Pycnogenol® pine bark extract may have a higher efficacy than cranberry extract in preventing recurrent urinary tract infections and cystitis

This open pilot registry study was conducted on 64 subjects with previous, recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) or interstitial cystitis (IC) receiving standard management (SM, control), 150 mg/d Pycnogenol® (pine bark extract) or 400 mg/d cranberry extract for 60 days.

Results indicate that the incidence of UTI symptoms decreased significantly in all groups but the improvement in patients supplemented with Pycnogenol® was superior to control and to cranberry (p < 0.05). At the end of the study, all subjects in the Pycnogenol® group were infection-free (p < 0.05 vs. control and cranberry).

Significantly more subjects were completely symptom-free after 2 months of management with Pycnogenol® (20/22) than with SM (18/22) and cranberry (16/20).

In conclusion, Pycnogenol® pine bark extract supplementation possibly decreases the occurrence of UTIs and IC without side effects and with an efficacy superior to cranberry.

Ledda A, Hu S, Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Dugall M, Feragalli B, Cotellese R, Hosoi M, Ippolito E, Corsi M, Luzzi R. Pycnogenol® Supplementation Prevents Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections/Inflammation and Interstitial Cystitis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2021 Jun 23;2021:9976299.

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