Pycnogenol
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Pycnogenol (Pinus pinaster) is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,340 participants, researched for Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure, Cognitive Function, Diabetes Management and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure
StrongCognitive Function
StrongDiabetes Management
StrongJoint & Muscle Health
StrongSkin Health
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure
To evaluate Pycnogenol on blood pressure and endothelial function in hypertensive patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Pycnogenol on blood pressure and endothelial function in hypertensive patients
Dose
200 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
58 stage I hypertensive patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in systolic BP (-5.0 mmHg, p=0.04) and improved endothelial function (FMD +2.4%). Plasma NOx elevated. Antihypertensive medication reduced in Pycnogenol group.
How They Measured It
SBP, DBP, FMD, plasma NOx
To assess Pycnogenol on cardiovascular risk factors
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To assess Pycnogenol on cardiovascular risk factors
Dose
100-360 mg/day
Participants
Meta-analysis of RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic BP and LDL. Endothelial function consistently improved. Anti-platelet effects confirmed. Cardiovascular risk profile improved.
How They Measured It
BP, lipids, endothelial function across RCTs
Cognitive Function
To evaluate Pycnogenol on cognitive function in healthy adults and students
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Pycnogenol on cognitive function in healthy adults and students
Dose
100 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
53 healthy young professionals
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in spatial working memory (p=0.04), sustained attention, and decision making vs placebo. Memory retrieval speed improved.
How They Measured It
Spatial working memory, decision making, sustained attention
To assess Pycnogenol on cognitive function and mood in healthy older adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Pycnogenol on cognitive function and mood in healthy older adults
Dose
150 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
87 healthy adults aged 55-70
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant improvements in MMSE score, attention, memory recall, and mood. Cognitive age-related decline attenuated. Oxidative biomarkers improved.
How They Measured It
MMSE, attention tests, memory recall, POMS mood
To evaluate Pycnogenol on ADHD symptoms in children
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Pycnogenol on ADHD symptoms in children
Dose
1 mg/kg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
61 children with ADHD
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in hyperactivity and inattention scores (p<0.001). Urinary catecholamine normalisation. Antioxidant status improved. No adverse effects. ADHD management potential.
How They Measured It
Conners' Rating Scale, antioxidant markers, catecholamines
Diabetes Management
To evaluate Pycnogenol on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Pycnogenol on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes
Dose
100 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
77 type 2 diabetes patients
Duration
3 months
Results
Significant reduction in FPG (9.2%, p=0.001) and HbA1c. Endothelial function improved. Retinal vascular complications reduced in Pycnogenol group.
How They Measured It
HbA1c, FPG, endothelial function, retinopathy
To assess Pycnogenol as add-on therapy for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Pycnogenol as add-on therapy for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
Dose
125 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
77 patients on oral hypoglycaemic agents
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Additional significant reduction in HbA1c (-0.7%) and FPG on top of medications (p=0.01). Oxidative stress reduced. Lipids improved. Effective adjunct to diabetes medications.
How They Measured It
HbA1c, FPG, lipids, oxidative stress markers
Joint & Muscle Health
To evaluate Pycnogenol on knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Pycnogenol on knee osteoarthritis pain and stiffness
Dose
150 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
100 patients with knee osteoarthritis
Duration
3 months
Results
Significant reduction in WOMAC pain (43%), stiffness (35%), and physical function (49%) vs placebo. Analgesic use reduced by 58%. Quality of life improved.
How They Measured It
WOMAC, VAS pain, Lequesne Index
To assess Pycnogenol on exercise-induced muscle pain and DOMS
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Pycnogenol on exercise-induced muscle pain and DOMS
Dose
200 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
76 recreational marathon runners
Duration
8 weeks pre-race + 3 days post-race
Results
Significant reduction in DOMS post-marathon (p=0.001), lower CK and LDH levels. Recovery time faster. Muscle oxidative damage reduced. Performance time improved in Pycnogenol group.
How They Measured It
Muscle soreness VAS, CK, LDH, running performance
Skin Health
To evaluate Pycnogenol on skin elasticity and aging
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate Pycnogenol on skin elasticity and aging
Dose
75 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
62 women aged 55-68
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in skin elasticity (+15%, p=0.01), hydration, and reduction in UV hyperpigmentation. Collagen synthesis markers increased. Photoprotective effects observed.
How They Measured It
Cutometry, VISIA skin analysis, collagen density
To assess Pycnogenol on chloasma and skin hyperpigmentation
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess Pycnogenol on chloasma and skin hyperpigmentation
Dose
75 mg/day Pycnogenol
Participants
30 women with chloasma
Duration
30 days
Results
Significant reduction in chloasma (MASI score reduced by 37%, p<0.001). Skin melanin index normalised. No adverse effects. Pycnogenol as alternative to topical skin-lightening agents.
How They Measured It
MASI scoring, colorimetry, skin melanin index
To summarize clinical evidence for Pycnogenol across health outcomes
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To summarize clinical evidence for Pycnogenol across health outcomes
Dose
Various
Participants
Systematic review of clinical trials
Duration
Various
Results
Strong evidence for cardiovascular, cognitive, joint, skin, and metabolic benefits. Among most comprehensively studied botanical supplements. Excellent safety profile. Wide clinical applications.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of RCTs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pycnogenol research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Pycnogenol (Pinus pinaster), involving 1,340 total participants. Research covers Cardiovascular health, Blood pressure, Cognitive function and 3 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Pycnogenol has been researched for: Cardiovascular health, Blood pressure, Cognitive function, Joint health, Skin health, Diabetes management. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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