A controlled clinical study of product PINOROX® (Pinus roxburghii bark extract) (PINOROX®) as dietary supplement for enhanced physical performance

Abstract

Pinorox® is a standardized composition obtained from pine bark extract of Pinus roxburghii, rich source of natural polyphenols - Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) compounds that act as an antioxidant. Pinorox® has been expected to serve as potential natural supplement consumed to enhance the physical endurance in normal healthy or a sport person. Hence, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted for time period of 90 days to validate the effect of Pinorox® over physical and athletic performances in normal healthy as well as sports subjects. 50 eligible subjects were selected through screening and distributed into placebo and Pinorox® groups. The subjects utilized in the present study i.e., healthy individual and athletes received one of either 200 mg of Pinorox® or experimental control (placebo) for 90 days. Each subject was evaluated for increase in physical or athletic performances by observing changes from baseline in rate of oxygen consumption VO2 max (endurance) compared to placebo at baseline, assessment of anaerobic power and rate of fatigue by using Wingate test at baseline, changes in assessment values using 1-RM test and muscle grip strength assessment using handheld dynamometer at baseline and during the interval of 90 days. The observations discussed in the present study shows that people consuming Pinorox® displayed significantly advanced performances during exercising or performing given sports activities. Improvement in the VO2 max values, anaerobic power, rate of fatigue, muscular performance and muscle grip strength was observed in test results and the study did not report any adverse effect. Overall, the study demonstrates that Pinorox® is a safe, fast acting and effective natural dietary or sport supplement for enhancing physical and athletic performances.