Key findings from detailed records
In 23 patients with stable coronary artery disease, Pycnogenol 200 mg/day for 8 weeks improved flow-mediated dilation, a measure of blood-vessel function, versus placebo. The estimated difference was 2.75 percentage points. This was added to standard treatment and did not test prevention of heart attacks.
KNOWLEDGE RECORD
- Category
- Metabolism and cellular function
- Last Reviewed
Names and related search termsPycnogenol / Pycnogenol / Pycnogenol® / French maritime pine bark extract
Study type: human intervention study.
OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
Scientific Evidence Profile
Assessment pending
An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.
This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.
How we assess evidenceIngredient Profile
- What material is being studied?
- Pycnogenol is the name of a particular pine-bark extract used in the cited trial. It is a defined research material, not a generic name for every pine-bark preparation. [1]
Sources for this profile
Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.
- Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Identity and preparation checked against the study abstract. Funding details are not verified for this profile source. Conflict-of-interest details are not verified here.
Profile sources checked:
Read the evidence in context
- Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
- Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
- Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.
Why It Matters #
Is a change in vascular function equivalent to fewer cardiovascular events? Check the detailed records for study conditions and use the literature map to compare other populations and outcomes.
What Was Studied #
23 patients with stable coronary artery disease completed the trial Randomized, double-blind crossover trial. Outcomes: Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and other measures[1]
What Was Found #
Estimated difference in FMD versus placebo: 2.75 percentage points (95% CI 1.75–3.75, as reported in the abstract). Blood pressure, inflammatory markers and some other measures did not change.[1]
What the Evidence Means #
Small, short-term study of a surrogate measure in people with disease. It does not apply to all pine bark extracts.[1]
Comparing similar populations, formulations, durations and outcomes helps identify where findings agree and where they differ.
What We Can Learn #
Check ingredient specifications and outcomes. Research on a branded ingredient does not imply its adoption by LÍFSVARÐA or a partnership with that brand.
What Remains Unknown #
Further questions include reproducibility across populations and formulations, and the long-term balance of benefits and harms. Use the literature map as a starting point for these questions.
LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS
Compare papers by conditions and findings.
A literature map covering different populations, outcomes and formulations. Read alongside detailed records to avoid treating one trial as the conclusion for an entire ingredient.
Selected: 2026-09-21. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. Editorial selection considered major papers and a range of populations and questions. This is not a systematic search covering all recent research.
10 RECORDS
A dash marks fields outside the bibliographic record. Use detailed records to compare findings and design records to connect mechanisms.
No papers match. Change the search conditions.
The literature map is an index of research questions and references. Individual assessment of results, doses, funding and COI is limited to the detailed study records. Related reports from the same trial may be included; paper counts are not counts of independent trials.
Explore the research Study Records
Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.
Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.
PubMed 22240497DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehr482
- Authors
- Enseleit F, Sudano I, Périat D, Winnik S, Wolfrum M, Flammer AJ, Fröhlich GM, Kaiser P, Hirt A, Haile SR, Krasniqi N, Matter CM, Uhlenhut K, Högger P, Neidhart M, Lüscher TF, Ruschitzka F, Noll G.
- Journal
- European heart journal
- Publication year
- 2012
- Study design
- Randomized, double-blind crossover trial
- Participants
- 23 patients with stable coronary artery disease completed the trial
- Dose and intervention
- Pycnogenol 200 mg/day, added to standard treatment
- Duration
- 8 weeks per condition, separated by a 2-week washout
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and other measures
- Findings
- Estimated difference in FMD versus placebo: 2.75 percentage points (95% CI 1.75–3.75, as reported in the abstract). Blood pressure, inflammatory markers and some other measures did not change.
- Limitations
- Small, short-term study of a surrogate measure in people with disease. It does not apply to all pine bark extracts.
- Funding
- Supported by an unrestricted grant from Horphag Research (UK).
- Conflict of Interest
- The paper declares no conflicts of interest.
- Scope of source review
- Original article PDF checked for funding and COI; population, regimen and results cross-checked with the original abstract.
Cite this page
LÍFSVARÐA. Pycnogenol: Is a change in vascular function equivalent to fewer cardiovascular events? Version 1.1 / Updated 2026-10-24
https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/pycnogenol/Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand).Editorial policy
Sources and updates
- Enseleit F, Sudano I, Périat D, Winnik S, Wolfrum M, Flammer AJ, Fröhlich GM, Kaiser P, Hirt A, Haile SR, Krasniqi N, Matter CM, Uhlenhut K, Högger P, Neidhart M, Lüscher TF, Ruschitzka F, Noll G. (2012). Effects of Pycnogenol on endothelial function in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.Original article PDF checked for funding and COI; population, regimen and results cross-checked with the original abstract.
First published: 2026-09-21 / Version 1.1. Updated 2026-09-23: Added a research comparison table and links to design records. Source notes identify the scope of verification when the full paper has not been reviewed. Research summaries and LÍFSVARÐA’s interpretation are distinguished.