GENEVA, Switzerland – A new peer-reviewed study published in the March issue of the Panminerva Medica found that supplementation with Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all), a standardized natural plant extract from French maritime pine tree bark, significantly improves the painful and visible symptoms of psoriasis, including redness, flaking, thickness and total surface area of affected skin patches. Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the U.S., impacting nearly 8 million Americans and may lead to psoriatic arthritis and diminished quality of life.
“Those suffering from psoriasis struggle with both the physical pain and emotional embarrassment of visibly affected areas. Unfortunately, treatments are often expensive and can cause significant side effects,” said physician and nutritional medicine expert Dr. Fred Pescatore. “This study shows that Pycnogenol® can help reduce the skin inflammation, improve the efficacy of commonly-used remedies and lessen the need for other costly treatments.”
Over 12 weeks, the addition of Pycnogenol® was shown to:
· Significantly decrease the area of skin affected by psoriasis in all body regions (Pycnogenol® 20%; Standard Management (SM) 8%)
· Significantly reduce redness (Pycnogenol® 44%; SM 28%), skin hardening (Pycnogenol® 45%; SM 21%) and flaking (Pycnogenol® 45%; SM 16%) of body area affected by psoriasis
· Significantly increase content of water in all areas of the skin
· Significantly reduce need for standard management drugs
· Significantly reduce oxidative stress which plays a role in psoriasis as possible marker of active inflammation
In addition to the physical results listed above, supplementation with Pycnogenol® was shown to significantly decrease the time dedicated to treatment (32% less in comparison with standard management), reduce the cost of treatment (decreased on average 36.4% in comparison with the standard management) and reduce the number problems reported by other treatments.
In the 12-week study conducted at Chieti-Pescara University in Italy, researchers treated and monitored 73 patients between the ages of 30 and 45 who were diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis. All patients were managed with standard management (SM); the Pycnogenol® group consisted of 38 participants who supplemented with the patented extract at 150mg/daily (50mg three times a day) in addition to their standard management practices.
Results were reported using a number of metrics: an observational Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score, a patient-rated Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, measured oxidative stress (plasma free radicals) level, and measured results from two separate skin moisture monitors that registered the amount of water in the skin and the quantity of peeling or flaking skin. All participants registered a minimal PASI score of 10 at beginning of the study; PASI scores range from 0 (no disease) to 72 (maximal disease).
Adding Pycnogenol® to dermatologist-directed standard management produced significant results over standard management-alone. Standard management for each patient was determined by their dermatologist and common treatments included moisturizers, vitamin D supplements, corticosteroids, light therapy sessions, salicylic acid and immunosuppressants, among others. Pycnogenol® was shown to improve the efficacy of standard management practices without interference.
At the end of the 12-week trial period, more than 80 percent of participants in the Pycnogenol® group elected to continue use of the extract beyond the registry period. “The voluntary continued usage among psoriasis patients was a good indicator of the emotional reward of looking and feeling better from using Pycnogenol®,” said Dr. Pescatore.
“In this study and in several others on chronic inflammatory conditions, Pycnogenol® has shown significant clinical results and without any side effects, making it a safe natural alternative to for those seeking relief from the symptoms of psoriasis,” said Dr. Gianni Belcaro, lead researcher of the study. “As a natural nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor, Pycnogenol® reduces inflammation at the on-set and can act as a natural, vegetal ingredient to control inflammation, swelling and oxidative stress.”
This study confirms the findings of numerous prior studies that shown Pycnogenol® to reduce inflammation, increase skin hydration and fight free radicals. To review the clinical research and additional information on Pycnogenol® visit www.Pycnogenol.com.
About Pycnogenol®
Pycnogenol®is a natural plant extract originating from the bark of the maritime pine that grows along the coast of southwest France and is found to contain a unique combination of procyanidins, bioflavonoids and organic acids, which offer extensive natural health benefits. The extract has been widely studied for the past 40 years and has more than 340 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient.Today, Pycnogenol® is available in more than 700 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide. For more information, visit www.pycnogenol.com.
About Horphag Research Ltd.
Horphag Research Ltd. is the exclusive worldwide supplier of Pycnogenol® (pic-noj-en-all) brand French maritime pine bark extract. Pycnogenol® is a registered trademark of Horphag Research Ltd. For its patented ingredient, Pycnogenol®, Horphag Research has been awarded the Frost & Sullivan Excellence in Research Award, Nutraceutical Business & Technology Safety & Quality Award, SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Award and The American Botanical Council’s Tyler Research Award. For more information about Pycnogenol® visit www.pycnogenol.com.