A new study has shown that Pycnogenol(R), an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, can reduce painful ankle swelling (oedemas), a major side effect of medicines taken by patients with hypertension.

The study of 53 patients, published in the journal of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/ Hemostasis, found that Pycnogenol(R) reduced ankle swelling by over a third in patients taking ACE inhibitors and nifedipine, medicines commonly used to treat hypertension. These findings are important as more than 35 percent of patients taking antihypertensive medications are believed to suffer from painful and swollen legs (oedema) as a side-effect.

"Antihypertensive medications reduce pressure by inhibiting constriction of blood vessels," explains one of the study’s authors, Dr. Belcaro, from G D’annunzio University in Italy. "In order to avoid blood pooling in the lower legs and feet, blood vessel diameters must adjust when a person changes positions from laying down to standing up. Results of this study show Pycnogenol(R) to improve blood circulation, avoiding blood pools and reducing oedema."

After an eight week Pycnogenol(R) treatment, patients treated with ACE inhibitors and nifedipine experienced a 35 & 36 percent decrease of ankle swelling respectively. Furthermore, Pycnogenol(R) has a blood pressure-lowering effect itself and thus helps to achieve a healthy cardiovascular system.

Dr Patricia Macnair, Physician, Royal County Surrey Hospital commented "Oedema is a huge problem for many patients with hypertension as it causes their legs to become swollen and painful. Doctors see patients everyday with this debilitating condition, particularly those treated with calcium channel blockers."

Pycnogenol(R) was chosen for the study because it has demonstrated its effectiveness with conditions such as oedema, DVT and blood circulation improvement in many clinical trials. In 2005, a study published in Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis showed Pycnogenol(R) to be effective in reducing oedema during long airplane flights lasting 7-12 hours. More than 35 years of research exhibiting Pycnogenol’s(R) effectiveness for improved blood circulation and cardiovascular health can be found at pycnogenol.

Belcara et al. Control of oedema in hypertensive subjects treated with calcium antagonist (nifedipine) or angiotenin-converting enzyme inhibitors with Pycnogenol(R). Clin Appl Thromb Hemost, 2006; 12(4): 440-4

Study details

The study sampled 53 hypertensive patients at the G D’annunzio University in Italy. All patients suffered from oedema of their ankles and feet as a result of antihypertensive medications and were taking medications at the same dosage for at least four months. Twenty-three patients were being treated with ACE inhibitors (brand names Mavik(R), Altace(R)) and 30 patients were being treated with nifedipine (calcium channel blockers) (brand names Adalat(R), Procardia(R)).


The eight week study sampled 27 patients with 150mg Pycnogenol(R) treatment per day versus an equivalent dosage of placebo for the remaining 26 patients.

Blood vessels causing oedema of the lower legs were measured using a strain gauge plethysmography (a general instrument for determining and registering variations in the size of an organ or limb). Patients were first measured in supine position then while standing up.


About Pycnogenol(R)

Pycnogenol(R) 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 35 years and has more than 220 published studies and review articles ensuring safety and efficacy as an ingredient. Today, Pycnogenol(R) is available in more than 600 dietary supplements, multi-vitamins and health products worldwide.

For more information or a copy of this study, visit:
pycnogenol.