While pycnogenol might impact cognition or ADHD, the existing evidence is not sufficient to draw any meaningful conclusions.
Both pycnogenol and oligopin (a different standardized extract of French maritime pine bark) have demonstrated mixed and unconvincing results when used in ADHD. Some research has reported reductions in the symptoms of ADHD (e.g., inattentiveness, hyperactivity) in children, but the effects tend to vary based on who is assessing the symptoms and what measurement tool is used.[1][2][3] Pycnogenol does seem to improve antioxidant status in children with ADHD, but whether this is clinically meaningful still needs to be determined.[4][5]
Several trials have assessed the effects of pycnogenol on cognition in a variety of populations, including university students,[6] people with mild cognitive impairment,[7] professionals without apparent health conditions,[8] people with elevated levels of oxidative stress,[9] and elderly individuals.[10] All studies reported improvements in some aspect of cognition (e.g., alertness, memory, attention), but only one study was placebo-controlled, which undermines the validity of these results.
References
- ^Hsu CD, Hsieh LH, Chen YL, Lin IC, Chen YR, Chen CC, Shirakawa H, Yang SCComplementary effects of pine bark extract supplementation on inattention, impulsivity, and antioxidative status in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study.Phytother Res.(2021-Jun)
- ^Trebatická J, Kopasová S, Hradecná Z, Cinovský K, Skodácek I, Suba J, Muchová J, Zitnanová I, Waczulíková I, Rohdewald P, Duracková ZTreatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol.Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry.(2006-Sep)
- ^Dutta T, Anand U, Mitra SS, Ghorai M, Jha NK, Shaikh NK, Shekhawat MS, Pandey DK, Proćków J, Dey APhytotherapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.Front Pharmacol.(2022)
- ^Dvoráková M, Jezová D, Blazícek P, Trebatická J, Skodácek I, Suba J, Iveta W, Rohdewald P, Duracková ZUrinary catecholamines in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): modulation by a polyphenolic extract from pine bark (pycnogenol).Nutr Neurosci.(2007)
- ^Dvoráková M, Sivonová M, Trebatická J, Skodácek I, Waczuliková I, Muchová J, Duracková ZThe effect of polyphenolic extract from pine bark, Pycnogenol on the level of glutathione in children suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Redox Rep.(2006)
- ^Luzzi R, Belcaro G, Zulli C, Cesarone MR, Cornelli U, Dugall M, Hosoi M, Feragalli BPycnogenol® supplementation improves cognitive function, attention and mental performance in studentsPanminerva Med.(2011 Sep)
- ^Hosoi M, Belcaro G, Saggino A, Luzzi R, Dugall M, Feragalli BPycnogenol® supplementation in minimal cognitive dysfunction.J Neurosurg Sci.(2018-Jun)
- ^Belcaro G, Luzzi R, Dugall M, Ippolito E, Saggino APycnogenol® improves cognitive function, attention, mental performance and specific professional skills in healthy professionals aged 35-55.J Neurosurg Sci.(2014-Dec)
- ^Belcaro G, Dugall M, Ippolito E, Hu S, Saggino A, Feragalli BThe COFU3 Study. Improvement in cognitive function, attention, mental performance with Pycnogenol® in healthy subjects (55-70) with high oxidative stress.J Neurosurg Sci.(2015-Dec)
- ^Ryan J, Croft K, Mori T, Wesnes K, Spong J, Downey L, Kure C, Lloyd J, Stough CAn examination of the effects of the antioxidant Pycnogenol on cognitive performance, serum lipid profile, endocrinological and oxidative stress biomarkers in an elderly population.J Psychopharmacol.(2008-Jul)