The results of the present experiment constitute positive evidence for an in vivo antioxidant effect at the plasma level of procyanidin-containing plant extracts.

HighlightsThe potential systemic toxicity and mutagenicity of Oligopin®, a French Maritime Pine Bark extract, was evaluated.Oligopin® was nongenotoxic in both bacterial and human cell assays.Oligopin® was not acutely toxic and 90 days of oral administration to rats was well tolerated with a NOAEL of 1000 mg/kg/day.The lack of adverse systemic effects in the 90 day study is concordant with findings from human clinical trials.The NOAEL from the 90-day study suggests that Oligopin® is less systemically toxic than other FMPBE evaluated in subchronic studies.

Purpose: To examine the hypothesis that intervention with the polyphenolic complex (PE) from pine bark improves the symptoms of ADHD and reduces oxidative stress in children and adolescent. Methods: It was a randomized, double-blind, crossover and placebo-controlled 10-weeks period study, including two interventional periods (4weeks/period) and one washout period (2 weeks). Data were from 8 participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at ages 7~16 years (seven boys and one girl). During the first interventional period, participants were received a capsule of PE from pine bark, which contain 25mg Oligopin® per capsule, or a capsule of placebo, which contains 25mg cellulose. Then, participants entered the washout period for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks of washout, the participants entered the second interventional period and crossed over to receive an Oligopin® or placebo capsule. Neuropsychological assessment, routine blood biochemical parameter and antioxidative status were carried out in this study. Results: All blood biochemical parameters were normal in the interventional periods. However, the lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased when participants received the PE capsules. Moreover, the participants had a significant higher hit accuracy, inhibition, sustainability in CPT-II performanceduring the PE interventional period. Conclusions: The administration of the polyphenolic extract from pine bark (25 mg/day) for one month might improve the inattention and impulsivity and reduce plasma lipid peroxidation levels in children and adolescent with ADHD.

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine Pinus pinaster (FMPBE) have been studied for a long time and demonstrated various phytopharmaceutical applications. The objectives of this study were to assess the cutaneous lightening and anti-ageing effects of FMPBE after 56 days of consumption, in healthy Asian women. The cosmetic efficacy of the product was assessed through various biometrological evaluations. This randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled and cross-over study evidenced the safety and efficacy of the 100 mg FMPBE supplementation from 28 days of intake: in comparison to placebo, the skin on pigmentary spots became significantly lighter and less red, skin on the face was more firm and its surface was less wrinkled. After 56 days of consumption, the skin was additionally significantly more elastic and the yellow constituent of the skin decreased on the normal skin.Taken together, these results proved that FMPBE supplementation can be considered as an innovative approach to skin whitening and anti-ageing treatments. It represents an interesting alternative to topical products and supports the skin from the inside out.