Pycnogenol possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasoactive properties that may beneficially impact various health conditions. Despite some promising results, most health outcomes are supported by just a handful of small trials, and many of the existing trials have a high risk of bias.
Pycnogenol may reduce the signs and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (e.g., leg pain, heaviness, and edema; venous ulcers; microangiopathy)[1][2][3][4] and reduce leg edema and blood clot risk during long-duration air travel (although the latter has only been observed in a single trial).[5][6]
Short-term (≤3 months) trials have found that pycnogenol may reduce pain, improve physical functioning, and reduce the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in people with osteoarthritis.[7][8][9][10] Interestingly, research suggests that some compounds in pycnogenol can enter the synovial fluid in joints, where they may act locally to reduce inflammation and inhibit the breakdown of collagen.[11][12][13]