Pycnogenol® Promotes Ulcer Healing

Pycnogenol® Promotes Ulcer Healing

GENEVA, Switzerland Oral andtopical use of French Maritime pine bark extract (as Pycnogenol®, from HorphagResearch, distributed in the United States by Natural Health Science),accelerates healing of leg ulcers caused by chronic venous insufficiency,according to a new study published in Angiology (56,6:699-705, 2005) (www.westminsterpublications.com/ANG/).

In the six-week, 16-person Italian study, Group 1 took oraldoses of Pycnogenol, Group 2 used oral and topical Pycnogenol, and Group 3 wasgiven a placebo treatment. All three groups received compression stockings tocounteract swelling and had their ulcers cleaned and disinfected. Ulcerous areasshrunk most quickly in subjects treated with both oral and local Pycnogenol(Group 2), compared to subjects given the other two treatments (Groups 1 and3).According to a release from Natural Health Science (www.pycnogenol.com),Group 1 had an 11.6 percent reduction in ulcer size as compared to the placebogroup, and Group 2 experienced complete healing of their ulcers. The researchersconcluded Pycnogenol appears to have an important role in local treatment ofvenous ulcers, improving healing and signs/symptoms.

For the first time, a highly significant improvement of theulcer healing process in lower legs was documented, said Peter Rohdewald,Ph.D., one of the researchers. We could obtain definite wound closing withinsix weeks in the patient group who orally and topically supplemented withPycnogenol. Our results confirm an earlier study of accelerated healing andreduced scarring after topical application of Pycnogenol-containing gels to burnwounds.