06.29.10
A study published in Phytotherapy Research demonstrates Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract from Natural Health Science substantially improves the symptoms of hay fever, decreasing nasal and ocular symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted by KGK Synergize, Inc., 60 subjects between the ages of 18 and 65 began treatment 3 to 8 weeks prior to the onset of birch allergy season in Ontario, Canada. All subjects tested positive for birch pollen allergies, a seasonal trigger of hay fever, as determined by skin prick tests.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted by KGK Synergize, Inc., 60 subjects between the ages of 18 and 65 began treatment 3 to 8 weeks prior to the onset of birch allergy season in Ontario, Canada. All subjects tested positive for birch pollen allergies, a seasonal trigger of hay fever, as determined by skin prick tests.
Subjects were instructed to take either one 50 mg Pycnogenol tablet or one placebo tablet twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening throughout the allergy season. Patients were allowed to use non-prescription antihistamines as needed and recorded usage and dosage in treatment journals.
Blood was collected before and after treatment throughout the entire birch pollen season for the measurement of birch specific IgE antibodies. Comparison of birch specific IgE levels from the start of the trial and the end of allergy season showed an increase of 31.9% in the placebo group but only 19.4% in the Pycnogenol group.
Subjects rated nasal and eye symptoms daily by means of a self-administered questionnaire, recording values in their treatment journals. All nasal and eye symptoms were scored with values ranging from “zero” (symptoms absent) to a maximum of “three” (severe, symptoms completely preventing normal activity).
Blood was collected before and after treatment throughout the entire birch pollen season for the measurement of birch specific IgE antibodies. Comparison of birch specific IgE levels from the start of the trial and the end of allergy season showed an increase of 31.9% in the placebo group but only 19.4% in the Pycnogenol group.
Subjects rated nasal and eye symptoms daily by means of a self-administered questionnaire, recording values in their treatment journals. All nasal and eye symptoms were scored with values ranging from “zero” (symptoms absent) to a maximum of “three” (severe, symptoms completely preventing normal activity).
Throughout the birch pollen seasons around mid of April until end of May, the total average nasal and eye symptom score was lower in the Pycnogenol group than in the placebo group. A detailed analysis showed that Pycnogenol was more effective the earlier patients began taking the product prior to the onset of the exposure to birch pollen. The researchers speculate that a lag-time of at least five weeks prior to pollen exposure is required for Pycnogenol to defy hay-fever symptoms. Subjects taking Pycnogenol seven weeks before onset of the birch season required very little non-prescription antihistamine medication (12.5%) compared with subjects taking the placebo (50%). For further information: www.pycnogenol.com