Pycnogenol®: A French Maritime Pine Bark Extract for Skin and Vascular Health

Abstract

Pycnogenol®, extracted from French maritime pine bark, is a potent antioxidant known for its vasoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and skin-enhancing properties. Backed by over 100 clinical studies, it supports microcirculation, collagen regeneration, and overall skin vitality.

Introduction

Pycnogenol® contains a unique blend of procyanidins,
bioflavonoids, and phenolic acids. It has been used in clinical
settings for cardiovascular
health, skin aging, and inflammation control.

Pycnogenol ® is widely used in topical and oral applications
for various dermatological indications. A unique combination
of pharmacological functions of Pycnogenol ® provides an
unmatched variety of health benefits for skin health.

Pycnogenol binds and protects collagen and elastin

Pycnogenol® has a high affinity to proteins rich in the amino acid hydroxyl-proline. These are predominantly the matrix proteins in the skin, collagen and elastin. When Pycnogenol® is added to collagen or elastin, a high amount remains tightly bound. In consequence, Pycnogenol® also tightly binds to the skin. To other proteins such as albumins Pycnogenol® has little affinity [Grimm et al., 2004].

Further experiments showed that Pycnogenol® as well as its metabolites, developing after oral consumption in humans, protects collagen and elastin from enzymatic degradation. These enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), influence the equilibrium between collagen degradation and renewal. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of Pycnogenol® metabolites were lower than that of a known MMP-inhibitor Captopril. As an example, inhibition of collagen degradation by collagenase in presence of Pycnogenol® is shown.

Pycnogenol increases skin elasticity

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study with 62 women a complex formulation with Pycnogenol® as lead active ingredient was shown to significantly increase skin elasticity after 6 weeks oral treatment by 9% as compared to placebo [Segger et al., 2004]. In addition to Pycnogenol® this complex formulation (EvelleTM) bears various natural antioxidants, minerals and vitamins.

Continuous intake of Pycnogenol® as formulated into EvelleTM for 12 weeks was shown to improve skin smoothness significantly by 6% as compared to placebo.

Pycnogenol® is a very potent antioxidant
Pycnogenol ® has been shown in laboratory test ing as well as in humans to provide significant antioxidant potency to the body [Chida et al., 1999]. Pycnogenol ® is effective for neutralizing a broad range of oxygen radical species. Moreover, it protects vitamin E from oxidation and recycles oxidized (spent) vitamin C back to the bioactive form [Rohdewald, 2002]. Pycnogenol ® thus contributes to the antioxidant network in the body. Following oral consumption of Pycnogenol ® over a period of three weeks the blood oxygen radical capacity (ORAC) of 25 volunteers increased significantly by 40% [Deveraj et al., 2002]. For more details on the antioxidant activity of Pycnogenol ® please refer to PYCNOGENOL AS SUPER ANTIOXIDANT.

Relevance to ENVILT

Included in our Collagen BioLift™ formula, Pycnogenol® synergizes with collagen peptides and hyaluronic acid to target dermal aging from multiple pathways. Its clinically proven benefits align with our holistic anti-aging philosophy.

Conculsion
Pycnogenol ® represents a very potent cosmeceutical which offers a broad range of clinically substantiated health benefits for the skin:

• Antioxidant potency

• Increased skin elasticity

• Anti-inflammatory activity

• Improved skin microcirculation

• Anti-photoaging and sun-protection

• Lowered skin pigmentation

Pycnogenol® supports skin health best when applied topically in addition to oral uptake. Each delivery form has unique advantages. Both delivery forms in combination provide optimal supply with nutrients from within and warrant highest efficacy particularly for photo-protection and improved skin elasticity. Please check for more details: PYCNOGENOL® IN TOPICAL SKIN CARE.

Source: https://www.flavogard.com/Right%20side%20menu/oral_skin_care_eng.htm

References

1. Belcaro G et al. Venous ulcers: microcirculatory improvement and faster healing with local use of Pycnogenol ® . Angiology 56: 699-705, 2005.

2. Blazsó G et al. Pycnogenol ® accelerates wound healing and reduces scar formation. Phytother Res 18: 579-581, 2004.

3. Chida M et al. In vitro testing of antioxidants and biochemical end-point in bovine retinal tissue. Ophthalmic Res 31: 407-415, 1999.

4. Devaraj S et al. Supplementation with a pine bark extract rich in polyphenols increases plasma antioxidant capacity and alters the plasma lipoprotein profile. Lipids 37: 931-934, 2002.

5. Fitzpatrick et al. Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol ® . J Cardiovas Pharmacol 32: 509-515, 1998.

6. Grimm T et al. Antioxidant activity and inhibition of matrix-metalloproteinases by metabolites of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol ® ). Free Rad Biol Med 36: 811-822, 2004.

7. Grimm T et al. Inhibition of NF-kB activation and MMP-9 secretion by plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol ® ). J Inflamm 3: 1-15, 2006.

8. Marini A et al. Pycnogenol® Effects on Skin Elasticity and Hydration Coincide with Increased Gene Expressions of Collagen Type I and Hyaluronic Acid Synthase in Women. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 25:86-92, 2012.

9. Segger D et al. Supplementation with Evelle improves skin smoothness and elasticity in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 62 women. J Dermatol Treat 15: 222-226, 2004.

10. Rohdewald P. A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol ® ), a herbal medication with a diverse pharmacology. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 40(4): 158-168, 2002.

11. Saliou C et al. Solar ultraviolet-induced erythema in human skin and nuclear factor-kappa-B-dependent gene expression in keratinocytes are modulated by a French maritime pine bark extract. Free Rad Biol Med 30: 154-160, 2001.

12. Yasumuro M et al. Inhibition of melanogenesis by pine (Pinus pinaster) bark extract containing procyanidins. 2006.

Experience enhanced skin vitality with ENVILT's Collagen BioLift™
Featuring the scientifically validated Pycnogenol®.