ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Panminerva Medica 2018 June;60(2):65-9

DOI: 10.23736/S0031-0808.18.03419-5

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Pycnogenol® supplementation improves the control of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms

Gianni BELCARO ^{1, 2} ✉, Giuseppe GIZZI ^{1, 2}, Luciano PELLEGRINI ^{1, 2}, Beatrice FERAGALLI ^{1, 2}, Roberto COTELLESE ^{1, 2}, Marisa CACCHIO ^{1, 2}, Marcello CORSI ^{1, 2}

¹ IRVINE3 Labs, Chieti-Pescara University, Chieti, Italy; ² International Agency for Pharma Standard Supplements (IAPPS), Chieti, Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this registry was to evaluate the effects of Pycnogenol® on the main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in otherwise healthy individuals.
METHODS: This study included 77 healthy individuals with symptoms of IBS. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 was treated with Buscopan (10 mg when needed), group 2 (Antispasmina col forte; 50 mg papaverine hydrochloride+10 mg belladonna extract when needed) and 3 (Pycnogenol® 150 mg/day) for 3 weeks.
RESULTS: The number of painful attacks was comparable in all groups after four weeks. Mild pain on manual abdomen pressure was decreased in all groups, with the improvement in the Pycnogenol® group significantly more pronounced that in both control groups (P<0.05). Perceived abdominal bowel movements/distension were significantly relieved in group 2 (Antispasmina Col Forte) and 3 (Pycnogenol®) (P<0.05) in comparison with Buscopan (group 1).
CONCLUSIONS: Pycnogenol® has shown a significant, protective and preventive activity on IBS symptoms, and thus it may represent a potential “soft” approach to IBS.

KEY WORDS: Irritable bowel syndrome - Dietary supplements - Clinical study - Pycnogenol®