Antioxidant Activity of Pycnogenol

One of the earliest studies addressing the antioxidant activity of various procyanidins in vitro reported strong scavenging activity against free radicals such as the stable radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and the oxygen free radicals O-2 and HO, as assessed by ESR spectroscopy. 

The effects of pycnogenol on circulation can be seen as the outcome of two different activities — relaxation of arterial walls and increase of capillary resistance. The combination of these effects results in an increase of peripheral blood flow and a facilitation of microcirculation. Early studies suggested a strong vasoactivity of procyanidins extracted from sources such as wine and grape seed, which have recently been confirmed for pycnogenol. 

Pycnogenol inhibits platelet aggregation induced by cigarette smoking without the adverse effect on bleeding time that characterizes aspirin use. 

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