Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol® French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II

Abstract

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multi-center study was performed with 77 diabetes type II patients to investigate anti-diabetic effects of the French maritime pine bark extract, Pynogenol®. Supplementation with 100 mg Pycnogenol® for 12 weeks, during which a standard anti-diabetic treatment was continued, significantly lowered plasma glucose levels as compared to placebo. HbA1 c was also lowered; however, the difference as compared to placebo was statistically significant only for the first month. In the Pycnogenol®-group endothelin-1 was significantly decreased, while 6-ketoprostaglandin F 1a in plasma was elevated compared to placebo. Nitric oxide levels in plasma increased during treatment in both groups, but, differences did not reach statistical significance. Pycnogenol® was well-tolerated with ECG, electrolytes, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen remaining unchanged in both groups. Mild and transient unwanted effects were reported for both groups without significant differences. Supplementation of Pycnogenol® to conventional diabetes treatment lowers glucose levels and improves endothelial function.