ABSTRACT
Pycnogenol is commonly suggested to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases and also as a therapeutic alternative to established pharmacology for mild pathological conditions of blood vessels. The rationale behind this is the link between cardiovascular disease and free radical-induced stress. However, besides its strong antioxidant capacity, pycnogenol has been reported to have other activities related to cardiovascular functionality, such as a
vasorelaxant activity
,
inhibition
of
angiotensin-converting enzyme
(see Figure 119), and the ability to
enhance microcirculation
by
increasing capillary resistance
. Pycnogenol effects on circulation can be seen as the outcome of two different
activities: relaxation of arterial walls and increase of capillary resistance. The combination of these effects results in an increase of peripheral blood flow and a facilitation of the microcirculation. Early studies suggested a strong vasoactivity of
procyanidins
extracted from sources such as
wine
and
grape seed
, which have recently been confirmed for pycnogenol.
