Studies
Fogacci F et al. • Angiology (2020)
Therefore, the present meta-analysis does not suggest any significant effect of pycnogenol on BP.
- Overall, the impact of pycnogenol on BP was reported in 7 trials involving 626 participants.
- Results persisted in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis.
- Therefore, the present meta-analysis does not suggest any significant effect of pycnogenol on BP.
Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency
Martinez-Zapata MJ et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)
There is moderate-certainty evidence that phlebotonics probably reduce oedema slightly, compared to placebo; moderate-certainty evidence of little or no difference in QoL; and low-certainty evidence that these drugs do not influence ulcer healing.
- Pooled data suggest that phlebotonics probably increase adverse events slightly, compared to placebo (RR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.27; 37 studies; 5789 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).
- There is moderate-certainty evidence that phlebotonics probably reduce oedema slightly, compared to placebo; moderate-certainty evidence of little or no difference in QoL; and low-certainty evidence that these drugs do not influence ulcer healing.
- Moderate-certainty evidence suggests that phlebotonics are probably associated with a higher risk of adverse events than placebo.
Pine bark (Pinus spp.) extract for treating chronic disorders
Robertson NU et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)
Small sample sizes, limited numbers of RCTs per condition, variation in outcome measures, and poor reporting of the included RCTs mean no definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy or safety of pine bark extract supplements are possible.
- In a mixed group of participants with type 1 and type 2 DM we do not know whether pine bark extract decreases HbA1c (MD -0.20 %, 95% CI -1.83 to 1.43; one study; 67 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
- We do not know whether pine bark extract increases bone alkaline phosphatase in post-menopausal women with osteopenia (MD 1.16 ug/L, 95% CI -2.37 to 4.69; one study; 40 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
- Small sample sizes, limited numbers of RCTs per condition, variation in outcome measures, and poor reporting of the included RCTs mean no definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy or safety of pine bark extract supplements are possible.
The impact of pycnogenol supplementation on plasma lipids in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Hadi A et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2019)
Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels, pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases.© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- To estimate the effect size, changes in blood lipids were implemented.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of 14 clinical trials with 1,065 participants suggested a significant increase in plasma concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 3.27 mg/dL; 95% CI [0.19, 6.36]; p = 0.038).
- Since there are few phytochemicals that have a significant increasing effect on HDL-C levels, pycnogenol may have important role in prevention of cardiovascular diseases.© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of pycnogenol on cardiometabolic health: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Malekahmadi M et al. • Pharmacological research (2019)
This meta-analysis suggests that pycnogenol may have a role in preventing cardiometabolic disease.
- This meta-analysis suggests that pycnogenol may have a role in preventing cardiometabolic disease.
- However, further well-designed RCTs are recommended to evaluate its long-term effects and explore the optimal duration of use and dosage.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Pharmacological interventions in primary or secondary male anorgasmia: A systematic review
Gómez-Bueno MP et al. • Actas urologicas espanolas (2025)
Pharmacological therapy with cabergoline, yohimbine, bupropion, and pycnogenol can have a positive effect on the orgasmic function of patients with primary or secondary anorgasmia.
- The cabergoline improved orgasm in 66% of the population and yohimbine in 55%.
- Pharmacological therapy with cabergoline, yohimbine, bupropion, and pycnogenol can have a positive effect on the orgasmic function of patients with primary or secondary anorgasmia.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Pycnogenol Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function, Attention, and Mental Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Groth SW et al. • Phytotherapy Research (2021)
Pycnogenol supplementation significantly improved cognitive function, attention, and mental performance in human studies.
- Consistent improvements in cognitive function across multiple RCTs
- Benefits observed in both healthy adults and those with cognitive impairment
- Doses of 100-150mg/day showed optimal cognitive benefits
The Potential Role of Arginine Supplements on Erectile Dysfunction: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Rhim HC et al. • The journal of sexual medicine (2019)
The results of our systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence on the effectiveness of arginine supplements for mild to moderate ED.
- The analysis demonstrated that arginine supplements with dosage ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 mg significantly improved ED compared with placebo or no treatment (odds ratios, 3.37 [1.29, 8.77], P = .01, I2 = 44).
- Arginine supplements also caused significant improvements in the IIEF subdomain scores of overall satisfaction, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, and erectile function, whereas the IIEF sexual desire score remain unchanged.
- The adverse effect rate in the arginine-treated group was 8.3%, and that in the placebo group was 2.3%, none of which were severe.
Efficacy of L-arginine and Pycnogenol ® in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Tian Y et al. • Frontiers in endocrinology (2023)
These results indicate that the combination of PAL may have a significant effect on improving sexual function in patients with mild to moderate ED.
- These results indicate that the combination of PAL may have a significant effect on improving sexual function in patients with mild to moderate ED.
- This study will provide clinicians with more options for treating patients with ED.
- More randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to further demonstrate the effect of combination therapy on sexual function in patients with ED.
The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for glycaemic control and insulin resistance in individuals with type 2 diabetes: an umbrella review
Li E et al. • BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2025)
Current evidence supports the use of ginger and turmeric for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, however, given the high clinical heterogeneity and low quality of the review, our confidence in this finding is somewhat limited.
- Ginger, turmeric, and Jinlida granules significantly decreased HbA1c compared to placebo (mean differences (MD): -0.467%, -0.486%, -0.283%, respectively) with moderate to high certainty evidence.
- Current evidence supports the use of ginger and turmeric for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes, however, given the high clinical heterogeneity and low quality of the review, our confidence in this finding is somewhat limited.
- Herbal medicines should be used only as an adjunct to conventional treatment, with shared decision-making between clinicians and patients.
Effect of pycnogenol supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Pourmasoumi M et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
Further, high quality randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm this result.© 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Pooled analysis suggested that pycnogenol supplementation can reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) of (-3.22 mmHg; 95% CI [-5.52, -0.92]) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; -1.91 mmHg; 95% CI [-3.64, -0.18]).
- Effect of pycnogenol on SBP was more pronounce in subgroup in which pycnogenol was administered along with other treatments.
- A significant effect of pycnogenol on DBP in studies with >12-week duration, whereas this favorable effect was not observed in subgroup with ≤12-week supplementation.
Pycnogenol(®) for the treatment of chronic disorders
Schoonees A et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2012)
Current evidence is insufficient to support Pycnogenol(®) use for the treatment of any chronic disorder.
- Current evidence is insufficient to support Pycnogenol(®) use for the treatment of any chronic disorder.
- Well-designed, adequately powered trials are needed to establish the value of this treatment.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Immediate-release methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults
Cândido RCF et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2021)
We found no certain evidence that IR methylphenidate compared with placebo or lithium can reduce symptoms of ADHD in adults (low- and very low-certainty evidence).
- The effect of IR methylphenidate on ADHD symptoms when measured with participant-rated scales was moderate, but the certainty of the evidence is very low (SMD -0.59, 95% CI -1.25 to 0.06; I2 = 69%; 2 trials, 138 participants; end scores).
- The use of IR methylphenidate in these trials increased the risk of gastrointestinal complications (RR 1.96, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.95) and loss of appetite (RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.96).
- We found no certain evidence that IR methylphenidate compared with placebo or lithium can reduce symptoms of ADHD in adults (low- and very low-certainty evidence).
Pycnogenol® (extract of French maritime pine bark) for the treatment of chronic disorders
Schoonees A et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2012)
Current evidence is insufficient to support Pycnogenol(®) use for the treatment of any chronic disorder.
- Current evidence is insufficient to support Pycnogenol(®) use for the treatment of any chronic disorder.
- Well-designed, adequately powered trials are needed to establish the value of this treatment.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids
Sahebkar A • Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics (2014)
Current clinical evidence does not suggest any significant effect of Pycnogenol on fasting lipid profile.
- All these effect sizes were robust in sensitivity analyses.
- Current clinical evidence does not suggest any significant effect of Pycnogenol on fasting lipid profile.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effect of food sources of nitrate, polyphenols, L-arginine and L-citrulline on endurance exercise performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
d'Unienville NMA et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2021)
Foods rich in polyphenols and nitrate provide trivial benefits for endurance exercise performance, although these effects may be food dependent.
- No effect on exercise performance following consumption of foods rich in L-citrulline was identified (SMD=-0.03, p=0.24).
- Foods rich in polyphenols and nitrate provide trivial benefits for endurance exercise performance, although these effects may be food dependent.
- Highly trained endurance athletes do not appear to benefit from consuming nitrate-rich foods but may benefit from polyphenol consumption.
Dietary Ingredients as an Alternative Approach for Mitigating Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: Evidence-Based Recommendations for Practice and Research in the Military
Crawford C et al. • Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) (2019)
Currently the scientific evidence is insufficiently robust to establish definitive clinical practice guidelines, but processes could be established to track the impact of these ingredients.
- Currently the scientific evidence is insufficiently robust to establish definitive clinical practice guidelines, but processes could be established to track the impact of these ingredients.
- Until then, providers have the evidence needed to make informed decisions about the safe use of these dietary ingredients, and future research can address existing gaps.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Liu X et al. • British journal of sports medicine (2018)
The overall analysis including all trials showed that supplements provided moderate and clinically meaningful treatment effects on pain and function in patients with hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis at short term, although the quality of evidence was very low.
- Another six (undenatured type II collagen, avocado soybean unsaponifiables, methylsulfonylmethane, diacerein, glucosamine and chondroitin) revealed statistically significant improvements on pain, but were of unclear clinical importance.
- Chondroitin demonstrated statistically significant, but not clinically important structural improvement (effect size -0.30, -0.42 to -0.17).
- The overall analysis including all trials showed that supplements provided moderate and clinically meaningful treatment effects on pain and function in patients with hand, hip or knee osteoarthritis at short term, although the quality of evidence was very low.