---
title: "Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract — Evidence, Benefits & Where to… | Magellan"
description: "Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract — Pycnogenol is a standardized extract of the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica), composed…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/117.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/117.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/p/117.html"
type: "product"
section: "Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers"
evidence_grade: "Moderate evidence"
evidence_tier: "moderate"
citations: 24
product_id: 117
price_usd: 49.99
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
license: "Educational content — not medical advice"
---

# Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers](https://magellanlongevity.com/c/1.md) › Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/p/117.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/product/117

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Product | Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract |
| Category | [Nutraceuticals & Cellular Energizers](https://magellanlongevity.com/c/1.md) |
| Evidence grade | Moderate evidence (B) |
| Peer-reviewed citations | 24 |
| Typical listed price | $49.99 (check the live price) |
| Where to buy | [Search Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Pycnogenol%20Pine%20Bark%20Extract&tag=magellanlong-20) |
| Catalog ID | 117 |

## What it is

Pycnogenol is a standardized extract of the bark of the French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica), composed mainly of procyanidins (polymers of catechin and epicatechin) together with phenolic acids and flavonoids such as taxifolin. It is marketed as a dietary supplement and has been characterized as having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet properties. Mechanistically, its polyphenols increase the activity and expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), raising nitric oxide (NO) availability and promoting endothelium-dependent vasodilation, and it also scavenges free radicals and can inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme.

## Its role in longevity

In human trials, Pycnogenol has improved flow-mediated dilation and other measures of endothelial function in people with coronary artery disease and hypertension, and a meta-analysis of 12 trials reports modest reductions in blood pressure (about 3 mmHg systolic and 2 diastolic), though the effects are often small and inconsistent, and at least one meta-analysis found no significant blood-pressure effect at all. Additional randomized studies suggest possible benefits for blood glucose control, cognitive function, and knee osteoarthritis symptoms, but a Cochrane review graded nearly all outcomes across conditions as very low-certainty evidence — the trials are small, few per condition, and poorly reported — and much of the positive literature originates from one manufacturer-funded research group. Overall the evidence points to plausible cardiovascular and metabolic benefits but remains limited by small sample sizes and frequent industry involvement. This research describes the pine bark extract compound and its mechanisms in general, not this specific commercial product.

## Evidence grade: Moderate evidence

- **What the grade means:** Curated grade based on the human and mechanistic evidence for this compound.
- **Dose used in studies:** 100–200 mg/day
- **What this grade does not say:** Trials show small blood-pressure reductions and improved endothelial function and knee-osteoarthritis symptoms, but a Cochrane review rated nearly all pine-bark evidence very low certainty, and much of the positive literature comes from one manufacturer-funded group. No lifespan or hard-outcome data.

## Where it comes from without a bottle

Food, exercise and behaviour routes to the same pathway, each with its citation.

| Natural source | How it works | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Grapes / grape-seed proanthocyanidins | Pycnogenol is a pine-bark proanthocyanidin; the closest food match is grape-seed proanthocyanidin, which lowered blood pressure in prehypertensive adults. | Nutrients 2019 [PMID 31757033](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31757033/) |
| Cocoa & dark chocolate flavanols | Cocoa is rich in the same flavanol/proanthocyanidin family; pooled trials show it improves blood-vessel (endothelial) function. | Food & Function 2019 [PMID 31524216](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31524216/) |

### What those papers actually say

1. **Grapes / grape-seed proanthocyanidins**
   Nutrients 2019 · [PMID 31757033](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31757033/) · [DOI 10.3390/nu11122844](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11122844)

   > The mean SBP in the high-dose group significantly decreased by 13 mmHg after 12 weeks.

2. **Cocoa & dark chocolate flavanols**
   Food & Function 2019 · [PMID 31524216](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31524216/) · [DOI 10.1039/c9fo01747j](https://doi.org/10.1039/c9fo01747j)

   > This meta-analysis provides evidence that cocoa flavanols could significantly improve endothelial function.

## In the news

- **Pine Bark Extract: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects** — Healthline 2021 [Read it](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pine-bark-extract)
  > Another small 2012 study including 23 adults with coronary heart disease associated taking 200 mg of Pycnogenol per day with improved blood flow through the arteries and lower levels of isoprostane — a measure of oxidative stress. No changes to blood pressure were noted.
- **Pine Bark Extract** — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 2023 [Read it](https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/pine-bark-extract)
  > Obtained from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, pine bark extracts contain procyanidins which have antioxidant properties.

## The research

Peer-reviewed studies on the active compound. Quotes are verbatim from the cited abstract. Research describes the active mechanism and is not a claim about this specific product.

### Cited studies

1. **Evidence: augments NO, vasodilation**
   Hypertens Res 2007 · [PMID 18037769](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18037769/) · [DOI 10.1291/hypres.30.775](https://doi.org/10.1291/hypres.30.775)

   > Pycnogenol augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation by increasing nitric oxide production

2. **Pycnogenol, French maritime pine bark extract, improves endothelial function of hypertensive patients**
   Life Sci 2004 · [PMID 14659974](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14659974/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.07.037](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2003.07.037)

   > The intake of Pycnogenol decreased endothelin-1 concentrations significantly compared to placebo

3. **Treatment of osteoarthritis with Pycnogenol. The SVOS (San Valentino Osteo-arthrosis Study)**
   Phytotherapy Research 2008 · [PMID 18386255](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18386255/) · [DOI 10.1002/ptr.2376](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2376)

   > In the randomized SVOS study, Pycnogenol reduced osteoarthritis symptoms and cut anti-inflammatory drug use by 58% versus 1% with placebo.

4. **Review on Sustained Relief of Osteoarthritis Symptoms with a Proprietary Extract from Pine Bark, Pycnogenol**
   Journal of Medicinal Food 2018 · [PMID 28836883](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28836883/) · [DOI 10.1089/jmf.2017.0015](https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.0015)

   > Across three clinical studies, pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) relieved pain, improved stiffness and mobility, and spared NSAID use in osteoarthritis patients.

5. **Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.**
   Br J Sports Med 2018 · [PMID 29018060](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29018060/) · [DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097333](https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097333)

   > No supplements were identified with clinically important effects on pain reduction at long term.

6. **Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.**
   Eur Heart J 2012 · [PMID 22240497](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22240497/) · [DOI 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr482](https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehr482)

   > In CAD patients, Pycnogenol treatment was associated with an improvement of FMD from 5.3 ± 2.6 to 7.0 ± 3.1 (P < 0.0001), while no change was observed with placebo (5.4 ± 2.4 to 4.7 ± 2.0; P = 0.051).

7. **Endothelium-dependent vascular effects of Pycnogenol.**
   J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 1998 · [PMID 9781917](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9781917/) · [DOI 10.1097/00005344-199810000-00001](https://doi.org/10.1097/00005344-199810000-00001)

   > These results indicate that P, in addition to its antioxidant activity, stimulates constitutive endothelial NOS (eNOS) activity to increase NO levels, which could counteract the vasoconstrictor effects of E and NE.

8. **A review of the French maritime pine bark extract (Pycnogenol), a herbal medication with a diverse clinical pharmacology.**
   Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002 · [PMID 11996210](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11996210/) · [DOI 10.5414/cpp40158](https://doi.org/10.5414/cpp40158)

   > PYC antagonizes the vasoconstriction caused by epinephrine and norepinephrine by increasing the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

9. **Effect of pycnogenol supplementation on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.**
   Phytother Res 2019 · [PMID 31637782](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31637782/) · [DOI 10.1002/ptr.6515](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6515)

   > Pooled analysis suggested that pycnogenol supplementation can reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) of (-3.22 mmHg; 95% CI [-5.52, -0.92]) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; -1.91 mmHg; 95% CI [-3.64, -0.18]).

10. **Effect of Pycnogenol Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.**
    Iran J Public Health 2018 · [PMID 30087862](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30087862/)

    > Compared with the control, the pooled estimate of change in systolic and diastolic BPs were -3.22 mmHg (95% CI: -6.20, -0.24) and -3.11 mmHg (95% CI: -4.60, -1.62), respectively.

11. **Effect of Pycnogenol on Blood Pressure: Findings From a PRISMA Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Studies.**
    Angiology 2019 · [PMID 31763928](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31763928/) · [DOI 10.1177/0003319719889428](https://doi.org/10.1177/0003319719889428)

    > Therefore, the present meta-analysis does not suggest any significant effect of pycnogenol on BP.

12. **Pine bark (Pinus spp.) extract for treating chronic disorders.**
    Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 · [PMID 32990945](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32990945/) · [DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD008294.pub5](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008294.pub5)

    > Small sample sizes, limited numbers of RCTs per condition, variation in outcome measures, and poor reporting of the included RCTs mean no definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy or safety of pine bark extract supplements are possible.

13. **Improvement of erectile function with Prelox: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.**
    Int J Impot Res 2007 · [PMID 17703218](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17703218/) · [DOI 10.1038/sj.ijir.3901597](https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901597)

    > Intake of Pycnogenol for 1 month restored erectile function to normal. Intercourse frequency doubled. e-NOS in spermatozoa and testosterone levels in blood increased significantly.

14. **Investigation of a complex plant extract for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm study.**
    BJU Int 2010 · [PMID 20184576](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20184576/) · [DOI 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.09213.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.09213.x)

    > This study shows that Prelox is effective for improving erectile function, and that this effect persists on continuous therapy for up to 6 months.

15. **Reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes by Pycnogenol supplementation.**
    Nutr Res 2008 · [PMID 19083426](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19083426/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.03.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2008.03.003)

    > After 12 weeks of supplementation, Pycnogenol resulted in improved diabetes control, lowered CVD risk factors, and reduced antihypertensive medicine use vs controls.

16. **Antidiabetic effect of Pycnogenol French maritime pine bark extract in patients with diabetes type II.**
    Life Sci 2004 · [PMID 15363656](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15363656/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.lfs.2003.10.043](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2003.10.043)

    > Supplementation of Pycnogenol to conventional diabetes treatment lowers glucose levels and improves endothelial function.

17. **Pycnogenol® improves cognitive function, attention, mental performance and specific professional skills in healthy professionals aged 35-55.**
    J Neurosurg Sci 2014 · [PMID 24675223](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24675223/)

    > Pycnogenol® supplementation for 12 weeks appears to improve cognitive function and oxidative stress in healthy professionals.

18. **Pycnogenol® supplementation in minimal cognitive dysfunction.**
    J Neurosurg Sci 2018 · [PMID 29754480](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29754480/) · [DOI 10.23736/S0390-5616.18.04382-5](https://doi.org/10.23736/S0390-5616.18.04382-5)

    > In the Pycnogenol® group MMSE score at inclusion was on average 21.64±1.5; after 8 weeks of supplementation, the average MMSE score increased significantly to 25.64±1.4 (P<0.05).

19. **Pleiotropic Effects of French Maritime Pine Bark Extract to Promote Healthy Aging.**
    Rejuvenation Res 2018 · [PMID 30215292](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30215292/) · [DOI 10.1089/rej.2018.2095](https://doi.org/10.1089/rej.2018.2095)

    > The extract reduces oxidative stress and improves endothelial health. Its antithrombotic properties are based on inhibition of platelet aggregation.

20. **The role of Pycnogenol in the control of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic diseases: Molecular aspects.**
    Phytother Res 2022 · [PMID 35583807](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35583807/) · [DOI 10.1002/ptr.7454](https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7454)

    > Pycnogenol (PYC) is a natural compound that could control inflammation and oxidative stress.

21. **Pycnogenol(®) French maritime pine bark extract in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical studies.**
    Frontiers in nutrition 2024 · [PMID 38757130](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38757130/)

    > A manufacturer-affiliated review of 39 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (2,009 participants) summarizes Pycnogenol's human evidence across cardiovascular, joint, cognitive and other outcomes.

22. **Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.**
    Phytotherapy research : PTR 2008 · [PMID 18570266](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18570266/)

    > In 100 patients with knee osteoarthritis, 150 mg/day for 3 months improved WOMAC symptom and pain scores and reduced analgesic use versus placebo.

23. **A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of pycnogenol on plasma lipids.**
    Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics 2014 · [PMID 24346156](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24346156/)

    > A dedicated meta-analysis found small favorable effects of Pycnogenol on plasma LDL and HDL cholesterol.

24. **Efficacy of L-arginine and Pycnogenol ® in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.**
    Frontiers in endocrinology 2023 · [PMID 37908749](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37908749/)

    > A systematic review and meta-analysis found Pycnogenol, mainly as an adjunct with L-arginine, improved erectile-function scores versus control.

## Where to buy

[Search Amazon for Pycnogenol Pine Bark Extract](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Pycnogenol%20Pine%20Bark%20Extract&tag=magellanlong-20) — affiliate search link.

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## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).