Pycnogenol Eases Side Effects from Chemo and Radiation

Pycnogenol®, a proprietary antioxidant complex obtained from French maritime pine bark, can significantly reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation in cancer patients.

Gianni Belcaro, MD, PhD, of Gabriele D'Annunzio University, Italy, and his colleagues asked cancer patients who had previously undergone surgery to take either 50 mg of Pycnogenol or placebos three times daily for two months.

Thirty-four chemotherapy patients took Pycnogenol, 30 took placebos. Meanwhile, 25 radiation therapy patients took Pycnogenol, and 21 took placebos. Patients were being treated for a variety of cancers, including cancers of the colon and rectum, liver, stomach, kidneys, and lungs.

The researchers reported that chemo patients who took Pycnogenol had drug side effects that were half as severe as those taking placebos. Most of the reductions in symptoms were related to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss.

Patients undergoing radiation therapy and taking Pycnogenol benefited from reduced ulceration and soreness of the mouth, as well as less nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, water retention, and weakness.

In addition, the incidence of blood clots was significantly lower among people taking Pycnogenol, compared with those taking placebos.

Belcaro and his colleagues wrote that Pycnogenol may have "considerable potential for lowering side effects during cancer therapy which may significantly contribute to a less affected quality of life."

The researchers could not determine whether the supplements interfered with the cancer therapies.

Reference: Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, Genovesi D, et al. “Pycnogenol® may alleviate adverse effects in oncologic treatment.” Panminerva Medica, 2008;50:227-234.