Pycnogenol® inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells

Abstract

Oxygen derived free radicals are now increasingly regarded as a primary force of tissue destruction and also have the ability to release histamine from mast cells. Pycnogenol is an extract of the bark of French maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) containing bioflavonoids with a potent ability to scavenge free radicals. Therefore Pycnogenol was investigated for inhibition of histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. In addition, its effects were compared with sodium cromoglycate, a known inhibitor of histamine release from the mast cell. Rat peritoneal mast cells were isolated and purified by differential centrifugation and cells pooled from 3-4 animals were suspended at approximately 10(6) cells/mL buffered salt solution. Histamine release was induced by compound 48/80 or the calcium ionophore A-23187 and estimated from supernatant following extraction and by fluorimetric methods. Pycnogenol produced a concentration dependent inhibition of histamine release induced by the two secretagogues. Its inhibitory effect on mast cell histamine release was favourably comparable to sodium cromoglycate.

The effect of Pycnogenol on fluoride induced rat kidney lysosomal damage in vitro

“…Lipid peroxidation by-products can modify membrane protein function (Mooradian et al, 1994) and there is evidence that pycnogenol in addition to its antioxidant action, can also protect biomembranes from damage caused by lipid peroxidation by-products such as malondialdehyde (MDA) (Kim et al, 2000). Recent animal studies have shown that pycnogenol can inhibit histamine release from mast cells induced by compound 48/80 and Ionophore A-23187 (Sharma et al, 2003a) both of which are initiators of free radical formation (Akagi et al, 1998). Pycnogenol can also reduce cell toxicity caused by anti-tumour drugs (Feng et al, 2002) and protect G6PD (glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase) deficent human erythrocytes against haemolytic injury caused by ROS forming agents (Sharma et al, 2003b).…”

Pycnogenol® inhibits immunoglobulin E‐mediated allergic response in mast cells

“…Although Sharma et al (2003) previously demonstrated that PYC inhibits histamine release from the mast cells triggered by compound 48/80 or ionophore A23187, the direct effect of PYC on IgE-mediated mast cell activation still remains unknown. In the present study, PYC was tested in a murine model of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.…”

“…Consequently, various acute and chronic allergic responses are induced by these mediators. Pycnogenol ® (PYC), isolated from French maritime pine (Pinus maritima) bark extract, is a standardized extract composed of a mixture of flavonoids, including procyanidins and phenolic acids (Sharma et al, 2003). PYC is now utilized throughout the world as a nutritional supplement and as a phytochemical remedy for various diseases ranging from chronic inflammation to circulatory dysfunction.…”

Pycnogenol® prevents haemolytic injury in G6PD deficient human erythrocytes

“…However t-BHP also has the ability to inhibit Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ ATPase in the erythrocyte membrane (Moore et al, 1990) and calcium pump ATPase in the intact erythrocyte (Rohn et al, 1993).). While it is not known if Ca 2+ or K + transport across the membrane plays a crucial role in t-BHP induced haemolytic changes in the G6PD deficient erythrocyte our recent studies on mast cells have indicated that Pycnogenol ® may have the ability to affect the transport of these ions across a biological membrane (Sharma et al, 2002).…”