Pine Bark Extract and Male Health

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Posted: 21 Sep 2014 08:00 AM PDT

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Pine bark, botanical name Pinus pinaster, is a maritime pine native to southwest France, also growing in countries along the western Mediterranean. The many health-supportive properties of pine is found mainly in the outer bark. These compounds are often extracted from the bark in a way that doesn't destroy or damage the tree. It is often used in aromatherapy and diluted in oil as a topical application.

History

The origin of the use of various tree barks for approaching health is thought to date back to 1535 when French explorer Jacques Cartier landed in what is now modern day Quebec, Canada. Being winter, no fruits or vegetables were available. Ship crew became ill and began dying from what we now know as scurvy, a Vitamin C deficiency. Natives taught explorers to use local tree bark as a tea for the scurvy. Apparently it worked. It turns out that tree bark is rich in Vitamin C and other nutritive and phytochemical properties. ^[1]

Around 1951, a French researcher named Jacques Masquelier came upon Cartier’s accounts of using regional tree bark extracts for his crew. Inspired, a quest began to find the active components in these various tree barks that imparted healing properties. Masquelier found that the most powerful active phytochemical ingredients were from the tree bark of a European coastal pine, Pinus pinaster (formerly maritima). His extraction process was patented and the compound named Pycnogenol.

Indigenous peoples and cultures have historically used Pine bark extract for conditions involving circulation insufficiency, swelling and inflammation of tissues, vision issues, and even as an approach to arthritis. Researchers have found key phytochemical constituents — flavonoids, procyanidins, and proanthocyanidins — inherent in pine bark extract (Pycnogenol). All of these compounds exert the majority of pine bark's health benefits. ^[2] ^[3]

Pine Bark Extract and How It Benefits Male Health

Here's a quick look at some of the exciting research to date on the benefits of pine bark extract for men's health.

Prostate Cancer

One investigative study was conducted to see whether the proanthocyanidins found in pine bark extract exerted effects on prostate cancer cells. Researchers tested and measured prostate cells applied with pine bark extract via cancer markers such as cell proliferation, apoptosis (oncogene cell death), and cell cycle status. Pine bark extract was found to exert powerful effects on the LNCaP line of prostate cancer cells. The extract was shown to reduce proliferation of harmful cells and even promote apoptosis, or cell death, via downregulation of the expression of the androgen receptors. ^[4]

Male Infertility

A study conducted for 3 months regarding male infertility looked at a group of subfertile men who supplemented with Pycnogenol daily. The researchers found that sperm morphology increased significantly – an impressive 38% improvement. Assessments concluded that pine bark extract may be a safe, effective, and less-invasive alternative to in-vitro fertilization, among other more expensive, risky therapies. Overall, male fertility and function was improved significantly during this study simply by using pine bark extract. ^[5]

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study (the gold standard of studies) was conducted to investigate the effects, if any, of a combination supplement containing Pycnogenol on erectile dysfunction. The study participants were divided equally into a Pycnogenol-containing supplement group and a placebo group.

At the conclusion of the study, men supplementing with the pine bark extract saw a significant 56% reduction in erectile function and associated markers compared with just 21% improvement in the placebo group. Total testosterone levels were found to have risen 16% in the supplemented group compared to an inconsequential 3% increase in the placebo group. ^[6]

Researchers have concluded that pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) is believed to have a direct effect in stimulating nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells in the body which line the smooth muscle of the male reproductive organs. This in turn may have a very powerful effect on endothelial dysfunction, not just erectile dysfunction. ^[7]

Bottom Line

Pine bark extract has been one of the superstars of safe, effective, and diverse health approaches over the centuries. As future research studies are conducted on this potent natural remedy, its promise and application will continue to expand. Regarding male health benefits, pine bark extract may be a beneficial, can’t-miss addition to your supplement regimen.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM